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California Physician and Surgeon Licensing
Exam – 250 Practice Questions with Verified
Answers and Rationales LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
California Physician and Surgeon Licensing Exam – 250 Practice Questions
Exam Coverage Summary – Point Form
Governing Authority
• Regulatory Agency: Medical Board of California (MBC) – operates under the
Department of Consumer Affairs
• Governing Law: Medical Practice Act – Business and Professions Code (BPC) Division 2,
Chapter 5
• Licensing Examinations: USMLE Steps 1, 2CK, and 3 (or COMLEX-USA Levels 1, 2, and 3
for DOs)
Licensing Requirements
• Education: Minimum four academic years (4,000 hours) at an approved medical school
• Curriculum Requirements: Must include instruction in Anatomy, Biochemistry,
Pharmacology, Pathology, Physiology, Medicine (incl. Pediatrics), Surgery,
Obstetrics/Gynecology, Psychiatry, Neurology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology,
Otolaryngology, Anesthesia, Radiology, Geriatric Medicine, Pain Management, Child
Abuse, Spousal Abuse, Alcoholism/Substance Dependency, Human Sexuality, Preventive
Medicine, Therapeutics, Tropical Medicine, and Urology
• Postgraduate Training (US/Canada Graduates): Minimum 12 months of ACGME-
approved training
• Postgraduate Training (International Graduates): Minimum 24 months of ACGME-
approved training
• USMLE Score Validity: 10 years from the month of examination
• Maximum Attempts: 4 attempts per USMLE step/level
Clinical Training Requirements
• Core Clinical Courses: Minimum 40 weeks in Surgery (8 wks), Medicine (8 wks),
Pediatrics (6 wks), OB/GYN (6 wks), Family Medicine (4 wks), Psychiatry (4 wks)
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• Hospital Training: 54 weeks must be in ACGME-approved or affiliated hospitals
Examination Structure
• USMLE Step 1: Basic sciences (Pass/Fail)
• USMLE Step 2 CK: Clinical knowledge and patient management
• USMLE Step 3: Final licensure evaluation; unsupervised practice of medicine
• Step 3 Format: Two-day exam; includes multiple-choice questions and Computer-based
Case Simulations (CCS)
SECTION A: CALIFORNIA REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
(Questions 1-45)
1. Which California entity is responsible for regulating the practice of physicians and
surgeons?
A. California Department of Public Health
B. Medical Board of California (MBC)
C. California Medical Association
D. Department of Consumer Affairs
Correct Answer: B. The Medical Board of California (MBC) regulates the licensure, practice, and
discipline of physicians and surgeons in California. It operates under the Department of
Consumer Affairs but is the specific board with authority over medical licensure.
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2. What is the minimum postgraduate training required for a U.S. medical graduate to obtain
a full Physician and Surgeon license in California?
A. 6 months of ACGME-approved training
B. 12 months of ACGME-approved training
C. 24 months of ACGME-approved training
D. 36 months of ACGME-approved training
Correct Answer: B. United States and Canadian medical school graduates must receive credit for
12 months of Board-approved postgraduate training accredited by the ACGME (in the U.S.) or
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
3. International medical graduates (IMGs) must complete how many months of Board-
approved postgraduate training to qualify for a California Physician and Surgeon license?
A. 12 months
B. 18 months
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C. 24 months
D. 36 months
Correct Answer: C. International medical school graduates must receive credit for 24 months of
Board-approved postgraduate training accredited by the ACGME.
4. According to the Medical Board of California, how long are USMLE scores valid for licensure
purposes?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. Indefinitely
Correct Answer: C. USMLE scores are valid for a period of 10 years and expire on the last day of
the month each step was passed. The Board may extend expired scores for time spent in
postgraduate training or if actively practicing in another state.
California Physician and Surgeon Licensing
Exam – 250 Practice Questions with Verified
Answers and Rationales LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
California Physician and Surgeon Licensing Exam – 250 Practice Questions
Exam Coverage Summary – Point Form
Governing Authority
• Regulatory Agency: Medical Board of California (MBC) – operates under the
Department of Consumer Affairs
• Governing Law: Medical Practice Act – Business and Professions Code (BPC) Division 2,
Chapter 5
• Licensing Examinations: USMLE Steps 1, 2CK, and 3 (or COMLEX-USA Levels 1, 2, and 3
for DOs)
Licensing Requirements
• Education: Minimum four academic years (4,000 hours) at an approved medical school
• Curriculum Requirements: Must include instruction in Anatomy, Biochemistry,
Pharmacology, Pathology, Physiology, Medicine (incl. Pediatrics), Surgery,
Obstetrics/Gynecology, Psychiatry, Neurology, Dermatology, Ophthalmology,
Otolaryngology, Anesthesia, Radiology, Geriatric Medicine, Pain Management, Child
Abuse, Spousal Abuse, Alcoholism/Substance Dependency, Human Sexuality, Preventive
Medicine, Therapeutics, Tropical Medicine, and Urology
• Postgraduate Training (US/Canada Graduates): Minimum 12 months of ACGME-
approved training
• Postgraduate Training (International Graduates): Minimum 24 months of ACGME-
approved training
• USMLE Score Validity: 10 years from the month of examination
• Maximum Attempts: 4 attempts per USMLE step/level
Clinical Training Requirements
• Core Clinical Courses: Minimum 40 weeks in Surgery (8 wks), Medicine (8 wks),
Pediatrics (6 wks), OB/GYN (6 wks), Family Medicine (4 wks), Psychiatry (4 wks)
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• Hospital Training: 54 weeks must be in ACGME-approved or affiliated hospitals
Examination Structure
• USMLE Step 1: Basic sciences (Pass/Fail)
• USMLE Step 2 CK: Clinical knowledge and patient management
• USMLE Step 3: Final licensure evaluation; unsupervised practice of medicine
• Step 3 Format: Two-day exam; includes multiple-choice questions and Computer-based
Case Simulations (CCS)
SECTION A: CALIFORNIA REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
(Questions 1-45)
1. Which California entity is responsible for regulating the practice of physicians and
surgeons?
A. California Department of Public Health
B. Medical Board of California (MBC)
C. California Medical Association
D. Department of Consumer Affairs
Correct Answer: B. The Medical Board of California (MBC) regulates the licensure, practice, and
discipline of physicians and surgeons in California. It operates under the Department of
Consumer Affairs but is the specific board with authority over medical licensure.
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2. What is the minimum postgraduate training required for a U.S. medical graduate to obtain
a full Physician and Surgeon license in California?
A. 6 months of ACGME-approved training
B. 12 months of ACGME-approved training
C. 24 months of ACGME-approved training
D. 36 months of ACGME-approved training
Correct Answer: B. United States and Canadian medical school graduates must receive credit for
12 months of Board-approved postgraduate training accredited by the ACGME (in the U.S.) or
the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
3. International medical graduates (IMGs) must complete how many months of Board-
approved postgraduate training to qualify for a California Physician and Surgeon license?
A. 12 months
B. 18 months
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C. 24 months
D. 36 months
Correct Answer: C. International medical school graduates must receive credit for 24 months of
Board-approved postgraduate training accredited by the ACGME.
4. According to the Medical Board of California, how long are USMLE scores valid for licensure
purposes?
A. 5 years
B. 7 years
C. 10 years
D. Indefinitely
Correct Answer: C. USMLE scores are valid for a period of 10 years and expire on the last day of
the month each step was passed. The Board may extend expired scores for time spent in
postgraduate training or if actively practicing in another state.
