Obtaining+Medical+License+Info


 * //How to get your license in 20 (or so) easy steps…//**

This is a basic outline of when and how to apply for Step 3, a license, and an NPI/DEA number. Please take a deep breath and **read it all the way through before starting** to get an idea of all of the steps. It can be trying, but chip away at it a little bit at a time and you will have your license shortly after starting your second year. This may not be all inclusive, so be sure to ask those of us who have gone through it if you have any more questions!

__FALL OF INTERN YEAR - Step 3__ -Start to think about when to take step 3. This needs to be done during a vacation block in the winter/spring sometime. The test is only two days, so you can still take vacation that block if you want.

__APPLY for Step 3__ -You have to apply 3 months before you want to take it, and it will cost ~ $815. You can get reimbursed once you have your passing score, so keep your receipt! This reimbursement comes out of your CME money. FAQ // [|http://www.fsmb.org/licensure/usmle-step-3/faq#g3] //

@https://s1.fsmb.org/ESOL/ ---application website

(fyi, CA is under "medical board of california" so it's easy to gloss by in the drop down list) @http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_forms.html ---ID form that needs to be notarized

You will need to get your passport photo notarized (save that spare passport photo for your license application - or ask the residency office if they can print your interview day photo). JoAnn in the residency office is a notary public. Make sure to bring a valid driver's license or passport. When all this is done, your certificate will get released and you can schedule the test.

__Test Info__ The test takes 2 days (for MD, one day for DO). Day one is all day 8am-4pm or so. Day two is 4 blocks of regular 45min testing blocks and then the weird cases. Be sure to do the practice cases that you can download online. They are not hard, just a little strange.

__Fall/WINTER OF INTERN YEAR (or even earlier) - License__ -**Apply for your license!** Taking step 3 IS NOT a pre-requisite to starting this process, and it has multiple steps (including getting forms from your medical school – which can take some time). //You don't even need to have all the components to start the application//. The last thing the application needs is a letter signed by Dr. Moeller stating you have successfully completed your first year, and that should be the rate limiting step (these are the L3/L4 forms and Tami takes care of them automatically; they are submitted to the Board the first week in July). Fill out as much as you can and send it in, and get your medical school to send everything in so that as soon as intern year is over your application will be complete. So when you're bored in the fall/winter one day and have extra cash to shell out, start the application! Again, you must have proof of your license before you get reimbursed, so SAVE all receipts. The total price will add up to about $905. **You are in a training program so you qualify for the cheaper fees – read carefully!** (License fees are reimbursed by the County, __not__ your CME money)

__To apply for your license (multiple part process):__

1. Fill out this form--it's 21 pages, but most of it are the instructions. If something isn't obvious, just read the instructions- annoying, but that is why they are there. []

Also, the FAQs are __very__ helpful: []

1a. For DO applicants: not the same Board as MD applicants! []

2. You can submit the other part of your application online here:

@http://www.dca.ca.gov/proflic/medicalbd.shtml -- -click professional licensing login on the left

3. There is more stuff that needs to be notarized (more passport photos) and dropped off to the residency office for Dr. Moeller to sign. Notary info as above and the office knows what to do with your form.

4. You will also need to get your USMLE transcripts. It is easiest to do this online and send them electronically from this website and will cost about $50.

@http://www.fsmb.org/transcripts.html

5. You will need to have a form sent from your medical school saying that you graduated in good standing. Fill out the top portion and call your med school office of student affairs/registrar to find out where they want you to fax it. They will know what you’re talking about since every state has a similar form and all graduates do this every year.

6. You will also need a copy of your transcripts from your medical school sent directly to the state.

7. You will need a certified copy of your diploma from your medical school--usually the bursar or registrar handles this. Alternatively, you can send the state your actual diploma along with a copy and they'll mail it back to you.

8. Finally you'll need to get fingerprinted (hopefully you did this ahead of time when you got fingerprinted for the county). If you submit online and pay the $905, that will include the cost of the livescan fingerprints. The state will send you the correct forms to take to the fingerprinting place. One option is:

WALNUT CREEK - UY1 Live Scan Services 1485 Treat Blvd, Suite 101 Walnut Creek, CA 94597 (925) 948-5254 vk@loansettler.com M-F (9:30am-5:30pm) You can also go to this website below to find other places that might be closer to you:

http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm#contracosta

9. Once you've submitted your application, **please go to this website** to check the status: []

The first letter you get from the state confirming that they got your application will have an ATS number on it that will allow you to login and check on the status.

Apply for a DEA (for prescribing), NPI (medicare Rx number/billing), and CURES (this is required and very helpful).
 * __AFTER YOU GET YOUR LICENSE__**

1. **NPI:** Go to the website and fill out the form, you should get your NPI within minutes to a few days. @https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=static.npistart When you apply for your NPI, you will get a __confirmatory email – you need to keep this__ for getting your Medicare/Medical billing set up with CA. You will get a packet of paperwork from our County Finance offices to sign you up so the County can bill for your services, usually a few months after you get your license/NPI.

2. **DEA**- another online application [|http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugreg/reg_apps/onlineforms_new.htm]

//__DEA IS FREE__//. You are exempt because you are a government employee. The form—with the commas—is slightly confusing, but the continuously updating help on the left actually helps! Personal information (Page 2):
 * Please contact the Residency Office for the information to fill this portion out. If you do not, you will be billed several hundred dollars that are __not__ reimbursable.**

//[]//
 * 3. CURES -** another online application! REQUIRED by law for anyone with a DEA

You can do it! It is a lot of busy paperwork, but so satisfying once you can sign your own prescriptions. Here is a common timeframe (+/- a few months) to get your license at the beginning of your second year:
 * __SUMMARY__**


 * Fall**: Start the application process! Open an application, contact your medical school for your diploma/graduation certification/transcript, and get fingerprinted.


 * December**: Submit step 3 application.


 * February**: Take step 3.


 * April**: Submit finalized application for license (i.e., start this process EARLY to give your medical school time to get the stuff in!)


 * July 21st**: Receive your license!

Once you get your license: Apply for DEA, NPI, and CURES

After you have everything, bring the originals to Credentialing in the Medical Staff office to get scanned into Epic, get e-prescribing and have her e-mail a copy to Tami so it is on file for our various activities (including CHO second year) and she can get you a stamp! (or bring everything to Tami and she will get it to the Med Staff office). CONGRATS AND GOOD LUCK! //Leah//