Medical Board of California (2024)

FAQs

How do I find out if a doctor has complaints in California? ›

Disciplinary documents for recent violations are available on each doctor's license verification page. For older violations, contact California's medical board at 916-263-2525 or complete the online request form.

The Medical Board of California (Board) has the primary responsibility of licensing and regulating physicians and surgeons and certain allied health care professionals.

Go to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) website to check the basics with their DocInfo.org search function. You will find the doctor's board certifications, education, states with active licenses, and any actions against the physician.

For products produced in California, contact the California Department of Public Health Services Food and Drug Branch​ (FDB) Consumer Complaint Hotline at 1-800-495-3232.

The chief complaint, formally known as CC in the medical field, or termed presenting complaint (PC) in Europe and Canada, forms the second step of medical history taking.

Legal Elements Needed in a Case

When patient abandonment occurs, the professional has terminated the relationship with the patient without giving him or her a reasonable reason, without giving alternative medical options, and while the patient is still in need of medical aid.

California Medical Power of Attorney Form (HCPOA) The California Medical Power of Attorney form (also known as a Healthcare Power of Attorney or HCPOA) is a document that authorizes the legal permission for a person of your choosing to execute your health care directives.

Why would someone be on the med board? ›

THE MEDICAL EVALUATION BOARD PROCESS

Physical or mental health problems that are expected to render a member unable to fully perform his/her duties, exceeding 90 days require a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). A Limited Duty Board is a type of MEB that places a member in a less than full duty status for 6 months.

If you want to reach the Medical Board anonymously, you may contact us at 1-800-633-2322 during business hours or by email at webmaster@mbc.ca.gov.

Once all pertinent information has been received in CCU, Board staff will analyze the information to determine if there is sufficient evidence for referral to a medical consultant. If referral to a medical consultant is warranted, the complaint is forwarded to a consultant for a thorough review.

An accusation is a legal document that lists the charges and/or the section(s) of law alleged to have been violated and is served on the licensee. The physician is entitled to dispute the charges at an administrative hearing.

Seven (7) years between when the act or omission alleged as the ground for disciplinary action occurred and when an Accusation to take disciplinary action is filed.

In California, there are statute of limitations that sets time limits for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Generally, the lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of injury or one year from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered by the patient.

A chief complaint is a concise statement in English or other natural language of the symptoms that caused a patient to seek medical care. A triage nurse or registration clerk records a patient's chief complaint at the very beginning of the medical care process (Figure 23.1 ).

If the investigation finds evidence that the physician has violated the Medical Practice Act and the violation warrants disciplinary action, the case is forwarded to the Attorney General's Office to prepare an accusation.