Working as a Doctor in the U.S.

United States Medical Licensing Examination

The USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts and principles that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Each of the three complements the others; no one can stand alone in the assessment of readiness for medical licensure.

Because individual medical licensing authorities make decisions regarding use of USMLE results, you should contact the jurisdiction where you intend to apply for licensure to obtain complete information. The Federation of State Medical Boards" can provide general information on medical licensure.

The following sites also may help:

• National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME): For students/graduates of medical schools in the US or Canada taking or planning to take Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 2 CS
• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG): For students/graduates of medical schools outside the US and Canada taking or planning to take Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 2 CS
• Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB): For any student / graduate taking or planning to take Step 3. Also for students / graduates looking for information about medical licensure.