Can I give USMLE exam after MBBS from India?

All About USMLE Eligibility

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a crucial computer-based test for medical professionals. The National Board of Medical Examiners and Federation of State Medical Boards sponsor this three-stage examination.

Furthermore, it is critical to recognise that the eligibility requirements vary depending on the stage of the exam. Students not studying at US medical colleges must be cautious when examining data such as the institute’s accreditations. As a result, precise understanding on these key factors might be beneficial to those interested in pursuing a career in healthcare.

The US Medical Licencing Examination (USMLE) is an important computer-based test for medical practitioners. The three-stage examination is sponsored by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards.

Why Take the USMLE?

Students and US residents who intend to become practicing physicians need to appear for this test.

Students belonging to the following healthcare segments appear for USMLE:

• Allopathic medicine
• Osteopathic medicine (not mandatory)

The eligibility for the USMLE is thus strict since the programme seeks to choose only the most qualified individuals. This test includes high-quality assessment standards for persons seeking to enter the US healthcare industry as reputable licenced physicians.

Here are some of the major USMLE advantages for students and applicants:

• Thorough preparation for patient-centric service skills
• Knowledge upgradation for effective patient care
• Establishment as a highly qualified and reliable health practitioner
• Standard examination for all the states and territories in the US
• Computerized test that allows adequate scoring opportunities

The USMLE qualifying requirements are demanding. As a result, applicants will be well-equipped with appropriate knowledge during the preparation period.

In addition, there is no USMLE age limit for this crucial test. Hence, this examination can benefit all aspiring candidates regardless of major criteria.

USMLE Exam Overview

Who Can Take USMLE?

USMLE eligibility is an important topic for local and international students. A thorough understanding of this aspect can help understand the three-stage process properly.

This examination takes place in the following three steps:

• Step 1: To evaluate the ability to implement basic science concepts in medical practice. The main focus is on modes of therapy, underlying health and disease principles
• Step 2 CK: To assess the ability to apply medical knowledge for supervised patient care. This step emphasizes disease prevention and the promotion of health
• Step 3: To analyze the understanding of biomedical and clinical science for unsupervised medical practice. Here, the primary intent is to gauge the ability of patient management on an outpatient basis

The USMLE eligibility criteria for Indian students for all these steps are similar to applicants from other countries. Here’s a look at the eligibility for USMLE at each stage.

USMLE Step 1 Eligibility

To be eligible, you must be in one of the following categories at the time you apply AND on the day of your examination:

• A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US or Canadian medical school program leading to the MD degree that is accredited by the LCME, OR
• A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US medical school leading to the DO degree that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), OR
• A medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school that is outside the US and Canada, listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements, and that meets other eligibility criteria of the ECFMG. Check here.

Examinees should thus enroll in colleges that have a specific accreditation. Also, the program choice should fit into the USMLE exam eligibility.

Can I give USMLE after MBBS from India?

Yes, you can.

• You just need to check if the medical college you studied from is registered on the World Directory of Medical Schools. Go on the website and search for your college’s name.

• In case on putting the name of the college, nothing comes up. Just put the city in which you college is situated and leave the name of the college blank. You will get a list of colleges.

• Now the eligibility criteria does not end if you just found your college’s name in the list on the website. You need to check one more thing- SPONSOR NOTES.

• Even if your college name shows up but the sponsor notes tab has no text and is empty, you are NOT ELIGIBLE to give the USMLE exam. You will not be able to register for the exam.

What to do if the Sponsor Notes tab is empty in my college’s details on WDOMS?

Do not worry. It just means that your college has not given some documents to the WDOMS that are required to be completely eligible.

Solution? Just go to your college office and ask the registrar or medical superintendent to send the remainder of the documents to the WDOMS.

USMLE Step 2 Eligibility

The basic USMLE eligibility criteria to appear for the step 2 CK phase is similar to that of step 1. For instance, applicants should enroll or graduate from a recognized medical school. Also, the medical school’s accreditation should be suitable per the MD or DO degree.

In addition, applicants need to match the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) criteria. Note that this criterion is also applicable to step 1. However, it is relevant for students or graduates from medical schools outside the US and Canada.  

USMLE Step 3 Eligibility

This phase takes place on two different days. On the first day, the test aims to evaluate a candidate’s Foundations of Independent Practice. The second day focuses on Advanced Clinal Medicine.

There are multiple-choice questions that have a division of blocks based on specific minutes. Hence, this structure is intensive. For this purpose, USMLE eligibility requirements in this step are comparatively more competitive.

When to give Step 3 exam for Indians Medical Graduates?

You can only give this STEP 3 exam after you have pass the STEP 1 and STEP 2 exam. So there are 2 options for you:

• Pass the Step 1 and Step 2 exam, make your CV shine, apply for programmes, give interviews and match into a residency and then give the Step 3.
• OR, you could pass all the 3 step exams and then apply for the ECFMG certifciation and apply for prorgrames.
• Either of the above 2 if fine. The second option is considered better if you have a weak cv and have not matched into a programme after trying for one year. You can give the step 3 and add it to you application to strengthen your chances. However, this is not set in stone. You could easily matchh into a programme after passing the 2 steps and applying.

• The applicant should pass step 1 and step 2 CK with the required scores
• Possession of an MD or DO degree from an accredited US or Canadian medical school OR
• MD or equivalent degree from medical schools outside the US and Canada (listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools)

Applicants usually take the USMLE Step 3 exam after a year of residency. This segment includes MCQs and computer simulations that include patient care data.

Currently, medical education programs leading to the MD degree in Canada are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) and the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS). Effective July 1, 2025, CACMS will become the sole accrediting body for medical schools in Canada. When this change takes effect, it will likely modify USMLE registration and ECFMG Certification requirements for students and graduates of Canadian medical schools. Additional information will be provided on the USMLE and ECFMG websites as it becomes available.

Number of Attempts and Time Limits

If you have attempted a Step four or more times, including incomplete attempts, and have not passed, you are ineligible to apply for any Step in the USMLE sequence. Attempts at the formerly administered Step 2 CS count toward the limit.

Many state medical boards require that all Steps of the USMLE sequence be successfully completed within a certain time frame.

Information regarding state-specific requirements for licensure can be obtained on the FSMB website. Note: Combined degree (e.g., MD/PhD) students should reference the USMLE website for more specific information regarding exceptions to time limits.

Retaking Failed Examinations

You may not take the same Step more than three times within a 12-month period. Your fourth attempt must be at least 12 months after your first attempt at that examination and at least six months after your most recent attempt at that examination. This includes incomplete attempts.

Retaking Previously Passed Steps

If you pass a Step, you are not allowed to retake it, except to comply with a time limit imposed by a US physician licensing authority for completion of all Steps or by another authority recognized by the USMLE program. Visit the USMLE website for more information.

If you have not yet passed Step 3 and need to retake a previously passed Step 1 or Step 2 CK examination to meet a time limit imposed by a US physician licensing authority or another authority recognized by the USMLE program, you should understand that if you fail a retake, you will no longer be eligible to take Step 3.

To meet the examination requirements for Step 3 eligibility, you must have achieved a passing performance on the most recent administration of the examinations intended to meet those requirements.