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:
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USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK and USMLE Step 3 |
Prometric test centers worldwide |
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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:
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USMLE |
Pass Score |
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Step 1 |
194 |
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Step 2 |
209 |
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Step 3 |
196 |
Read MBBSUniversities.com blogs about USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills) and USMLE 3.
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USMLE 1 |
USMLE 2 |
USMLE 2 |
USMLE 3 |
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USMLE Eligibility Criteria |
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 |
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USMLE Application |
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FMSB official website |
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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.
Following is the USMLE Eligibility Criteria divided step-wise:
USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 (CK and CS):
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Liaison Committee on Medical Education |
USA |
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World Health Organization |
Outside USA |
Dismissed, disqualified or failed medical students cannot opt for the USMLE exam.
USMLE Step 3:
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Liaison Committee on Medical Education |
USA |
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World Health Organization and ECFMG requirements |
Outside USA |
Applicants can register for the USMLE exam through the following organizations:
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NBME |
USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 |
For students of USA and Canada |
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ECFMG |
USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 |
For students outside the USA and Canada |
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FSMB |
USMLE Step 3 |
Medical graduates who have passed Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS |
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USMLE Step |
Location |
Format |
Duration |
Extra Information |
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USMLE 1 |
Prometric computer center |
280 MCQ divided into 60-minute blocks |
One day – 8 hours |
USMLE 1 |
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USMLE 2 CK |
Prometric computer center |
316 MCQ divided into 60-minute blocks |
One day – 9 hours |
USMLE 2 |
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USMLE 2 CS |
USA |
12 patients cases (15+10-minutes each) |
One day – 8 hours |
USMLE 2 |
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USMLE 3 |
USA |
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One day – 9 hours |
USMLE 3 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 Step 1, 2 (CK) and 3-
USMLE Step 2 (CS)
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:
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.
