There are 11,707 osteopathic physicians in California—the highest number in the country—and their demand is expected to grow in the future. This means that if you’re looking to practice osteopathy, California can be a good choice.
To be able to do that, you need to obtain a medical license from the Osteopathic Medical Board of California (OMBC). Let’s discuss the different license types and requirements for getting an osteopathic license in the state.
Key Takeaways
- California has 11,707 osteopathic physicians, with demand expected to grow.
- Licenses offered include Postgraduate Training, Unrestricted, and Temporary Physician certificates.
- Requirements include COCA-accredited education, COMLEX exams, background checks, and transcripts.
- Unrestricted licenses take up to six months; PTL takes 1-2 months to process.
Table of Contents
Licenses Offered by the Osteopathic Medical Board of California
The OMBC offers the following types of licenses to DO applicants:
1. Osteopathic Postgraduate Training License (PTL)
The California Medical Board requires every osteopathy graduate from a board-approved medical school who has been accepted in an ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program to have a postgraduate training license (PTL) within 180 days of enrolling in that program.
As of 2024, PTL licenses are valid for 36 months instead of 12, after a resident has gotten 12 months credit of board-approved postgraduate training.
2. Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon Certificate (Unrestricted)
Applicants who have completed 36 months of postgraduate training are required to get a full, unrestricted osteopathic physician and surgeons (P&S) certificate before practicing medicine in California.
This license is valid for two years—renewable every other year in your birth month.
3. Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon Certificate (Temporary)
Physicians are qualified to apply for a temporary P&S license if they:
- Are married to/in a legal union with an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Hold an active and unrestricted medical license in another U.S. state
- Hold an active postgraduate license in another state
This license is valid for 12 months or until the full P&S or PTL license is issued, whichever occurs first.
Osteopathic Medical Board of California Licensing Requirements
Here are the requirements for the three types of osteopathic medical licensure in California:
1. Osteopathic Postgraduate Training License
Applicants applying for a PTL license must meet the following requirements:
- COCA-accredited medical school diploma
- Proof of enrollment in a 12-month postgraduate training program
- Completion of the COMLEX-USA exam (Levels 1-2)
- Certified transcripts
- Fingerprint clearance
- DOJ and FBI background check
2. Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon Certificate (Unrestricted)
The requirements for an unrestricted physician and surgeon certificate in California include:
- COCA-accredited medical school diploma and certified transcript
- 12 months of postgraduate training
- Completion of all three levels of NBOME/COMLEX
- Fingerprints through a Live Scan (if living within the state) or fingerprint cards (if living outside the state). Results from the manual process can take up to 16 weeks
- SSN/ITIN
- Notarized application for the license
- Verification of license in every state in which you have previously been fully licensed
3. Osteopathic Physician and Surgeon Certificate (Temporary)
If you’re applying for a temporary physician and surgeon certification, you’ll need to provide the following for licensure:
- Graduated from a COCA-accredited osteopathic medical school
- 12 months of postgraduate training credit from an ACGME/AOA program (this should include at least four months of general medicine with direct patient care responsibility)
- Completed three levels of the COMLEX-USA exam
How Long Does It Take to Get an Osteopathic Medical Board of California License?
Applications for the unrestricted P&S certificate can take up to six months to be reviewed and approved. This does not include the time it takes to collect all documentation and apply for the license.
In contrast, a PTL typically takes around one to two months to get approved. The good news is your application can be expedited if you:
- Are an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Have been accepted to work in a formally designated underserved area and/or with an underserved population
- Intend to provide abortions within the scope of your license
- Have a spouse who is an active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Were admitted as a refugee to the U.S., granted asylum by the Attorney General/Secretary of Homeland Security, or have a special immigrant visa (Si/SQ)
Let Physicians Thrive Assist You in Your California Osteopathy Journey
If you want to practice osteopathic medicine in California, you need to make an effort to fulfill all the requirements. But while getting your license is essential, negotiating the best employment terms is also important for long-term success. This is where we come in.
At Physicians Thrive, we help physicians manage their expenses, plan their finances, and negotiate contracts that pay them what they’re worth. Ready to get the support you need? Reach out to us today!
