United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

In order to apply for medical license and medical residency program in the USA, one must qualify the United State Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). It is also called the Boards.

The United States Medical Licensing Examination popular as USMLE is the medical licensure exam for the United States of America (USA). The USMLE exam is sponsored by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). The USMLE exam is conducted in 3 steps – USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.

Importance of USMLE Exam:

The USMLE exam helps the USA medical industry to maintain high-quality assessment standards for all young students entering the USA medical industry. It aims to assess a candidate’s knowledge, concepts, and principles. USMLE 3 is specifically designed to test fundamental patient-centered skills that serves as the basis of a safe and effective patient care system.

USMLE Examination Committee, USA

The USMLE Examination Committee, USA comprises well-qualified and experienced medical clinicians and medical educators of USA who belong to the teaching and licensing community of USA. For each USMLE question paper, two are assigned to revise it till perfect.

Whether you have MBBS degree from the USA or rest of the world, USMLE scores are mandatory for medical residency program admission in the USA for medical students. Clearing USMLE is mandatory for students aiming at a medical license from the USA.

Read MBBSUniversities.com blogs about USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.

Medical graduates have to take up the USMLE exam in the following locations:

USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK and USMLE Step 3

Prometric test centers worldwide

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS)

6 testing centers in the USA

 

With the 3-steps, USMLE exam aims to test a medical graduate’s concepts, principles and fundamental patient-centered skills that are necessary for safe and effective patient care.

Indian students who qualify both USMLE and residency program in the USA, do not need to appear for the MCI Screening Test in India.

Except USMLE Step 2 CS, all stages of the USMLE exam are computerized test only.

USMLE exams cannot be retaken more than thrice in a 1-year window.

One can take up maximum 6 attempts of the USMLE exam.

The minimum pass score for three stages of USMLE exam are as follows:

USMLE

Pass Score

Step 1

194

Step 2

209

Step 3

196

Read MBBSUniversities.com blogs about USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.

Primary difference between USMLE 1, USMLE 2 and USMLE 3

 

USMLE 1

USMLE 2
Clinical Knowledge

USMLE 2
Clinical Skills

USMLE 3

USMLE Eligibility Criteria
(Students must meet all above criteria during USMLE application process and on the USMLE test day as well)

Student must be officially enrolled in medical school approved by any of the following organizations across the world-

WHO

AOA

LCME

ECFMG

Student must be officially enrolled in medical school approved by any of the following organizations across the world-

WHO

AOA

LCME

ECFMG

Student must be officially enrolled in medical school approved by any of the following organizations across the world-

WHO

AOA

LCME

ECFMG

MBBS Degree from medical school approved by any of the following organizations across the world-

WHO

AOA

LCME

ECFMG

Clear USMLE 1 and 2

ECFMG certification for students from outside USA and Canada

USMLE Application

 

LCME or AOA accredited programs

NBME official website

Medical schools outside USA and Canada

ECFMG official website

 

LCME or AOA accredited programs

NBME official website

Medical schools outside USA and Canada

ECFMG official website

 

 

 

LCME or AOA accredited programs

NBME official website

Medical schools outside USA and Canada

ECFMG official website

 

FMSB official website

USMLE Test Date Schedule

Schedule USMLE test day via Prometric website

Keep 3-month buffer in hand for preferable test date. Test date can be scheduled up to 6 months

Students who fail to appear within schedule date, need to make fresh application

Schedule USMLE test day via Prometric website

Keep 3-month buffer in hand for preferable test date. Test date can be scheduled up to 6 months

Students who fail to appear within schedule date, need to make fresh application

Includes 12-month eligibility period

Students receive USMLE exam schedule permit via email

Students who fail to appear within schedule date, need to make fresh application

Keep 3-month buffer in hand for preferable test date

Read MBBSUniversities.com blogs about USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.

USMLE Eligibility Criteria

Following is the USMLE Eligibility Criteria divided step-wise:

USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 (CK and CS):

  • Student with medical degree (MD) from medical schools across the world approved by the following organizations:

Liaison Committee on Medical Education

USA

World Health Organization

Outside USA

Dismissed, disqualified or failed medical students cannot opt for the USMLE exam.

  • ECFMG certification for international medical students.

USMLE Step 3:

  • Student with medical degree (MD) from medical schools across the world approved by the following organizations:

Liaison Committee on Medical Education

USA

World Health Organization and ECFMG requirements

Outside USA

  • Clear USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (CK and CS).
  • ECFMG certification for international medical students.

How to register for the USMLE exam?

Applicants can register for the USMLE exam through the following organizations:

NBME

https://apps.nbme.org/nlesweb/#/login

USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2

For students of USA and Canada

ECFMG

https://secure2.ecfmg.org/emain.asp?app=iwa

USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2

For students outside the USA and Canada

FSMB

https://www.fsmb.org/step-3

USMLE Step 3

Medical graduates who have passed Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS

 

USMLE Exam Format (Step-wise)

USMLE Step

Location

Format

Duration

Extra Information

USMLE 1

Prometric computer center

280 MCQ divided into 60-minute blocks

One day – 8 hours

USMLE 1

USMLE 2 CK

Prometric computer center

316 MCQ divided into 60-minute blocks

One day – 9 hours

USMLE 2

USMLE 2 CS

USA

12 patients cases (15+10-minutes each)

One day – 8 hours

USMLE 2

USMLE 3

USA

 

DAY 1
FOUNDATIONS OF INDEPENDENT PRACTICE

DAY 2
ADVANCED CLINICAL MEDICINE

233 MCQ divided into (6) 60-minute block; Each contains around 40 questions

180 MCQ divided into (6) 45-minute block; Each contains around 30 questions

 

13-computer based case simulations (CSS).

