Who is licensed?
Licence information as of September 28, 2026.
The state search shows whether a licence is current. It also shows board decisions such as stopping a person from practising for a time or taking away a licence.
- Search the state’s licence records
Use the full name you were given. Match the name, role and licence type. Open any board discipline entry to read what happened and whether the person may still practise.
- Check a doctor with a DO licence
Both MD and DO mean that the person is a doctor. For a doctor with DO after the name, this board’s page takes you to the state search.
- Check a nurse’s record
The nursing board links to records for nurses and nurse practitioners.
- Check a physician assistant’s record
PA means physician assistant. This page tells you which parts of the record you can see.
- Check the pharmacy
Find its licence. For medicine made free of germs, look for the separate sterile-compounding record too.
What does a California visit require?
State rules as of September 28, 2026.
- Read the rules for a remote visit
A doctor needs a California licence when the patient is in California, even if the doctor is elsewhere.
- Read the rule about an exam first
California can allow a questionnaire to serve as the exam, but the person treating you must still give you the care your health problem needs. Ask who reviews your answers and what would lead them to arrange tests or examine you in person.
- Read the rule about your agreement
Remote care needs your spoken or written agreement. The person providing your care must explain it and keep a record.
- Check a pharmacy outside the state
It needs a California licence to send prescription drugs here. Its pharmacist in charge needs a California licence too.
- Read the boards’ guide to prescribing
This is guidance from a group of state boards, checked September 26, 2026. It is not state law. Read why choosing a medicine from a list needs a medical evaluation and a way to ask more questions.
What do FDA’s records say about the medicine?
Federal medicine approval and rules as of September 26, 2026.
- Check what FDA approval means
FDA is the federal drug agency. Being “FDA registered” means a business is listed with the agency; it does not mean FDA approved its medicines.
- Read about medicine made to order
This is called compounding. These medicines do not have FDA approval. Read why they may be made and what the lack of FDA review means for you.
- Check FDA’s rules for medicines made to order
The update concerns medicines made to order that closely match factory products. These medicines have no FDA approval. A national shortage means there is not enough of the factory product. When FDA lists such a shortage, federal rules can allow some versions made to order to fill the gap. As of September 26, 2026, neither semaglutide nor tirzepatide was on FDA’s shortage list.
- Read FDA’s concerns about weight drugs
Read about claims, warm deliveries and errors. It also explains the federal rule for retatrutide and cagrilintide.
- Read FDA’s concerns about ingredients
For BPC-157, FDA says it has too little information to know whether it would harm people.
Which cost or coverage route applies?
Prices and insurance rules checked on September 26, 2026.
- Check the government cash-price list
These are offers with terms. Read the terms for the exact product. The list does not send or supply drugs.
- Read the Medicare Bridge details
This short-term programme offers some weight drugs to people who qualify. Their share of the bill is $50 per month.
- Read Medicare’s guide for patients
Take this page to the person writing your prescription. Ask which route fits your health needs and your plan.
- Check who can use the Bridge
Have the person who writes your prescription compare your age, health, plan and past care with these rules.
Where can a concern go?
California reporting routes as of September 28, 2026.
- Report a concern about an MD
For a medical doctor, use the Medical Board of California.
- Report a concern about a DO
For a doctor with DO after the name, use the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.
- Report a concern about a nurse
Use the nursing board’s form to raise a concern about nursing care.
- Report a concern about a PA
Use the physician assistant board’s form to raise a concern about this role.
- Report a concern about a pharmacy
The pharmacy board handles drug errors and conduct. It does not handle ordinary price or insurance disputes.
- Report a business concern
Use the state Attorney General’s form. The office may pass the concern to the business. It cannot give you personal legal advice.
- Report a drug problem to FDA
MedWatch is FDA’s reporting route. Patients can use it to report a drug problem.
- Read about severe allergic reactions
Read how to spot signs of a severe reaction and when to get emergency care.