Licensee

• Address of Record / Email Address
• Continuing Medical Education (CME)
• Cosmetic Treatments
• Criminal Convictions
• Financial Interest Statement
• Inactive License
• Name Change
• Physician Assistants

Address of Record / Email Address

An address or email change can be done online via the BreEZe system. You will need to sign into the system and follow the instructions to submit an address/email change.

You may also change your address/email by printing and completing the Notice of Change of Address/Email form. Please sign the form and fax it to the number on the form.

NOTE: If you are renewing at the same time you want to change an address/email, please be sure to change your address/email before renewing your license. You can update your address/email online in the BreEZe system prior to completing the renewal process online.

The licensee's name, both the new and old address, license/registration number and signature (no one may sign on the licensee's behalf) must be provided. If using an employer's address, billing address or address of a family member or friend, please ensure that permission is given prior to the change. The licensee is responsible for all communications sent to the address of record.

The licensee/registrant must report every change of address within 30 days of the change.

Yes. However, if the new address being reported is a post office box, the licensee is required by law to provide the Board with a separate street address which will be kept confidential.

Yes. The address of record is public information and will be provided to any individual or entity who inquires. The address of record is also available on the Board's website. A licensee should carefully consider the address of record before providing to the Board.

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

You should report your CME with your license renewal. Your CME documents should accompany your renewal form, be uploaded to BreEZe during an online renewal, or you may fax or send your CME by email at the time of your renewal.

No. As of January 1, 2018, the CME cycle was changed from a three (3) year to a two (2) year reporting period. Furthermore, effective January 1, 2022, the CME cycle is identical to a licensee’s renewal period to more effectively align with California's two-year renewal cycle and simplify the renewal process and CME requirements.

If you are emailing CME or uploading it during your renewal on BreEZe, CME *must* be in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format.

We do NOT accept CME in .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .html, .doc, .docx, .gif, .tiff, or .webarchive format. We do NOT accept smartphone photographs pasted into the body of an email. We also do NOT accept links from cloud storage sites such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

It may be faxed to (916) 928-8392. Please send a message to the Board to learn about more ways to submit CME.

The Board will waive CME for each year of the CME period that was spent in a residency or fellowship. The amount waived will either be 50% or 100% of the hours, depending on how much of the two-year period was spent in training -i.e. if you spent 50% of the two year period in training, then 50% of your CME will be waived, and if you spent 100% of the time in training than 100% will be waived. You will need to provide a copy of your diploma from the residency or fellowship (if completed) or a letter from your program director (if you are still attending the program) in order to claim this waiver. Any years not spent in training during the CME cycle negates your ability to claim CME for that year.

You may receive 0.5 units of category 2 CME for each individual journal read. You may self-report journal readings by listing the name of the journal, number of issues you read that year, and the number of years you read that journal. The document listing your self-reported journal readings must be signed and dated in order to be valid.

Pain Management/Palliative Care CME is not necessarily AOA category 1A/B as it is usually non-osteopathic. The Board must accept CME as it is reported on the certificate. If it is listed as AMA, it will count as AOA category 2. It is possible that some AOA conferences and activities held in California do have Pain Management/Palliative Care to specifically meet California CME requirements. If you attend such an activity, the CME will count as both AOA 1 A/B and Pain Management/Palliative Care.

Cosmetic Treatments

Physicians may use lasers or intense pulse light devices to remove hair, spider veins, and tattoos. In addition, physician assistants and registered nurses (not licensed vocational nurses) may use lasers or intense pulse light devices to perform these procedures under a physician's supervision. Unlicensed medical assistants, licensed vocational nurses, cosmetologists, electrologists, or estheticians may not legally perform these treatments under any circumstances, nor may registered nurses or physician assistants, without supervision of a physician.

Physicians may inject Botox, or they may direct registered nurses or physician assistants to perform the injection under their supervision. No unlicensed persons, such as medical assistants, may inject Botox.

No, it is not legal to be a “sponsoring physician, nor is there such a thing as a "sponsoring physician." Nurses may not, under California law, employ or contract with a physician for supervision. A nurse may not have a private practice without supervision. While the laws governing nursing recognize "the existence of overlapping functions between physicians and registered nurses" and permit "additional sharing of functions within organized health care systems that provide for collaboration between physicians and registered nurses", nurses only may perform medical functions under "standardized procedures." The Board does not believe this allows a nurse to have a private medical cosmetic practice without any physician supervision. (Business and Professions Code section 2725).

No, it is not legal serve as a “medical director” for a “medi-spa” for a layperson. If a person is not a licensed physician, he or she cannot legally offer or provide medical services. A physician contracting with, or acting as, an employee of a lay-owned business would be aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine. To offer or provide laser and other cosmetic medical services, the business must be a physician-owned medical practice or professional medical corporation with a physician being the majority shareholder. (Business and Professions Code section 2052, 2264, 2286, and 2400.)

The law does not restrict where Botox treatments may be performed, as long as they are performed by a physician or by a registered nurse or physician assistant under a physician's supervision.

If the microdermabrasion is a cosmetic treatment and only affects the outermost layer of the skin or the stratum corneum, then a licensed cosmetician or esthetician may perform the treatment. If the microdermabrasion is a medical treatment, penetrating to deeper levels of the epidermis, then the treatment must be performed by a physician, or by a registered nurse or physician assistant under supervision. Treatments to remove scarring, blemishes, or wrinkles would be considered a medical treatment. Unlicensed personnel, including medical assistants, may not perform any type of microdermabrasion.

Yes, a physician can hire a licensed esthetician to perform non-medical dermabrasion, cosmetic facials, and skin treatments. The esthetician must have obtained an Establishment License from the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. All licensed cosmetologists, including estheticians, must perform their services in a licensed establishment.

Medical assistants are not licensed professionals. They are not required to have a degree, pass an examination, or be licensed. For these reasons, the law only allows medical assistants to perform technical supportive services as described in sections 2069-2071 of the Business and Professions Code, and Title 16, California Code of Regulations, sections 1366-1366.4.

Physicians could be charged with aiding and abetting unlicensed practice, and the unlicensed person could be charged with the unlicensed practice of medicine. In addition, to a number of other sanctions, including, but not limited to, license discipline and criminal prosecution.

You may file a complaint with the Board. The complaint shall include: the advertisement, the publication name and date, and your address and telephone number where you may be contacted for further information. The material shall be mailed to the Board’s Enforcement Unit at 1300 National Drive Suite 150, Sacramento, CA 95834. The Board will contact the business, inform them of the law, and direct them to cease any illegal practice. If it is simply the advertisement that is misleading, they will be directed to change or clarify the ad.

For additional information, you may want to consult with your attorney or malpractice carrier.

Criminal Convictions

Effective July 1, 2020, the Board no longer requires an applicant to disclose prior criminal record history, pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 480. Any criminal record will be discovered upon receipt of fingerprint results, at which time, the Board will request the applicant to voluntarily provide an explanation and evidence of rehabilitation.

Please note that the Board is notified of all criminal record history, including convictions that have been dismissed or expunged. The Board may not deny a license on the basis of a conviction that has been dismissed, pursuant to Penal Code sections 1203.4, 1203.4a, 1203.41, 1203.42, or 1203.425, or a comparable dismissal or expungement.

The Board is unable to provide legal advice to applicants or their representatives. The Board reviews each conviction based not only on the conviction itself in relation to the statutes, but also on the underlying issues that led to the conviction. Every situation is unique and is addressed on an individual basis.

All information related to an applicant's criminal history is considered when determining an applicant’s eligibility for licensure, including, but not limited to: The specific conviction; when the incident occurred; the circumstances surrounding the arrest/conviction; the number of convictions an applicant has; the applicant’s compliance with the court's terms and conditions; and the applicant’s rehabilitation.

The Board has four options relative to licensure: issue a full and unrestricted license; issue a license with a public letter of reprimand; issue a probationary license; or deny a license. These actions must be substantiated by appropriate evidence.

Financial Interest Statement

Financial interest means, and includes, but not limited to, any type of ownership interest, including share or stock ownership, limited partnership interest, debt, loan, lease, compensation, remuneration, general or limited partnership interest, discount rebate, refund, dividend, distribution, subsidy, or other form of direct or indirect payment of money or anything else of value to a licensee or the licensee's immediate family from a health-related facility. It also includes an ownership interest in an entity, corporation, or partnership that leases property to a health facility.

Immediate family means a spouse, child, or parent of a licensee, and a spouse of a child of a licensee.

Financial interest does not include the ownership of corporate investment securities, including shares, bonds, or other debt instruments.

Inactive License

Yes, the renewal fee for an inactive license is $325.

While your medical license is on an inactive status, you cannot practice medicine in California.

Your medical license will remain current with the Board and you do not have to comply with Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements.

You must complete the "Request to Change License Status".

