PTAL/California Letter - leonidas

[ArchivalUser]

Hi guys and Happy New Year-

I am an IMG without citizenship or GC and live outside USA. I would like to ask you about PTAL (Cali Letter).
I don't have SSN, but California Medical Board (CMB) requires SSN to issue my PTAL.
CMB inform me that I can start the process, but my final PTAL will not be issued until SSN is issued. In addition, they told me that they can give me a letter that it may help me to issue a SSN.
1st q: do you know anything about this letter that CMB gives to IMG Applicants so as to help them to issue a SSN?

I have also asked about it a physician who works for a California Hospital. He replied me back that he is sure that I can't issue a SSN, since I am not either citizen or GC holder, but he is also sure that I can apply for residency positions in California with a PTAL pending and If I am chosen by any hospital, they will issue for me a SSN and then my PTAL will be ready.
2nd q: do you know anything about that? I mean do you know if an IMG can apply for residency positions with a PTAL pending?

Thank you in advance, guys!
L

[ArchivalUser]

as a US citizen .. haven't had to face this issue.

however, i reckon the letter that they issue for the SSN is a temporary letter that will get your processing for a PTAL going but it wont be approved until you provide them with a copy of your SSN card.

You can't apply for CA residency positions until you turn in a PTAL as one of your LOR's in ERAS. ERAS alone will not let you select CA residency programs until they have a PTAL on file for you.

[ArchivalUser]

if you do not have social security number you can not get PTAL

[ArchivalUser]

Hello leonidas,

I am also in the same position as you. I require PTAL badly but I dont have an ssn. So I am searching for various options through which I can get an ssn. Can I have some contact of you so that we can discuss if we have any options.

Thanks