Overview: Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) or California Letter Application

The Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (PTAL) or California Letter is a document that allows International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to start their training in a residency program in California. IMGs must have this document to be eligible for a residency position in California. The process to obtain this document ranges from 3 months to more than one year.

I.- Who can apply for a PTAL or California Letter?

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) or Medical students from medical schools recognized by the Medical Board of California, otherwise do not waste your time. If your school is not recognized, you will not receive the PTAL.

Note: If your medical school appears on the International Medical Education Directory (IMED), it does not mean that your school is recognized by the Medical Board of California.

Example:

• Peruvian medical schools on IMED: 30
  
• Peruvian medical schools recognized by the Medical Board of California: 7
  

Click this link to make sure you school is approved by the Medical Board of California.

II.- When to apply?

You have to apply as soon as you consider California as one of your top choices for a residency program. The PTAL is a document required by all residency programs in California to consider your ERAS application for the MATCH completed. Without the PTAL your chances to recieve receive invitations for residency interviews are almost zero.

Note: To apply for the PTAL it does not matter if you have or not your USMLE scores. You can start your application even before taking your first USMLE test. Nonetheless, you will only get your PTAL until you pass all the USMLE tests and after you provide all the required documents.

III.- Which documents do you need?

You need the following documents:

1.- Documents you have to send

• Application forms L1A-L1E
  
• Copy of Live Scan form
  
• Copy of receipt of online payment
  

2.- Documents the Federation of State Medical Boards has to send

• Official Examination Scores
  

3.- Documents your medical school has to send

• Form L2
  
• Official Medical school Transcript
  
• Certified copy of medical degree
  
• Form L5
  
• Form L6 (if applicable)
  

Applying to the Post Graduate Authorization Letter (PTAL) is different than to apply for the ECFMG credential verification. You have to consider this a totally different and independent processs.


IMPORTANT LINKS FOR THE PTAL APPLICATION

• California Medical Board
  
• List of International Medicine schools recognized by California
  
• Online Professional Licensing
  
• Livescan Format Application
  
• Livescan Locations
  
• Application for the California Letter (PTAL)
  
• Federation of State Medical Boards
  

We will explain in more detail the steps you have to follow in future posts. If you have questions, you are more than welcome to leave a comment and share your doubts and experiences.

NOTE: This post was written by Gilberto Cota M.D. and modified by Victor Castilla M.D.