In the United States, medicine is a licensed profession regulated by the individual states. One of the most important functions of the nation’s state medical boards is issuing licenses to physicians.
While the specific requirements for obtaining a medical license vary somewhat between jurisdictions, state medical boards review the credentials of applicants and look closely at a number of factors, including: Mental, moral, and physical fitness to safely practice medicine
The medical practice act in most jurisdictions restricts individuals holding a physician credential from publicly representing themselves as physicians unless they hold a medical license in that jurisdiction.
The USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills exam was a standardized test that assessed candidates on their ability to gather information from patients, perform physical examinations, and communicate their findings to patients and colleagues. It was discontinued in 2021.
Medical licensure requirements and processes vary by state, so make sure you understand what the exact requirements are for the state in which you are applying for licensure. Most state medical boards require, at a minimum: 1 Proof of graduation from an accredited medical school 2 Proof of completion of at least one year of residency 3 Proof of completion of an approved license exam 4 Medical licensing fee payment 5 Passing a criminal background check.
After having helped thousands of physicians navigate the medical licensure process in all 50 states, we have learned firsthand the importance of honesty when it comes to medical license applications. Rather than attempting to hide negative information from a medical board, it is always better to be forthcoming in explaining the circumstances. In most cases, medical boards are understanding. Many of our clients have blemished records, and we have been able to support them in successfully achieving medical licensure.
It was discontinued in 2021.
Physicians with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree must pass either the USMLE or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) exam for medical licensure.
The criticism was two-fold: First, for the mishandling and poor communication of exam cancellations by both USMLE program administrators and the third-party exam administrator, Prometric. Second, the pandemic crisis exacerbated existing resentment towards the high-stakes nature of the exam: namely, several students and physicians were upset that the USMLE refused to move up the 2022 deadline of making Step 1 into a pass or fail exam.
USMLE mean and median scores have increased significantly in the past decades—so much so that the testing board had to increase the score it takes to pass. A large part of the increase was attributed in empirically-based research articles to performance improvement factors such as using a question bank to prepare for the test.
USMLE Step 3 is the final exam in the USMLE sequence and assesses whether medical school students or graduates can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in ambulatory settings. Graduates of US medical schools typically take this exam at the end of the first year of residency. Examinees are tested on the following subjects: central nervous system, eye/ear/nose/mouth/throat, respiratory system, circulatory system, digestive system, behavioral/emotional disorders, musculoskeletal system, skin/subcutaneous tissue, endocrine/nutrition/metabolic disorders, kidneys/urinary tract, reproductive system, pregnancy/childbirth, neonate/childhood illnesses, blood and blood-forming organs, infectious/parasitic diseases, injuries/wound/toxic effects/burns, and health maintenance issues.
The United States Medical Licensing Examination ( USMLE) is a three-step examination program for medical licensure in the United States. It is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). U.S. physicians with an M.D. degree and international medical graduates are required to pass this examination before being permitted to practice medicine in the United States unsupervised Individual states often add their own additional requirements.) Physicians with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree are permitted to take either the USMLE or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) exam for medical licensure.
The USMLE was first designed in the late 1980s and introduced during the period 1992 to 1994. The program replaced the NBME Part Examination program and the FSMB's Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) program, which were the widely accepted medical licensing examination programs at the time in the medical profession.
The United States Medical Licensing Examination ® (USMLE®) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the U.S. The USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis ...
The Bulletin includes information on all aspects of USMLE, such as eligibility requirements, scheduling test dates, testing, and score reporting. You must review and become familiar with the Bulletin before completing your application for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 (CK and CS), or Step 3.
Most Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores are reported within 3-4 weeks of testing. However, because of necessary annual modifications to the test item pools, there will be a delay in reporting for some examinees who test beginning on or after the week of June 28, 2021 .
In May 2020 , the USMLE program further extended USMLE eligibility periods through June 30, 2021. Beginning April 1, 2021, the temporary fee ...
First, Step 1 score reporting will transition to pass/fail only for administrations on or after January 26, 2022. Second, as part of best practices for licensing and certification examinations, the USMLE program reviews the minimum passing score of each Step exam every three to four years.
If you need to receive Step 2 CK scores before August 25, 2021, the USMLE p... Two United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) Step 1 changes may coincide in early 2022. First, Step 1 score reporting will transition to pass/fail only for administrations on or after January 26, 2022. Second, as part of best practices for licensing ...
If you need to receive Step 1 scores before July 7, 2021, the USMLE program ...
