State Registration of Arizona-Licensed Physicians to Provide Abortions and Abortion-Related Care to Arizona Patients Traveling to California

Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 2076.6 provides, in part, that physicians licensed in Arizona may register to practice medicine in California solely for the purpose of providing abortions and abortion-related care to patients who are Arizona residents traveling from Arizona to California for that care.

Eligibility to Register with the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California

Physicians eligible for registration to practice in California must meet the following criteria:

  • Hold a medical license in good standing in Arizona that confers the authority to practice abortions and abortion-related care within a scope similar to that defined in Health and Safety Code section 123464(a), which includes, “any medical treatment intended to induce the termination of a pregnancy except for the purpose of producing a live birth.”
  • Submit either of the following to the applicable California licensing board demonstrating that the Arizona license is in good standing: (1) written verification from the Arizona Medical Board or the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery, or (2) documentation printed from an online licensing system.
    • “Good standing” means an active license to practice medicine with no restrictions, and that no accusation or similar filing initiating disciplinary action is pending, unless the accusation or filing is for an offense related solely to performing an abortion.
  • For physicians licensed in Arizona and one or more other jurisdictions, submit written verification or documentation printed from an online licensing system demonstrating that each license is in good standing.
  • Perform at least one abortion (i.e., a medical treatment intended to induce the termination of a pregnancy except for the purpose of producing a live birth) under the authority of the Arizona medical license during the two years immediately preceding registration submission to the applicable California licensing board.
  • Submit to the applicable California licensing board the Arizona address of record (the address on record with the Arizona licensing board).
  • Submit a California address of record, if any (a California address at which you will receive official communications from the California licensing board).
  • Submit an affidavit attesting that you meet the requirements for state registration.

Standards Applicable to Registered Physicians

Physicians registered to practice in California are subject to the following additional requirements:

  • Registered physicians may not practice medicine in California until they submit to the applicable California licensing board the street address of a location in this state at which the physician will practice medicine. Registered physicians must submit to the applicable board the street address of each location at which they will practice medicine in California.
  • Registered physicians may only provide abortions and abortion-related care in California.
  • Registered physicians may only provide care to Arizona residents who traveled from Arizona to California seeking an abortion or abortion-related care.
  • Registered physicians must maintain their Arizona license in good standing.
  • Registered physicians are considered licensees of the applicable California licensing board for purposes of complying with California standards of practice and discipline, and the board may suspend or revoke a registration, or take other appropriate enforcement action, for failing to comply with California standards of practice or satisfy California registration requirements.
  • Registrations to practice in California expire on November 30, 2024.

How To Register

Be prepared to provide the following information during the registration process:

  1. Download and complete the Registration of Arizona-Licensed Physicians to Provide Abortions and Abortion-Related Care to Arizona Patients Traveling to California - State Registration Form.
  2. Prepare digital copies (pdf or image files that can be uploaded) of all required supporting documentation. An example of supporting documentation may be written verification of good standing for your Arizona or other out-of-state license.
  3. Upload the Registration Form and all supporting documents to the DCA Secure File Submission Portal.

Arizona-Licensed Physicians to Provide Abortions and Abortion-Related Care to Arizona Patients Traveling to California - State Registration Form User Guide

The applicable board will not post information about registered physicians on its internet website and, upon request, the only information that will be disclosed about registrants will be their name, registration status, and the Arizona license number. Other records and information submitted to the applicable board pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 2076.6 are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act, Government Code section 7920.000, et seq.