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.
Purpose and Structure
The USMLE assesses a medical student's knowledge of basic science concepts and their application to clinical medicine. The 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. States may enact additional testing and/or licensing requirements.
- Step 1: Focuses on basic science concepts and principles that provide a foundation for safe and effective patient care.
- Step 2: Includes two components: Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Clinical Skills (CS). CK assesses clinical science knowledge, while CS evaluates communication and interpersonal skills, spoken English proficiency, and clinical problem-solving.
- Step 3: Evaluates the application of medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine.
Eligibility and Administration
The USMLE is administered by the NBME and the FSMB. Eligibility requirements include enrollment in or graduation from a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). International medical graduates must meet specific requirements to be eligible for the USMLE.
Scoring and Passing
Each step of the USMLE is scored separately, with passing scores determined by the USMLE Management Committee. The passing score for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 is 196, while the passing score for Step 2 CS is a pass/fail result. Scores are reported on a three-digit scale, with a maximum score of 300 for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3.