The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination program for medical licensure in the United States, sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Individuals with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree are required to pass the USMLE for medical licensure. Those with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO) may take either the COMLEX-USA or the USMLE for medical licensure, with the COMLEX-USA being required for osteopathic licensure. It is a standardized test that assesses a medical student's knowledge of basic science concepts and their application to clinical medicine.
Clinical Knowledge in the USMLE
The USMLE exam is divided into three components required for medical licensure in the United States and is typically taken by students after their second year of medical school.
- Components: The three components are Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK), and Step 3. Step 1 assesses understanding of basic science concepts. Step 2 CK evaluates clinical knowledge and skills. Step 3 tests the application of medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science.
Exam Structure
The exam is designed to ensure that physicians have the medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine.
- Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK): This component focuses on the application of medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision. It is a multiple-choice test that assesses the ability to apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine.