Administrative Law Topics: PTAL (Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter)

California Medical Board Postgraduate Training Licenses

by Stephen M. Boreman on May 11, 2022

Before January 2020, medical residents in California attending Medical Board-approved postgraduate training programs did not need a physician and surgeon's license until their third year of residency training. An exception was foreign medical graduates who were required to have a Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter or "PTAL". Foreign graduates also needed two years of approved training in order to receive a Physician and Surgeon's Certificate. Domestic and Canadian residents only needed to complete one year of training.

PTAL (Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter) Extension Granted.

by Stephen M. Boreman on June 14, 2010

A foreign medical school graduate hoping for a Residency Match in California nearly lost her eligibility when the Medical Board denied a routine extension of her PTAL (Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter)  The board's denial was based on an allegation that she had improperly seen or treated patients while serving as a student-observer under the direction of faculty at a California medical school.  After the applicant contacted Slote  & Links, attorney Steve Boreman sought documentation from the supervising faculty member for submission to the Board.  Despite documentation showing