USMLE Step 1
USMLE Step 2CK (Clinical Knowledge)
USMLE Step 2CS (Clinical Skills)
USMLE Step 3
Download a brochure with further details about the USMLE & US Residency
To work or train as a licensed doctor in the US, US and International Medical Graduates must complete the USMLEs (United States Medical Licensing Exam). These are taken by US medical graduates throughout their medical education and training.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must also take the USMLE exams. They must take the USMLE Step 1& 2 to gain ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) Certification - required for anyone wishing to work or train in the US.
Most IMGs who wish to work in the US will need to complete Residency in order to work. Residency is a 3-6 year training program in a certain Medical Specialty. USMLE Step 1 & 2CK scores are vital to gain Residency - they are used as initial screening, and high scores mean success!
Remember! You can only re-take the USMLE exams if you fail. You cannot retake to get a better score and scores are vital to gain Residency. Preparing well for the USMLE exams is essential!
The USMLE Exams
The USMLE exam series is split into 3 Steps: the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3. The USMLE Step 2 consists of two parts, the USMLE Step 2CK or Clinical Knowledge and USMLE Step 2CS or Clinical Skills.
The chart below outlines each of the exams.
Comparing the USMLE Exams
| USMLE Step 1 | USMLE Step 2CK | USMLE Step 2CS | USMLE Step 3 | |
| Tests | Basic Sciences | Clinical Sciences | Common Clinical Problems
Communication Spoken English Proficiency |
Patient Management |
| Subjects | Anatomy
Behavioral Science Immunology Microbiology Biochemistry Pharmacology Physiology Pathology |
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics OB/GYN Surgery Neurology Psychiatry Public Health |
Patient Interaction
Communication Spoken English Proficiency Patient Note Writing |
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics OB/GYN Surgery Psychiatry Ethics & Epidemiology |
| US Graduates Take | Year 2 of Medical School | 4th Year of Medical School | 4th Year of Medical School | After 1st Year of Residency |
| Scores | 188(75) | 189(75) | Pass/Fail | 187(75) |
| Exam Format | Computer Based
7 Blocks |
Computer Based
8 Blocks |
Live Exam
Standardized Patient Interaction |
Computer Based
Multiple Choice Questions 7 Blocks on day 1 4 blocks + Clinical Case Simulations day 2 |
| Question Format | Multiple Choice
One Best Answer Clinical Vignette |
Multiple Choice
One Best Answer Clinical Vignette & Extended Matching |
12 Standardized Patients | Multiple Choice
One Best Answer Clinical Vignette & Clinical Case Simulations |
| Timing | 8 Hours
60 min break |
9 Hours
60 min break |
9 Hours
15 Patient Interactions 10 min Patient Notes |
2 day exam
Day 1 - 7 hours Day 2 - 6 hours |
| Exam Order | No Order | No Order | No Order | Pass Step 1 & 2 |
| Register for the Exam | ECFMG
(Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) |
ECFMG
(Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) |
ECFMG
(Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) |
FSMB
(Federal State Medical Board) |
| Registration Fee | $740 | $740 | $1,295 | $690 |
| Exam Location | International | International | California, Houston
Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago |
US Only |
Useful Website Addresses:
ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) - www.ecfmg.org
FSMB (Federal State Medical Board) - www.fsmb.org
