Article 9 - Examinations

California Business and Professions Code — §§ 2170-2186

Sections (9)

Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1313, Sec. 2.

(a)All applicants for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate shall take the examination provided for in this article unless provisions of this chapter otherwise provide.

(b)The provisions of this article shall apply to all examinations administered by the Division of Licensing unless provisions of this chapter otherwise provide.

§ 2171

Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 983, Sec. 3.

All examinations shall be designed to ascertain the applicant’s fitness to practice medicine. Unless otherwise provided the examination shall be in writing.

§ 2175

Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 308, Sec. 22. (SB 819) Effective January 1, 2010.

State examination records shall be kept on file by the board until June 1, 2070. Examinees shall be known and designated by number only, and the name attached to the number shall be kept secret until the examinee is sent notification of the results of the examinations.

§ 2176

Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 983, Sec. 5.

Examinations for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate may be conducted by the Division of Licensing under a uniform examination system, and for that purpose the division may make such arrangements with organizations furnishing examination material as it may deem desirable.

The Division of Licensing may, in its discretion, designate other written examinations for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate that the division determines are equivalent to any other written examination for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate conducted by the division.

§ 2177

Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 612, Sec. 1. (AB 359) Effective October 7, 2021.

(a)A passing score is required for an entire examination or for each part of an examination, as established by resolution of the board.

(b)Applicants may elect to take the written examinations conducted or accepted by the board in separate parts.

(c)(1) An applicant shall have obtained a passing score on all parts of Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination within not more than four attempts in order to be eligible for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate.

(2)Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an applicant who obtains a passing score on all parts of Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination in more than four attempts and who meets the requirements of Section 2135 or 2135.5 shall be eligible to be considered for issuance of a physician’s and surgeon’s

certificate.

§ 2179

Repealed and added by Stats. 1984, Ch. 889, Sec. 4.

The Division of Licensing shall insure that nutrition is included on the examination for a certificate as a physician and surgeon.

§ 2183

Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 440, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2001.

An applicant for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate shall pass the national examination for medical licensure in biomedical sciences and clinical sciences, including geriatric medicine, determined by the Division of Licensing to be essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine.

An applicant who applies for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate on or after January 1, 2004, shall have completed coursework in geriatric medicine in medical school or in postgraduate medical education training.

§ 2184

Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 799, Sec. 11. (SB 1575) Effective January 1, 2013.

(a)Each applicant shall obtain on the written examination a passing score, established by the board pursuant to Section 2177.

(b)(1) Passing scores on each step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination shall be valid for a period of 10 years from the month of the examination for purposes of qualification for licensure in California.

(2)The period of validity provided for in paragraph (1) may be extended by the board for any of the following:

(A)For good cause.

(B)For time spent in a postgraduate training program, including, but not limited to, residency training, clinical training, fellowship training, remedial or refresher training, or other training that is intended to maintain or improve medical skills.

(C)For an applicant who is a physician and surgeon in another state or a Canadian province who is currently and actively practicing medicine in that state or province.

(3)Upon expiration of the 10-year period plus any extension granted by the board under paragraph (2), the applicant shall pass the Special Purpose Examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards or a clinical competency written examination determined by the board to be equivalent.

§ 2186

Added by Stats. 1980, Ch. 1313, Sec. 2.

An applicant who is a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners shall not be required to take the written examination prescribed by this article, provided such applicant meets the requirements of Section 2151.