To be certified by ECFMG, international medical graduates must, among other requirements, pass a medical science examination. Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing ExaminationT (USMLE) are the exams currently administered that meet the medical science examination requirement for ECFMG certification. To meet the medical science examination requirement for ECFMG certification, you must pass both Step 1 and Step 2. You can take Step 1 or Step 2 in either order, provided you meet the eligibility requirements for these exams.

Step 1 is the basic medical science component of the medical science examination. 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 2 is the clinical science component of the medical science examination. Step 2 assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.

In 1999, the United States Medical Licensing Examination was converted from paper and pencil format to computer-based format. As a result, paper and pencil administrations of Step 1 and Step 2 are no longer offered. Computer-based based administrations of Step 1 and Step 2 are offered continuously at test centers worldwide. You can apply for Step 1 and Step 2 at any time , provided you meet the eligibility requirements for these exams.

Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for Step 1 and Step 2 differ depending on whether you are a medical school student or a medical school graduate .

Important Note : If your eligibility for an exam changes after you apply but before you take the exam, you are required to inform ECFMG immediately of this change in your status.

Medical School Students

To be eligible for Step 1 and Step 2 , you must be officially enrolled in a medical school located outside of the United States and Canada that is listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) , both at the time that you apply and at the time you take the exam. In addition, the "Graduation Years" in IMED for your medical school must be listed as "Current" at the time you apply and at the time you take the exam. Your Medical School Dean, Vice Dean or Registrar must certify your current enrollment status on the application. This certification must be current ; the official must have signed the application within four months of its receipt by ECFMG. As soon as you graduate and receive your medical diploma, you must send two photocopies of your medical diploma and one full-face photograph to ECFMG (see Provision of Credentials and Translations ). The photograph that you send must be current; it must have been taken within six months of the date that you send it. A photocopy of a photograph is not acceptable.

In addition to being currently enrolled as described above, to be eligible for Step 1, you must also have completed at least two years of medical school. This eligibility requirement means that you must have completed the basic medical science component of the medical school curriculum by the beginning of your eligibility period for Step 1.

In addition to being currently enrolled as described above , to be eligible for Step 2, you must be within twelve months of completion of the full didactic curriculum by the beginning of your eligibility period for Step 2.

ECFMG reserves the right to re-verify with the medical school the eligibility of medical school students who are registered for Step 1 and Step 2. If ECFMG requests re-verification of your student status with your medical school, ECFMG will release your score report for the USMLE Step 1 and / or Step 2 only after re-verification of your status has been received by ECFMG.