USMLE Exam Eligibility Criteria
USMLE: is one of the top medical entrance exams, For those willing to explore the insights of this test, here is a blog that aims to elucidate the essential elements regarding it.
April 16, 2022
About USMLE
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is considered to be one of the toughest exams in the world qualifying which you will be entitled to practice the esteemed profession of medicine in the United States of America. Jointly sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Board (FSMB) and National Board for Medical Examiners (NBME), If you aspire to enter the reputable profession of Medicine or pursue MD in USA, the USMLE is the only gateway.
There are three stages in this USMLE such as stage, stage 2, stage 3 wherein stage 2 is further subdivided into 2 phases namely, stage 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) and stage 2 CS (Clinical Skills). It is mandatory to clear all the three steps to become a medical practitioner in the states.
USMLE exam is a computer-based test expect for the step CS test which will be conducted in offline mode.
USMLE Exam Eligibility Criteria
Following are some important stepwise prerequisites of the USMLE exam:
For Step 1, Step 2 CS and CK
- Candidates must be a graduate or enrolled in a medical school outside the US or Canada which are mentioned in the Wolrd Directory of Medical School;
- Must meet the requirements under ECFMG criteria;
For Step 3
- Applicants must possess an MD degree or its equivalent from a medical institution out of US and Canada registered under the World Directory of Medical Schools;
- It is necessary to qualify Step 1 and both the parts of step 2;
- Candidates must possess an ECFMG certificate
Exam Pattern for USMLE Exam
stepwise inclusions of the USMLE exam:
- Step 1: Candidates’ skills regarding the usage of various principle and mechanisms related to health, disease, modes of therapy along with basic sciences which will be required to practice the medicine:
Step |
Format |
Duration |
Step 1 |
On an Average 280 MCQs |
One day test session (approximately 8 hours) |
- Step 2 : The Clinical Skills (CS) examination will gauge the candidate’s knowledge regarding how the candidates will gather information about patients, perform physical examinations and other concepts.
Step |
Format |
Duration |
Step 2 CS |
12 patient cases in which 15 minutes to encounter patient whereas 10 minutes to draft records for each patient will be given |
One day test (8 Hours) |
Step 2 CK |
Around 318 MCQs |
One day test (9 hours) |
- Step 3: knowledge about the understanding of the biomedical and clinical science with an emphasis on patient management:
Step |
Format |
Duration |
Step 3 Day 1 Foundation of Independent Practice (FIP) |
Approximately 232 MCQs |
Approximately 7 hours |
Step 3 Day 2 Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM) |
Thirteen computer-based case stimulation |
Approximately 9 hours |
Test Centres for USMLE Exam Across the Globe
Testing Region |
Prometric Testing Centres Location |
Surcharge |
|
Canada |
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan |
$0 |
$0 |
The United States and & its territories |
All U.S. states and Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands |
$0 |
$0 |
Asia |
Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, Philippines, and Singapore |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
Australia |
Australia and New Zealand |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
Africa |
Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
China |
People’s Republic of China |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
India |
India |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
Indonesia |
Indonesia |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
Latin America |
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
Middle East |
Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
Thailand |
Thailand |
$150(INR-11,123.36) |
$170(INR-12606.48) |
Taiwan |
Taiwan |
$185(INR-13718.81) |
$210(INR-15572.71) |
Europe |
Armenia, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK |
$185(INR-13718.81) |
$210(INR-15572.71) |
Korea |
Korea |
$185(INR-13718.81) |
$210(INR-15572.71) |
Japan |
Japan |
$365(INR-27066.85) |
$410(INR-30403.06) |
Anyone can apply through ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates).
Number of Attempts for USMLE Exam
- Assuming that you have endeavored a Step at least multiple times, including fragmented endeavors, and have not passed, you are ineligible to apply for any Step in the USMLE test grouping.
- Number of attempts are controlled at Step 2 CS count toward the cutoff.
- Number of attempts at a Step are figured in with the cutoff, paying little mind to when the assessments were taken.
- Many state clinical studies state that all Steps of the USMLE test grouping be effectively finished inside a specific time span.
- You may not take the same Step more than three times within a 12-month period.
Your fourth attempt must be at least 12 months after your first attempt at that examination and at least six months after you