Mail Completed Form, Proof of 20 hours of AOA Category 1A CME, and Check to: Osteopathic Medical Board of California 1300 National Drive, Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95834-1991

Medical Assistants

• California Code of Regulations
• Division 13. Medical Board of California
• Chapter 3. Affiliated Healing Arts
• Article 2. Medical Assistants

Prior to a medical assistant performing technical supportive services, a medical assistant shall receive training, as necessary, in the judgment of the supervising physician, podiatrist, or instructor to ensure the medical assistant is competent in performing that service.

Medical assistants shall be trained by a licensed physician, podiatrist, registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, a physician assistant, or a qualified medical assistant.

Medical assistants shall be trained in a postsecondary or adult education program in a public school authorized by the Department of Education, in a community college program provided for in the Education Code, or a postsecondary institution accredited or approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education in the Department of Consumer Affairs.

For medical assistants to administer medications by intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections, to perform skin tests, or to perform venipuncture or skin puncture for the purposes of withdrawing blood, a medical assistant shall complete the minimum training prescribed in the regulations.

Training shall be for the duration required by the medical assistant to demonstrate to the supervising physician, podiatrist, or instructor. Where applicable, training shall include no less than:

• 10 clock hours of training in administering injections and performing skin tests;
• 10 hours of training in venipuncture and skin puncture for the purpose of withdrawing blood;
• at least 10 of each intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal injections and 10 skin tests, and/or at least 10 venipuncture and 10 skin punctures;
• 10 hours of training in administering medical by inhalation; and
• Training in the above shall include instruction and demonstration in:
  • pertinent anatomy and physiology appropriate to the procedures;
  • choice of equipment;
  • proper technique including sterile technique;
  • hazards and complications;
  • patient care following treatment or tests;
  • emergency procedures; and
  • California law and regulations for medical assistants

In every instance, prior to administration of medicine by a medical assistant, a licensed physician or podiatrist, or another appropriate licensed person shall verify the correct medication and dosage. The supervising physician or podiatrist must authorize any technical supportive services performed by the medical assistant and that supervising physician or podiatrist must be physically present in the treatment facility when procedures are administered, except as provided in section 2069(a) of the Business and Professions Code.

Learn More

Medical assistants are not required to be licensed or certified by the State of California. However, the medical assistant's employer and/or supervising physician's or podiatrist's malpractice insurance carrier may require that the medical assistant be certified by a national or private association. If the medical assistant will not be training other medical assistants, such a certification may come from any national or private association and is not required to come from one of the Board-approved medical assistant certifying organizations. If the medical assistant will be training other medical assistants, they must be certified by one of the Board-approved certifying organizations listed on the Board’s Medical Assistants page.

The phrase “administer medications” refers to the direct application of medication by simple injections, ingestion and inhalation, or pre-measured medications. For the Board’s purposes, the phrase "administer medications" regarding a medical assistant means to inject, handle, or provide medications to a patient after a physician, podiatrist or another appropriate licensed person, has verified the correct medication and dosage.

If the medical assistant has undergone the appropriate training, he or she is allowed to administer injections of scheduled drugs once the licensed person has verified the correct mediation and dosage , and the injection is intramuscular, intradermal or subcutaneous. The supervising physician or podiatrist must be on the premises as required in section 2069 of the Business and Professions Code, except as provided in subdivision (a) of that section. However, this does not include the administration of any anesthetic agent.

Medical assistants cannot start or disconnect IV’s or administer injections or medication into an IV. These procedures are considered invasive, and therefore, not within the medical assistant's scope of practice.

Medical assistants may perform nasal smears if the procedure is limited to the opening of the nasal cavity.

Medical assistants may perform finger sticks if they have received the proper training. The finger stick procedure is considered the pricking of a finger in order to collect a sample of blood.

Medical assistants may swab a patients throat to preserve the specimen in a throat culture if they have received the proper trainings.

Medical assistants are allowed to take a patient’s vitals; height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse.

Medical assistants may inject narcotics into a patient by intradermal, intramuscular, or subcutaneous, once the licensed person has verified the correct mediation and dosage. The medical assistant may not inject anesthetic agents.

This decision must be made by the supervising physician or podiatrist.

Medical assistants are not allowed to chart pupillary responses. The charting of pupillary responses is considered an assessment, which is a form of interpretation. Medical assistants are not allowed to read, interpret, or diagnose symptoms or test results.

Medical assistants may not insert urine catheters. Insertion of a urine catheter is considered an invasive procedure and therefore, not within the medical assistant's scope of practice.

Medical assistants may not independently perform telephone triage. Medical assistants are not legally authorized to interpret data or diagnose symptoms.

Medical assistants may not inject collagen. The injection of collagen does not fall within the medical assistant's scope of practice.

