Medical Board of California and Osteopathic Medical Board of California: licensing: application processing.

Existing law, the Medical Practice Act, provides for licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the Medical Board of California. Existing law establishes the Osteopathic Medical Board of California and authorizes the board to issue an originating or reciprocal osteopathic physician and surgeon's certificate to an applicant who satisfies specified criteria. Existing law establishes the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission and requires the commission to, among other things, identify specific areas of the state where unmet priority needs for primary care exist. This bill would require the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California to develop a process to give priority review status to the application of an applicant who can demonstrate, as specified, that he or she intends to practice in a medically underserved area or serve a medically underserved population.