California Letter

[just in time]

Hi Friends,

Here is potentially helpful information that I discovered today. As you may or may not know, many California residency programs require the Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter (aka PTALs or California Letter) issued to FMG's by the Medical Board of California. All University of California programs, for example, require this letter. On these residency program's web sites, the PTAL is typically listed as an "application requirement." To receive this letter, one must submit various documents including L-6's, Dean's letter, fingerprints, exam scores, etc., and a certified copy of your medical degree to the Medical Board of California for evaluation.This appears to create an enormous problem for FMG's graduating in May, but wanting to match in March and apply and interview the preceding fall. In fact, I have spoken with many MS IV's who did not apply to certain California residency programs because they could not get the California Letter in time for application/interview/match/etc. (no one graduates before your application/interview/match unless you're a year behind or graduate in September).

In the last two days, I've spoken with the UCLA Department of Surgery residency coordinator, LAC+USC Internal Medicine residency coordinator, Harbor-UCLA Department of Surgery residency program coordinator, the Medical Board of California, ERAS, and ECFMG. Here are the facts:


1. A certified copy of your medical degree IS required to obtain the PTALs (California Letter). Students graduating in April 2008, for example, can expect their PTAL in May if they submit their application (minus your degree) in February 2008. (you send your certified degree when you get it in April)

2. The PTAL is sent directly to you - NOT ERAS or ECFMG or individual Residency Programs.

3. Both ERAS and ECFMG do not need the PTAL. They will send your residency application to schools that require the PTAL WITHOUT the PTAL in your application profile.

4. The PTAL is a state requirement NOT a residency program requirement. Every program that I spoke with (UCLA, Harbor-UCLA, USC) said that PTAL WAS NOT NECESSARY for application/interview/match with their program. PTAL is only necessary at the time that you sign your contract with the hospital (in June before your internship begins in July). You just have to be certified by the time that you start working for them.

Bottom line, the California Letter should not preclude you from applying to ANY California residency program, as long as you are on the ball with the PTAL application process and graduate. This was great news for me and cleared up a lot of confusion and damaging rumors. I hope it helps you too.

Best of luck to you!

just in time

[Nelphus]

"This appears to create an enormous problem for FMG's graduating in May, but wanting to match in March and apply and interview the preceding fall."


Okay now I'm a bit confused - I am VERY interested in this information as I am an incoming MAY 08 AUC student coming from LA/SD area. The ideal end goal is residency placement and I expect to do quite a lot of research discovering the intricate process of match/CA letter etc.

JustInTime - would you be so kind to elaborate the timing issues with May students, specifically why CA placement is a problem for them?
I was under the impression that the best time to start, as far as Step1 studying and graduation timing, is May - because it puts you 4 months ahead of the August/US timeline???? Are you referring to May 08 students that want to start residency june 2011? or Match march 2011 vs. my expected date of march 2012??

Whatever the explanation may be, I take this as good news for CA seekers down the road - thank you for your time in making those calls

[rokshana]

while it is correct that the Cali letter is a state requirement and not a program requirement, there are MANY Cali programs (usually the UC programs) that DO make it a requirement for interview and/or ROL consideration- it is their perogative to do so after all (and yes USC and UCLA harbor do not require it for interview of ROL), so while theorically true, in reality many cali programs are not available to IMGs who have not yet graduated.

Just make sure you check with the individual program before spending the 25 bucks to apply...

[just in time]

So, I also spoke with UCLA Department of Surgery residency coordinator (that's University of California at Los Angeles). She related to me that the PTAL is NOT a requirement for application/interview/match at UCLA. She went on further to say that it is not policy at ANY UC institution for a residency program to exclude FMG's in the application process because they do not yet have the PTAL. She said that the PTAL is a state requirement and the only time they require it is upon the signing of your residency contract in June. She could be wrong. I am just relating what she said. Perhaps this JUST applies to surgery. Maybe she is off her rocker. However, 3 different SoCal programs concured with here statement.

Rokshana is right - CHECK WITH THE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS BEFORE YOU MAKE ASSUMPTION, either way.

The crux of my post is that it IS POSSIBLE to apply/interview/match at some/most/all? programs that require the California Letter, even if you don't graduate and submit the letter until the following April.