California Medical License Numbers: Lookup, Status, Prefixes

A California medical license lookup takes about a minute: go to the Medical Board of California’s online License Verification tool for an MD, or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California’s tool for a DO, and search by name, license number, or city. The profile that comes back shows the physician’s license status, expiration date, school and graduation year, and any public record actions such as discipline, malpractice settlements, or convictions.1Medical Board of California. License Verification

Running the Search on the Medical Board of California Site

On the MBC’s License Verification page, pick a license type from the dropdown before you enter anything. For an MD, choose “Physician and Surgeon.” The same page also covers midwives, postgraduate training licenses, and special faculty permits, so the dropdown choice matters.1Medical Board of California. License Verification

You can then search by name, license number, or location (city or county). The license number is the fastest route if you have it. A name search works, but common names return multiple results, so adding a city narrows things down. The tool returns a profile page summarizing credentials, public records, and current status.

If Your Physician Is a DO, Use the Osteopathic Board

DOs do not appear in the MBC search. The Osteopathic Medical Board of California licenses and regulates osteopathic physicians separately, and runs its own verification tool through the Department of Consumer Affairs portal.2Osteopathic Medical Board of California. License Verification The OMBC covers osteopathic physicians, postgraduate training licensees, and fictitious name permits.

A quirk to know before you type: osteopathic license numbers always start with “20A,” but the actual license number is only the last four or five digits. When you enter a DO’s license number into the OMBC search, drop the “20A” prefix.3Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Registration Tips to Successfully Register The OMBC treats data on its verification page as primary-source verified and updates it in real time.2Osteopathic Medical Board of California. License Verification

MDs and DOs hold the same clinical authority in California. Both can practice medicine, perform surgery, and prescribe. The split only matters for verification: use the right board’s tool, or the record will not come up.4Medical Board of California. Physicians and Surgeons

Reading the License Status

Status is the single most important field. California licenses must be renewed every two years before the expiration date to stay current.5Medical Board of California. Current Status The terms you may see:

  • Active — authorized to practice without restrictions.
  • Inactive — cannot practice; often voluntary, and the license can be reactivated through renewal.
  • Delinquent — the license has lapsed, usually because a renewal deadline was missed or required proof of training was not submitted. A delinquent license does not authorize practice.5Medical Board of California. Current Status
  • Probation — the Board took disciplinary action but allowed continued practice under conditions and monitoring.
  • Suspended — authority to practice has been temporarily removed, usually as discipline.
  • Revoked — the license has been terminated and practice is prohibited.

Anything other than Active deserves a direct call to the physician’s office or to the MBC Consumer Information line at (916) 263-2382.

What the Profile Shows Beyond Status

Each profile displays the physician’s name, license type, school name, graduation year, issuance date, expiration date, and address of record.6Medical Board of California. License Verification Sample A “Public Record Actions” section flags whether any of the following appear on the record:

  • Disciplinary actions
  • Felony or misdemeanor convictions
  • Malpractice judgments
  • Malpractice settlements
  • Hospital disciplinary actions
  • Administrative citations

The MBC does not display a physician’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) and treats email addresses and phone numbers as confidential.7Medical Board of California. Public Information

Disciplinary Documents and Citations

When the Board acts against a physician, it posts the underlying documents: accusations (the formal charges), decisions describing the outcome, suspension or restriction orders, and public letters of reprimand. A public letter of reprimand can require additional training or education.8Medical Board of California. Enforcement Documents

Citations are separate. They sanction technical violations of the law and usually carry a fine. The MBC does not classify citations as formal discipline, and a citation only remains visible on the profile for three years after it is resolved.8Medical Board of California. Enforcement Documents Because of that three-year window, a clean profile does not necessarily mean no citation was ever issued.

Malpractice Entries

The profile indicates whether the physician has malpractice settlements or judgments on record. Under California Business and Professions Code Section 801.01, any malpractice settlement over $30,000, any arbitration award, or any civil judgment based on alleged negligence in practice must be reported to the licensing board.9California Legislative Information. California Business and Professions Code BPC 801.01 The same threshold applies when the settling party is a medical group or corporate entity that employs or contracts with the physician.

A single settlement is not proof of wrongdoing. Many settle for business reasons unrelated to the physician’s performance. A pattern across multiple entries is a different signal.

What the License Number’s Letter Prefix Means

California medical license numbers start with a letter indicating the licensee’s educational pathway. A Type G license was issued to a graduate of a U.S. or Canadian medical school whose licensure pathway was based on the NBME examination. A Type A license was issued to a U.S. or Canadian graduate who used the FLEX, USMLE, or LMCC examination, or to an international medical school graduate who qualified through those exams or an approved combination. A Type C license also exists.10Medical Board of California. License Types The letter is an administrative classification tied to the exam pathway at the time of licensure and does not affect scope of practice. For DOs, the “20A” prefix reflects the osteopathic license type rather than an exam route.3Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Registration Tips to Successfully Register

Board Certification Is Not Verified by the Board

This is where lookups most often mislead. The MBC profile includes a “Board Certifications” field and a “Survey Information” section listing practice location, areas of practice, board certifications, language proficiency, and cultural background. All of it is self-reported by the physician and not independently verified by the Medical Board.6Medical Board of California. License Verification Sample A physician could list a certification that has expired or was never earned, and the profile would still show it.

To confirm board certification independently, use the American Board of Medical Specialties “Is My Doctor Certified?” tool on the Certification Matters site.11American Board of Medical Specialties. Verify Certification A state license is the legal right to practice medicine; board certification signals advanced competency in a specialty after exams and residency. Different sources, both worth checking.

If the Profile Shows a Postgraduate Training License

A profile that returns a Postgraduate Training License (PTL) rather than a Physician and Surgeon license means the physician is a resident or fellow still in training. A PTL holder may only practice in connection with their duties within an accredited training program and its affiliated sites, not independently. PTLs are valid for 36 months and are not renewable; if the physician does not obtain a full license before the PTL expires, they must stop all clinical work in California.12Medical Board of California. Postgraduate Training Licensees A PTL on an early-career physician’s profile is normal, but the scope is limited to the training program.

If the Lookup Reveals a Problem

If verification turns up something concerning, or you suspect someone is practicing medicine without a valid license, the MBC accepts written complaints through its Central Complaint Unit. The Board handles complaints about unlicensed activity, including people practicing without any license and licensed individuals aiding unlicensed practitioners. Complaints must generally be submitted in writing by mail, fax, or online, with a separate form for each physician.13Medical Board of California. File a Complaint

You can reach the Central Complaint Unit at 1-800-633-2322 or (916) 263-2382. Practicing medicine without a valid California license is a criminal offense under Business and Professions Code Section 2052, carrying potential fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment.