USMLE
Introduction
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
The Composite Committee, appointed by the FSMB and NBME, establishes policies for the USMLE program.
Purpose of the USMLE
In the United States and its territories ("United States" or "US"), the individual medical licensing authorities ("state medical boards") of the various jurisdictions grant a license to practice medicine. Each medical licensing authority sets its own rules and regulations and requires passing an examination that demonstrates qualification for licensure. Results of the USMLE are reported to these authorities for use in granting the initial license to practice medicine. The USMLE provides them with a common evaluation system for applicants for medical licensure.
The USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Each of the three Steps complements the others; no Step can stand alone in the assessment of readiness for medical licensure. Because individual medical licensing authorities make decisions regarding use of USMLE results, you should contact the jurisdiction where you intend to apply for licensure to obtain complete information. Also, the FSMB can provide general information on medical licensure.
USMLE consist of three steps:
STEP 1 - Basic Science Exam
STEP 2CK - Clinical Knowledge Exam
STEP 2CS - Clinical Skills Exam
STEP 3 - Patient Management Skills
Step 1 assesses whether you understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy. Step 1 ensures mastery of not only the sciences that provide a foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine in the present, but also the scientific principles required for maintenance of competence through lifelong learning.
- Minimum passing score - 185/75
- Number of Questions - 336 (Computer based test)
- Duration - 8 hours
- Exam content - Basic Science (anatomy, behavioral sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, interdisciplinary topics, such as nutrition, genetics, and aging, interpret graphic and tabular material, identify gross and microscopic pathologic and normal specimens, apply basic science knowledge to clinical problems).
Step 2 assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Step 2 ensures that due attention is devoted to principles of clinical sciences and basic patient-centered skills that provide the foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine.
STEP 2CK - Clinical Knowledge Exam
- Minimum passing score - 184/75
- Number of Questions - 370 (Computer based test)
- Duration - 9 hours
- Exam content - Clinical Knowledge(internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, preventive medicine, psychiatry, surgery, other areas relevant to provision of care under supervision, a diagnosis, a prognosis, an indication of underlying mechanisms of disease, the next step in medical care, including preventive measures).
STEP 2CS - Clinical Skills Exam
- Minimum passing score – No Score(Pass/Fail)
- Duration – 7-8 hours
- Number of Questions – 12 standardized patients\
- Exam content - Clinical skills / Doctor-patient Communication [Integrated Clinical Encounter (ICE), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS), and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP)].
Step 3 assesses whether you can 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. Step 3 provides a final assessment of physicians assuming independent responsibility for delivering general medical care.
- Minimum passing score – 187/75
- Duration – 16 hours (2days)
- Number of Questions – 480 MCQ Questions& 9 Clinical Case simulations
- Exam content - Patient Management skill [Integrated Clinical Encounter (ICE), Communication and Interpersonal Skills (CIS), and Spoken English Proficiency (SEP)].
Eligibility
To be eligible for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS, you must be in one of the following categories at the time of application and on the test day:
- 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)
- a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US medical school leading to the DO degree that is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or
- a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school outside the United States and Canada and eligible for examination by the ECFMG.
If you have been dismissed from medical school, you are not eligible for USMLE, even if you are appealing the school’s decision to dismiss you.
STEP 3
To be eligible for Step 3, prior to submitting your application, you must:
- obtain the MD degree (or its equivalent) or the DO degree,
- pass Step 1, Step 2 CK, and, if required based upon the rules, Step 2 CS,
- obtain certification by the ECFMG or successfully complete a "Fifth Pathway" program
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