A temporary faculty appointment license may be renewed for a maximum of three years.
Category 2: Temporary License for Physician Coverage. A temporary license may be granted to a physician who is licensed to practice medicine in another state, or a physician who is eligible for a Massachusetts medical license and is a diplomate of a specialty board approved by the AMA or AOA.
ACGME/AOA Approved Position: Proof of an appointment to an ACGME or AOA approved postgraduate training program in Massachusetts or a fellowship in Massachusetts health care facility, which conducts on its premises ACGME or AOA approved programs.
A short-term temporary license may be granted to a physician who wishes to serve for not more than thirty days as visiting faculty in an accredited hospital associated with a medical school in Massachusetts.
7 Year Time Limit: All Steps of the USMLE and all Levels of the COMLEX must be completed within 7 years. The Board may, in certain circumstances, grant a waiver of the 7 year time limit.
Temporary License: There are also several temporary license categories which may be granted by the Board, including: Temporary License for Faculty Appointment; Temporary License for Physician Coverage; Temporary License for Enrollment in Medical Education Course; and Temporary License for Short-Term Faculty Appointment.
Full License: A full license allows a physician to practice medicine independently.
Due to statutory requirements regarding processing times for application fees, the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency will no longer accept more than ten (10) fees per individual check for the application or renewal of a medical license with the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana.
Laura Turner, J.D., Board Director Christine Cowdin, Assistant Board Director
American Psychological Association, Committee on Accreditation : Accredits only doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, school and combined professional-scientific psychology.
Many programs in professional healthcare (such as those for emergency medical technicians, anesthesiologist assistants, medical assistants, and respiratory therapists, to name just a few) are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.
ABHES is a specialized accrediting agency, pushing the bar for high quality health training programs.
American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation : Accredits only those dental education programs leading to a doctoral degree in dentistry (a D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree).
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education : Accredits only those programs leading to a doctoral degree in pharmacy. American College of Nurse-Midwives, Accreditation Commission : Accredits all types of nurse-midwifery education programs, including free-standing centers and distance education programs.
Fitting under its umbrella of excellence, are over 2000 health education programs. CAAHEP is a recognized accrediting agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field.
If you are looking to begin a career in the healthcare industry, you will want to first find a quality healthcare education program that is accredited by a reputable agency. Healthcare schools are held to similar standards for accreditation as educational programs in other areas, however are usually accredited by different, more specialized agencies.
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) that physicians with a medical degree and international medical graduates must pass after successful completion of medical training to receive their medical license and begin practicing medicine.
The USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to determine fundamental patient-centered skills that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Examination committees composed of medical educators and clinicians from across the United States and its territories create the examination materials each year. At least two committees critically appraise each test item or c…
The USMLE was first designed in the late 1980s and introduced during the period 1992 to 1994. The program replaced the NBME Part Examination program and the FSMB's Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) program, which were the widely accepted medical licensing examination programs at the time in the medical profession. In 2004, a clinical-skills examination was added to Step 2 of the USMLE (USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills, and beginning with the medical school gradu…
The USMLE program is composed of three examinations:
• Step 1
• Step 2 CK
• Step 3
USMLE Step 1 assesses whether medical school students or graduates understand and can appl…
The USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams can be taken at Prometric test centers worldwide. The Step 3 can only be taken in the United States.
The USMLE Step 1 is typically taken during a student's second year of medical school. The one-day exam tests them on basic science principles, including behavioral science, microbiology, physiology, and anatomy. The exam announced a move to a pass/fail model on February 12, 202…
A study from 2016 showed little to no correlation between MCAT scores and USMLE Step 1 scores, as well as little to no correlation between MCAT scores and the NBME scores. However, since the 82 students on whom this study was conducted all attended the same medical school, the usefulness of these results in the broader medical school population may be of limited value.
Furthermore, research conducted on students between 1998 and 2004, although outdated, and c…
The USMLE was met with criticism for their lack of adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The criticism was two-fold: First, for the mishandling and poor communication of exam cancellations by both USMLE program administrators and the third-party exam administrator, Prometric. Second, the pandemic crisis exacerbated existing resentment towards the high-stakes nature of the exam: namely, several students and physicians were upset that the USMLE refuse…
• The "Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination" (COMLEX-USA) is required for osteopathic physicians in the United States
• The American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination (APMLE) is required for Podiatric Physicians in the United States.
• Ärztliche Prüfungen, overseen by the IMPP, in Germany