Medical assistants may not use lasers to remove hair, wrinkles, scars, moles, or other blemishes.

Medical assistants are not legally authorized to administer chemotherapy or make an assessment of the patient.

Medical assistants are not allowed to apply orthopedic splints. Medical assistants may remove casts, splints, and other external devices.

Medical assistants are not allowed to interpret the results of skin tests. Medical assistants may, however, measure and describe the test reaction and make a record in the patient's chart.

A supervising physician and surgeon may, at their discretion and in consultation with the nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant, provide written instructions to be followed by a medical assistant in regards to a performance of tasks or supportive services when the supervising physician and surgeon is not on site. The written instructions may provide that the supervisory function for the medical assistant have been delegated to the nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or physician assistant.

Medical assistants may call in refills to a pharmacy, under the direct supervision of the physician or podiatrist. The medication refills must be exact and have no changes in the dosage levels. The refill must be documented in the patient's chart as a standing order, patient specific. Medical assistants may not call in new prescriptions or any prescriptions that have any changes.

Medical assistants may perform hearing tests under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and surgeon or podiatrist.

Medical assistants may administer flu shots and other vaccines after receiving the appropriate training and the licensed person has verified the correct medication and dosage. In addition the supervising practitioner must be present in the facility. (Business and Professions Code section 2069)

Medical assistants may hand patients prescription medication that are properly-labeled and pre-packaged that have been ordered by a licensed physician, podiatrist, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or nurse midwife. The prescriber must first ensure the medication has the patient’s name affixed to the package, the medication, dosage, and provide consultation.

A medical assistant may perform spirometric pulmonary function testing if the medical assistant has undergone proper training and the test is a usual and customary part of the medical practice where the medical assistant is employed.

Name Change

If you change your name after you have submitted an application or are licensed, you must submit a signed Name Change form, along with photocopy or electronic copy of a current government-issued photographic identification (e.g., driver’s license, alien registration, passport, etc.) and one of the following legal documents as proof of the name change:

• Marriage Certificate
• Dissolution of marriage (divorce)
• Certified Court Order

The Notification of Name Change form and supporting documents must be mailed to the Board.

There is no fee to process a name change; however, if you require a new wall certificate a fee is required.

Physician Assistants

A physician assistant, or PA, is a licensed and highly skilled health care professional, trained to provide patient evaluation, education, and health care services. A PA works with a physician to provide medical care and guidance needed by a patient.

A PA must attend a specialized medical training program associated with a medical school that includes classroom studies and clinical experience. An academic degree and/or certificate is awarded upon graduation. Many PAs already have two- or four-year academic degrees before entering a PA training program. Most PA training programs require prior health care experience.

Yes. To practice in California, each PA must pass a rigorous national examination before being licensed by the Physician Assistant Board, which is part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

The Physician Assistant Board is responsible for consumer protection, making recommendations about the scope of practice of PAs, and providing information about PAs to the health care community and others.

A Physician Assistant performs many of the same diagnostic, preventative, and health maintenance services as a physician. These services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Taking health histories
• Performing physical examinations
• Ordering X-rays and laboratory tests
• Ordering respiratory, occupational, or physical therapy treatments.
• Performing routine diagnostic tests
• Establishing diagnoses
• Treating and managing patient health problems
• Administering immunizations and injections
• Instructing and counseling patients
• Providing continuing care to patients in the home, hospital, or extended care facility
• Providing referrals within the health care system
• Performing minor surgery
• Providing preventative health care services
• Acting as first or second assistants during surgery
• Responding to life-threatening emergencies

Each PA must be supervised by at least one physician. The physician supervises the PA either when both are at the same location or by telephone or other electronic means. The supervising physician must always be available to the PA when the PA is examining a patient and is responsible for the care provided by the PA. A PA may only practice pursuant to a practice agreement between the PA and their supervising physician.

In many medical offices, the charges are the same regardless of which health care provider is seen.

Yes. Generally, the PA works under the insurance policy of the employing physician or health facility. PAs may also carry their own malpractice insurance.

Yes, most do. Some carriers bill for the PA directly, while others bill through the supervising physician. All reimbursements for Medi-Cal are usually made through the supervising physician or the employing institution. Medicare reimburses for services provided by the PA in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, in addition to primary care services.

For more information about physician assistants, a specific physician assistant, licensing requirements, or to file a complaint, contact:

• Physician Assistant Board
  2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 2250
  Sacramento, CA 95815
  (916) 561-8780
  Website: pab.ca.gov
• Frequently Asked Questions - Supervising Physician Assistants