USMLE application process for IMGs

What is the USMLE Examination?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE: https://www.usmle.org) offers a direct pathway for primary licensure to graduates from LCME-accredited medical schools in the United States and Canada, as well as international medical graduates (IMGs) from accredited osteopathic medical schools.

To achieve ECFMG Certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (https://www.ecfmg.org), individuals must successfully pass the USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 CK, confirming they have the essential clinical skills and knowledge for independent, general medical practice. The USMLE Step 2 CS was suspended in March 2020 due to the pandemic. On January 26, 2021, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the USMLE co-sponsors, announced they would not pursue relaunching a modified Step 2 CS.

There are no plans to reinstate Step 2 CS. Instead, both organizations will collaborate with others to integrate these vital skills into the education and licensure framework.

State licensure boards use the USMLE to provide independent, valid, and reliable assessments, supporting their role in granting primary medical practice licenses. Additionally, undergraduate medical schools use USMLE results for curriculum evaluation and graduation decisions. The results are also important in the residency selection process. International graduates must pass Step 1 and Step 2 CK of the USMLE for ECFMG certification.

Who Can Take the USMLE Examinations?

Before registering for USMLE Step 1, you must establish eligibility.

To qualify, according to the USMLE, you need to be in one of the following categories when you apply AND on the exam day:

• A medical student enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US or Canadian medical school program leading to the MD degree, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), OR

• A medical student enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US medical school leading to the DO degree, accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), OR

• A medical student enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school outside the US and Canada, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements, and fulfilling other ECFMG criteria.

If you have been dismissed or withdrawn from medical school, you are no longer eligible to take the USMLE. More information is available here: https://www.usmle.org/bulletin/eligibility/

Note that U.S. law restricts interactions between U.S. organizations and entities in certain countries/regions, including Crimea, North Korea, and Syria. If you live in any of these areas, you cannot proceed with this application.

What does the USMLE Step 1 test assess?

The Step 1 exam evaluates whether a candidate understands and can apply fundamental scientific concepts to medical practice, focusing on the principles and mechanisms related to health, disease, and treatment methods. This exam ensures that a candidate has mastered the essential foundations required for lifelong competency as a medical professional.

The Step 1 exam is structured into seven 60-minute blocks and is conducted in a single 8-hour testing session. Practice materials, including Sample Test Items (PDF) and a web-based Tutorial and Practice Test Items, can be found on the USMLE website: https://www.usmle.org.

In January 2022, the USMLE Step 1 score reporting shifted from providing both a numeric score and a pass/fail outcome to solely a pass/fail outcome. The USMLE program considers this change a crucial initial step towards enabling wider, system-wide modifications to enhance the transition from undergraduate to graduate medical education.

Prepare to Register for the USMLE Step 1 Exam

• Ensure you possess a valid, unexpired passport.

• All exam applicants must review the relevant editions of both the ECFMG Information Booklet and the USMLE Bulletin of Information. These documents are accessible on their respective organizations' websites and include crucial details of the process that are beyond the scope of this guide.

• Gather the necessary medical education details to complete your application. This includes the names and addresses of the medical schools you have attended or are currently attending, the dates of attendance, completed clinical clerkships, and any credits transferred to the medical school that has awarded or will award your medical degree.

• Verify that your school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and that students and graduates from your school are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification. Visit https://www.wdoms.org to check.

  
  

Additional documents can be sent to ECFMG by mail to the address below.

IWAECFMG3624 Market Street, 4th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19104-2685USA

ECFMG needs to receive the online portion of your application, the Certification Statement Form 183, and all necessary documents to process your application.

Exam applications are typically processed within two weeks after receiving the online portion, verification of your status from your medical school, and any other required documents. Eligible applicants are registered for USMLE once their application processing is complete.

When you receive the permit via email, ensure that all information is correct. You must bring the scheduling permit with you on Exam Day. This is the final step in your USMLE Step 1 application, but there are additional steps to complete your registration for USMLE Step 1.

To schedule your USMLE Step 1 Examination, you need to make an appointment using Prometric, the testing service that administers all USMLE exams. Visit: https://www.prometric.com/, select the Search box, and enter USMLE or go directly to https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/usmle

• On the next page, click under USMLE Step 1, and select “Step 1.”

• On the Prometric site, choose your preferred location to take the Exam.

• On the following page, choose “Schedule an Appointment.”

After accepting the disclaimers provided by Prometric, you will be directed to a screen to set your appointment. You will need your Scheduling Number (from the Permit) and the first four characters of your last name. Click “submit.” Once confirmed, you can select your test within your eligibility window. Make sure to bring a copy of your USMLE ID number and scheduling permit to the test center.

Good luck with your Step 1!