United States Medical Licensing Examination
International medical students and graduates who wish to practice medicine in the USA have to qualify for the United States Medical Licensing Examination(USMLE), which is a three-step examination. These include Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 2 CS, and Step 3. Step 2 comprises two components - Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Science (CS); each component has to be taken separately. Step 1 and Step 2 components can be taken in any sequence, but Step 3 can be taken only after all other steps and step components are complete. Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 of USMLE 2022 will be conducted in computer-based mode. However, the Step 2 CS component will be offline-based and conducted at six testing centres in the US. Step 3 also can only be taken in the US. Meanwhile, Step 1 and Step 2 CK can be taken in Prometric centres, which are available in almost all major cities.
USMLE 2024 Highlights
Full Exam Name
United States Medical Licensing Examination
Short Exam Name
USMLE
Conducting Body
Federation of State Medical Boards
Exam Level
University Level Exam
Languages
English
Mode of Application
Online
Duration
USMLE Step 1 - 8 Hours
USMLE Step 2 CK - 9 Hours
USMLE Step 3 - 16 Hours
The USMLE: Purpose, Format, and Lengths
STEP 1
Purpose
Assesses the examinee’s understanding of and ability to apply important concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy
Format
Approximately 280 multiple- choice questions, divided into seven 60-minute blocks
Length
One-day exam, approximately eight hours
STEP 2 CK
Purpose
Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention
Format
Approximately 318 multiple- choice questions, divided into eight 60-minute blocks
Length
One-day exam, approximately nine hours
STEP 3
Purpose
Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings
Day 1: Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP)
Assesses the examinee’s knowledge of basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective health care
Day 2: Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM)
Assesses the examinee’s ability to apply comprehensive knowledge of health and disease in the context of patient management and the evolving manifestation of disease over time
Format
Day 1: FIP
Approximately 232 multiple- choice questions, divided into six 60-minute blocks
Day 2: ACM
Approximately 180 multiple- choice questions, divided into six 45-minute blocks
Thirteen computer-based case simulations (CCS); each simulation is allotted a maximum of 10 or 20 minutes of real time
Length
Day 1: FIP
One-day test session, approximately seven hours
Day 2: ACM
One-day test session, approximately nine hours
Eligibility for the USMLE Steps
Step 1 and Step 2 CK
To be eligible, you must be in one of the following categories at the time you apply AND on the day of your examination:
a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US or Canadian medical school program leading to the MD degree that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), OR
a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US medical school leading to the DO degree that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), OR
a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school that is outside the US and Canada, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements, and that meets other eligibility criteria of the ECFMG
Note: If you are dismissed or withdraw(n) from medical school, you are not eligible for the USMLE, even if you are appealing the school’s decision or are otherwise contesting your status. If you are on a leave of absence, please check with the organization that registered you for your examination before submitting your application; if you have already registered, check before testing. Failure to notify the organization that registered you for your examination of your changed status may result in a determination that you engaged in irregular behavior and placement of a permanent annotation on your score reports and transcripts.
Step 3
Eligibility requirements for Step 3 are:
Passing scores on Step 1 and Step 2 CK, AND
An MD degree or the DO degree from an LCME- or COCA-accredited US or Canadian medical school, OR the equivalent of the MD degree from a medical school outside the US and Canada that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements and obtain ECFMG Certification, AND
Meet all other eligibility criteria as listed in the USMLE Bulletin of Information
The USMLE program recommends that, for Step 3 eligibility, applicants should have completed, or be near completion of, at least one postgraduate training year in an accredited US graduate medical education program that meets state board licensing requirements.
Note: If you have attempted a Step four or more times, including incomplete attempts, and have not passed, you are ineligible to apply for any Step in the USMLE exam sequence. Attempts at the formerly administered Step 2 CS count toward the limit.
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