Bus. & Prof. Code, § 2097.5

(a) (1) Notwithstanding Section 2097, a physician’s and surgeon’s license may be renewed for the first time if the board receives evidence satisfactory to the board that the licensee is enrolled in a California board-approved postgraduate training program at the time the license expires.

(2) The relevant postgraduate training program director shall report to the board within 30 days, on a form approved by the board, if a licensee who renews their license pursuant to this subdivision is disenrolled from their training program for any reason, including, but not limited to, resignation, termination, or graduation.

(b) If a physician’s and surgeon’s license is initially renewed pursuant to subdivision (a), then, at the time of their second renewal, in addition to any other requirements, the board shall require evidence satisfactory to the board that the licensee has received credit for at least 36 months of board-approved postgraduate training, pursuant to the attestation of the program director, designated institutional official, or delegated authority for the approved postgraduate training program where the applicant participated. A licensee who fails to meet the requirements of this subdivision shall be automatically placed in delinquent status by the board.

(c) If a physician’s and surgeon’s license is initially renewed pursuant to subdivision (a) and the licensee is disenrolled from the relevant California board-approved postgraduate training program, the board may place the relevant license in delinquent status if the board does not receive evidence satisfactory to the board that the licensee has received credit for at least 36 months of board-approved postgraduate training. If placed on delinquent status, that license shall be returned to current status upon the board receiving evidence satisfactory to the board that the licensee is enrolled in a California board-approved postgraduate training program or has received credit for at least 36 months of board-approved postgraduate training before their license changes to canceled status, pursuant to Section 2428. Any license status change made pursuant to this subdivision shall not relieve the licensee of the license renewal requirements of subdivision (b).

(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other law, the board shall issue an initial physician’s and surgeon’s license for a period of 26 months.

(2) A renewed physician’s and surgeon’s license shall be subject to the requirements of Section 2423.

(e) Upon review of supporting documentation, the board, in its discretion, may renew a physician’s and surgeon’s license for an applicant who has demonstrated substantial compliance with this section.

(f) A physician whose license is canceled or who surrenders their license prior to meeting the renewal requirements of either subdivision (b) or (c) is subject to the reinstatement requirements of subdivision (e) of Section 2097.

(g) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section only applies to individuals who are issued an initial physician’s and surgeon’s license by the board on or after January 1, 2022.

(2) Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) only applies to individuals who are issued an initial license on or after January 1, 2025.

(h) This section shall not apply to the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.