Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, establishes the Medical Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and sets forth its powers and duties relating to the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons.

Existing law requires medical school graduates to obtain a physician’s and surgeon’s postgraduate training license, and, for purposes of obtaining that license, to submit an application form and required primary source documents to the board. Existing law requires applicants for a physician’s and surgeon’s certificate to include specified information in their application, including other information concerning the professional instruction and preliminary education of the applicant as the board may require.

This bill would prohibit the board from requiring an applicant for a physician’s and surgeon’s license or a physician’s and surgeon’s postgraduate training license to disclose specified information, including a condition or disorder that does not impair the applicant’s ability to practice medicine safely. The bill would provide that its provisions do not prohibit the board from requiring an applicant to disclose participation in a mental health or substance use disorder treatment program, as specified. If an applicant discloses that they currently have a condition or disorder that impairs their ability to practice medicine safely, the bill would require the board to provide the applicant with information on the availability of a probationary or limited practice license.

Existing law authorizes the board to prepare and provide electronically or mail to every licensed physician at the time of license renewal a questionnaire containing any questions as are necessary to establish that the physician currently has no disorder that would impair the physician’s ability to practice medicine safely. Existing law requires each licensed physician to complete, sign, and return the questionnaire to the board as a condition of renewing their license.

This bill would require each licensed physician to complete, sign, and return the questionnaire either electronically or by mail. The bill would prohibit the questionnaire from requiring the disclosure of any prohibited information, as described above.