You are required to take the USMLE exams to gain ECFMG certification and eventually Board Certification in the US.
ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) Certification is required for all International Medical Graduates who wish to work or train in the US and to gain this you'll need to take and pass the USMLE Step 1, Step 2CK and Step 2CS exams.
To gain State Licensure, you'll need to take the USMLE Step 3, which is typically taken by US Medical Graduates after their first year of Residency.
To gain Board Certification, enabling you to work in any US state, in any job, you'll need to complete a Residency Training Program.
Click here if you're looking for USMLE practice questions and a free USMLE diagnostic test
| USMLE | Step 1 | Step 2CK | Step 2CS | Step 3 |
| Tests |
Basic Sciences Mechanisms of Health & Disease
|
Clinical Sciences Application to patient care
|
Common Clinical Problems Communication, Spoken English Proficiency, Patient Interaction |
Patient Management & follow up treatment |
| Subjects |
Anatomy |
Internal Medicine Pediatrics OB/GYN Surgery Neurology Psychiatry Public Health |
Common Clinical Problems | Internal Medicine OB/GYN Surgery Psychiatry Ethics & Epidemiology |
| US Graduates Test | After Y2 at Med School | After Y4 at Med School | After Y4 at Med School | After Y1 of Residency |
| Passing Score | 188 | 189 | Pass/Fail | 190 |
| Exam Format |
Computer Based Multiple Choice Questions 7 Blocks of Questions |
Computer Based Multiple Choice Questions 8 Blocks of Questions |
Live Exam Standardized Patient Interactions |
Computer Based Multiple Choice Question 7 Blocks on day 1 4 blocks + Clinical Case Simulations on 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 | 9 Hours | 9 hours |
2 day exam Day 2-6 hours |
| Exam Order | No order | No order | No order | Must pass Step 1, 2CK & 2CS |
| Register for the Exam | ECFMG | ECFMG | ECFMG | FSMB |
| Exam Fee |
$740 $130-$330 international test delivery charge |
$740 $130-$330 international test delivery charge |
$1,295 |
$690 |
| Exam Location | International, including UK | International, including UK | LA, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago | US only |