The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), is a three step examination. It is a USMLE exam is conducted by United States (US). The USMLE is owned by two entities Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). It has to be given by the medical students who have passed MD and wants to practice medicine. Each medical licensing authority sets its own rules and regulations and requires passing an examination that demonstrates qualification for licensure. USMLE is governed by a committee of  ECFMG, FSMB, NBME and public.  Â
One National Examination – United States Medical Licensing Examination or USMLE.
Before the commencement, of USMLE various examination are conducted NBME i.e., National Board of Medical Examiners, FLEX i.e., Federation Licensing Examination. The basic idea of conducting USMLE examination is to maintain one national examination for all the MD passed out doctors. It is to ensure that all the students have passed out from the same assessment standards.
Eligibility to apply for United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) examination
The candidates should know the eligibility criteria for applying in the USMLE examination. USMLE examination is necessary to passed by all the doctors who want to obtain the license for practicing in US. The students who are willing to practice in US but they are doing their MBBS in India are also eligible to apply for USMLE examination.
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) – A three step examination
USMLE is a three step examination conducted to test the ability of the candidates who want to attain the medical degree license. So, this USMLE examination is conducted in three steps and each step contains some process. The process includes some tests, on field tests i.e., clinical tests and knowledge. All the steps are concisely explained here, as follow as:
Step 1: System and Process
It is a 1 day examination of seven 60 minutes block and administered one 8-hour testing session. The number of questions per block on a given examination form may vary, but will not exceed 40. The total number of items on the overall examination form will not exceed 280
step 2 CK i.e; Clinical Knowledge, Step 2 CS i.e; Clinical Sciences
Step 2 CK is a one-day examination. It is divided into eight 60-minute blocks and administered in one 9-hour testing session. The number of questions per block on a given examination will vary but will not exceed 40. The total number of items on the overall examination will not exceed 318.
USMLE step 2 CK and Step 2 CS assesses the candidates to show their medical skills and knowledge. The examination is conducted to see the candidates ability to understand the clinical knowledge to care for patients under the supervision of the seniors and includes the detection and prevention of the disease.
Step 2 CK is a one-day examination. It is divided into eight 60-minute blocks and administered in one 9-hour testing session. The number of questions per block on a given examination will vary but will not exceed 40. The total number of items on the overall examination will not exceed 318.
The examination also includes a minimum allotment of 45 minutes of break time and a 15-minute optional tutorial. The amount of time available for breaks may be increased by finishing a block of test items.
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE): Step 3
The candidates who have passed the step 1, step 2 CK, step 2 CS are eligible to given step 3 examination. The USMLE step 3 is the final step of USMLE examination. This step intends to see that the aspirants are able to provide clinical services. The Step 3 is a 2 day examination. It is divided into two parts Federation of Independent Practice (FIP), Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM).
Day 1 Federation of Independent Practice (FIP), of Step 3 examination
The test basically includes assessment of knowledge of basic medicine and scientific principles, health care, medical ethics, patients safety. The first day includes 232 multiple choice questions/ items that are divided into 6 blocks of 38-39 items. The total time allotted for the first day examination is 7 hours with 45 minutes of break and 5 minutes of optional tutorial. For completing each block 60 minutes are allotted.
Day 2 Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM), of Step 3
The day 2 test includes the assessment of knowledge of diagnosis and management. The test focuses on the prognosis and maintaining health of the patients and medical decision making. The candidates have to go through the diagnostic studies and physical examination. The second day includes 180 multiple choice questions/ items that are divided into 6 blocks of 30 items. The total time allotted for the second day examination is 9 hours with 45 minutes of break and 7 minutes of optional tutorial. This is followed by 13 case simulations, each of which is allotted a maximum of 10-20 minutes of real time. For completing each block 45 minutes are allotted.
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