The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. It assesses a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, critical in health and disease and constituting the basis of safe and effective patient care.

The USMLE is required for medical students and graduates who wish to practice medicine in the United States. This includes both U.S. medical students and international medical graduates (IMGs).

Registration for Step 1 and Step 2 CK is done through the ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) for IMGs or through the NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) for U.S. medical graduates. For Step 3, candidates must apply through the FSMB (Federation of State Medical Boards).

The passing score varies for each Step. As of my last update, a score of 194 is needed to pass Step 1, and a similar threshold applies to the other Steps. It’s crucial to check the latest requirements as these thresholds can change.

You are allowed to take the same Step or Step Component a maximum of six times. Retakes are permitted, but conditions apply, including waiting periods between attempts.

Eligibility for the USMLE steps varies:

• Step 1 and Step 2 CK: You must be officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school outside of the U.S. and Canada that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
• Step 3: You must hold an MD degree or its equivalent and have passed Step 1 and Step 2 CK.