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“Preparing for the USMLE: A Complete Guide to Exam Content and Format”

October 28, 2023

The first steps for a doctor who graduated abroad to obtain his license to practice medicine in the United States are as follows:

Complete the certification process of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This process is necessary to demonstrate that the doctor has the knowledge and skills necessary to practice medicine in the United States. To complete this process, the doctor must pass the Basic Science Knowledge Examination for Foreign Medical Graduates (Step 1) and the Clinical Knowledge Examination for Foreign Medical Graduates (Step 2).

Obtain a medical practice license in a state in the United States. Once the doctor has completed the ECFMG certification process, she can begin applying for a medical practice license in a state in the United States. To obtain a license, the doctor must meet each state’s education, experience, and examination requirements.
The following are the details of each step:

1. ECFMG certification process
The ECFMG certification process consists of the following steps:
Registration Application: The physician must complete an online registration application on the ECFMG website.

Basic Science Knowledge Exam for Foreign Medical Graduates (Step 1): This exam evaluates the doctor’s knowledge of basic sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology.

Clinical Knowledge Examination for Foreign Medical Graduates (Step 2): This examination evaluates the doctor’s clinical skills, such as diagnosing and treating diseases.

Clinical Knowledge Examination for Foreign Medical Graduates 2 (Step 2 CK): This examination is similar to Step 2, but focuses on clinical medicine.

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 3): This exam is a comprehensive clinical examination that evaluates a physician’s skills and knowledge for the practice of medicine in the United States.

2. Obtaining a medical practice license in a state of the United States
The requirements for obtaining a medical practice license in a state in the United States vary by state. In general, doctors who graduate abroad must meet the following requirements:

Education: The physician must have received a medical degree from a medical school accredited by the Association of American Colleges of Medicine (LCME) or an equivalent organization.

Experience: The physician must have relevant clinical experience, such as a residency or fellowship.
Exam: The doctor must pass a state medical licensing exam.
Foreign medical graduates who have completed the ECFMG certification process are generally exempt from the requirement to pass a basic medical education examination (COMLEX). However, they must still pass a state medical licensing exam.
For more information about the requirements for obtaining a license to practice medicine in the United States, foreign-trained physicians should consult the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) website.