Licensure to Practice Medicine in the United States

In order to be licensed and practice medicine in the United States, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) requires students to take and pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

Ross University students and graduates are eligible to sit for these exams. The USMLE has three steps, two of which are taken by students while in medical school. Students must take and pass USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS) and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (Step 2 CK) to graduate.

  • Step 1 of the USMLE is taken after completion of the Basic Science Curriculum (including the National Board of Medical Examiners' Basic Science Comprehensive Examination). Students are required to sit for this examination within a specified period of time after becoming eligible. Passing Step 1 is required for placement in clinical clerkships. For a full explanation of deadlines and procedures regarding the NBME Basic Sciences Comprehensive Exam and the USMLE Step 1, see the Student Handbook.
  • Step 2 of the USMLE is broken down into Step 2 Clinical Skills and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge. Both examinations are taken during the clerkship years after completion of the core and elective rotations. Passing Step 1 and both sections of Step 2 of the USMLE is a requirement for acceptance into residency training.
  • Step 3 of the USMLE, the final step for licensing, is taken after graduation, during, or at the conclusion of residency training.
  • Information regarding the examination may be obtained from the: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
    3624 Market Street, 4th floor
    Philadelphia, PA 19104-2805
    (215) 386-5900
    www.ecfmg.org

For detailed information on Step 2 CS scheduling and rescheduling policies, access the USMLE Bulletin of Information on the USMLE website at www.usmle.org. To view available test dates and to schedule, cancel, and reschedule a testing appointment, access Step 2 CS Scheduling from the ECFMG website at www.ecfmg.org.

The ECFMG(r) Reporter, provides international medical graduates worldwide with timely, objective information on current topics of interest. To access issues, visit the ECFMG website at www.ecfmg.org/reporter.