 

One day – 9 hours

USMLE 3

 

Documents required for applying and appearing in USMLE exam:

  • Passport
  • Driver’s license with photograph
  • National Identity Card (Must include candidate’s full name, signature and photo)

The USMLE score cards and scoring is determined by the NBME only.

ECFMG and NBME notifies students via email when their scorecards are ready. Scorecards are available in both electronic and paper (shared via mail) format.

Read MBBSUniversities.com blogs about USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.

Common USMLE exam rules to follow:

  • Must attend all sections of the exam. Students who do not attend all sections are disqualified.
  • USMLE Fees is not refundable and non-transferable.
  • Please complete USMLE exam application with MBBSUniversities.com atleast 3-months in advance.
  • USMLE Fees can be paid via American Express, MasterCard or Visa.

USMLE exam rules to follow on your test day:

  • Students cannot access locker or cell phone during USMLE exam. They can only use them during authorized breaks on the USMLE exam day.
  • Students must reach venue 30-minutes prior to the exam.
  • In case your earphones don’t work at the exam venue, please convey to the examiner
  • Write Candidate Identification Number (CIN) on laminate board before beginning test session.
  • Do carry your exam schedule permit and id proof on the exam day
  • Even after being aware of all USMLE rules, please abide by the test center staff instructions on the test day.
  • Carry your scheduling permit (paper and electronic)
  • Candidate’s full name, signature and photo on identity card and USMLE scheduling permit must be same

Mandatory Security Processes On The USMLE Test Day:

  • Scanned entry through metal detector
  • Throw unpermitted belongings to the bin
  • Empty pocket
  • Cross verification of identity document and USMLE schedule permit
  • Biometric finger attendance

USMLE Results:

USMLE results are declared 3-4 weeks after the test date.
Students receive advance notification for USMLE result date. Students must wait up to 8-weeks for USMLE result.

Students receive email notification when results are announced. USMLE results also remain available on the website of the organization that you registered with for 120 days.

Review of USMLE Results:

Students have scope of reviewing USMLE results if not happy with their scores. The score recheck process requires extra fee. Only the organization you have registered with for the USMLE exam can ace your USMLE result recheck process. You must request for score recheck within 90-days of when you receive the USMLE score.

In such scenario, USMLE results are revised and conveyed to the students. Cancelled USMLE score arrives with an annotation ‘Score not available’. Further students are advised for retaking the USMLE exam.

USMLE Transcript:

For USMLE transcript, please get in touch with FSMB (https://www.fsmb.org/transcripts/), NLES (https://apps.nbme.org/nlesweb/#/login)or ECFMG(https://www.ecfmg.org/forms/transcripts.html)with whom you have registered for the USMLE test.

Irregular, Skeptical or Anomalous Performance in USMLE Test:

For students not abiding to the USMLE test rules at any stage between registration and USMLE Step 3, USMLE program reserves right to exempt your USMLE exam and future access to it.

This can also lead to unreleased USMLE score, cancellation of USMLE registration or exemption from taking part in USMLE exam.

Read MBBSUniversities.com blogs about USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.

USMLE Exam Retest:

USMLE exams cannot be retaken more than thrice in a 1-year window.

Fourth and subsequent attempt can only be taken one year after the first USMLE attempt.

As eligibility criteria, many medical boards only accept USMLE score completed in 7 years.

USMLE Score Calculation Methodology:

USMLE Step 1, 2 (CK) and 3-

  • Exam data sent to NBME virtually
  • Exam answers transferred to raw format
  • Raw score transferred to 3-digit score
  • Test behavior assessment. Clarification requested to candidate in case of aberrant behavior
  • Quality assurance procedure for score accuracy
  • Score report declared to students

USMLE Step 2 (CS)

  • Quality control check before exam data sent to NBME
  • Standardized patient rating scale converted to patient note and score
  • On completion of test administration period, performance cohort is transferred to data form for score comparison of SME Step 2 CS
  • Quality assurance procedure for score accuracy
  • Score report declared to students

Highlights of MU Exclusive USMLE Program by MBBSUniversities.com-

MU Exclusive USMLE Program by MBBSUniversities.com aims to help Indian and international students prepare for the USMLE exam. The highlights of the USMLE exam are as follows:

  • Conducted by a mentor who is by profession a doctor presently practicing the USA and very well accustomed to the updated USMLE exam format
  • USMLE curriculum covered with unlimited audio and video study materials
  • Questions banks for reference to USMLE exam pattern
  • All books by famous authors, physicians
  • MBBSUniversities.com USMLE mentor also suggests integrated e-books for USMLE exam preparation
  • Topic wise mock test for USMLE (all steps)
  • Ensure seamless student enrollment for USMLE Step-1 after the second year of MBBS course. We help for both USMLE student registration and exam scheduling
  • MBBSUniversities.com arranges clinical rotation for students in ACGME affiliated hospitals in the USA
  • Live lectures and online classes
  • The MU Exclusive USMLE Program is structured based on the official USMLE website

Please note, MBBSUniversities.com is not associated or linked with any of the trademark holders of the USMLE exam.

Read MBBSUniversities.com blogs about USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.

Student Reviews For MBBS Universities