2005 California Business and Professions Code Sections 2170-2186 Article 9. Examinations

2170.  (a) All applicants for a physician's and surgeon's
certificate shall take the examination provided for in this article
unless provisions of this chapter otherwise provide.
   (b) The provisions of this article shall apply to all examinations
administered by the Division of Licensing unless provisions of this
chapter otherwise provide.
2171.  All examinations shall be designed to ascertain the applicant'
s fitness to practice medicine.  Unless otherwise provided the
examination shall be in writing.
2172.  The Division of Licensing may appoint qualified persons to
give the whole or any portion of any examination as provided in this
chapter, who shall be designated as examination commissioners.  The
board may fix the compensation of such persons subject to the
provisions of applicable state laws and regulations.
2173.  The examination shall be conducted in the English language.
Upon the submission of satisfactory proof from the applicant that he
or she is unable to meet the requirements of the examination in
English, the Division of Licensing may allow the use of an
interpreter, either to be present in the examination room or
thereafter to interpret and transcribe the answers of the applicant.
The division in its discretion may select an examinee's interpreter
or approve the selection of an interpreter by the examinee.  The
expenses of the interpreter shall be paid by the examinee and shall
be paid before the examination is administered.
2174.  The examinations may be conducted in any part of the state or
another state designated by the Division of Licensing.  A notice of
each examination administered by the divison shall specify the time
and place of the examination.
2175.  Examination records shall be kept on file by the Division of
Licensing for a period of two years or more.  Examinees shall be
known and designated by number only, and the name attached to the
number shall be kept secret until the examinee is sent notification
of the results of the examinations.
2176.  Examinations for a physician's and surgeon's certificate may
be conducted by the Division of Licensing under a uniform examination
system, and for that purpose the division may make such arrangements
with organizations furnishing examination material as it may deem
desirable.
   The Division of Licensing may, in its discretion, designate other
written examinations for a physician's and surgeon's certificate that
the division determines are equivalent to any other written
examination for a physician's and surgeon's certificate conducted by
the division.
2177.  (a) A passing score is required for an entire examination or
for each part of an examination, as established by resolution of the
Division of Licensing.
   (b) Applicants may elect to take the written examinations
conducted or accepted by the division in separate parts.
2179.  The Division of Licensing shall insure that nutrition is
included on the examination for a certificate as a physician and
surgeon.
2183.  An applicant for a physician's and surgeon's certificate
shall pass the national examination for medical licensure in
biomedical sciences and clinical sciences, including geriatric
medicine, determined by the Division of Licensing to be essential for
the unsupervised practice of medicine.
   An applicant who applies for a physician's and surgeon's
certificate on or after January 1, 2004, shall have completed
coursework in geriatric medicine in medical school or in postgraduate
medical education training.
2184.  (a) Each applicant shall obtain on the written examination a
passing score, established by the division pursuant to Section  2177.
   (b) Passing scores on a written examination shall be valid for a
period of 10 years from the month of the examination for purposes of
qualification for licensure in California.
   This period of validity may be extended by the division for good
cause and for time spent in a postgraduate training program,
including, but not limited to, residency training, fellowship
training, remedial or refresher training, or other training that is
intended to maintain or improve medical skills.
   Upon expiration of the 10-year period plus any extension granted
by the division, the applicant shall pass the Special Purpose
Examination of the Federation of State Medical Boards or a clinical
competency written examination determined by the division to be
equivalent.
   This subdivision applies to all passing scores achieved in a
written examination for a physician's and surgeon's certificate
conducted by the division.
2186.  An applicant who is a diplomate of the National Board of
Medical Examiners shall not be required to take the written
examination prescribed by this article, provided such applicant meets
the requirements of Section 2151.