Certification
Medical Science Examination
Applicants for ECFMG Certification must pass the basic medical and clinical science components of the medical science examination. Step 1 (basic medical science) and Step 2 (clinical science) of the USMLE are the examinations currently administered that satisfy the medical science examination requirement for ECFMG Certification. (ECFMG also accepts, for the purpose of its certification, certain formerly-administered medical science examinations. Refer to Examination History.)
ECFMG determines eligibility and registers international medical students/graduates for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2. [The National Board of Medical Examiners performs these functions for applicants from U.S. and Canadian medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).] Step 1 and Step 2 are delivered via computer by Prometric®, part of the Thomson Corporation, through its network of test centers worldwide.
During 2002, ECFMG completed 20,745 registrations for Step 1 and 13,442 registrations for Step 2. Examinee performance data for recent administrations of Step 1 and Step 2 are provided in Exhibits 1 and 2. Of the Step 1/Step 2 exams administered in 2002, 63.9% were delivered in test centers located in the United States and Canada, while 36.1% of these administrations took place in foreign test centers.
Exhibit 1
Examinee Performance for International Medical Students/Graduates Taking USMLE Step 1 and Step 2
Step 1:
The data in this exhibit reflect examinee performance for Step 1 administrations from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002.
Step 1 First Takers are those examinees with no prior Step 1 and no prior NBME Part I examinations.
Step 2:
The data in this exhibit reflect examinee performance for Step 2 administrations from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.
Step 2 First Takers are those examinees with no prior Step 2 and no prior NBME Part II examinations.
Step 1 and Step 2 administrations include those with results of Pass, Fail, Incomplete, Indeterminate, and Withheld.
Citizenship for both Step 1 and Step 2 is as of the time of entrance into medical school.
Exhibit 2
Examinee Performance: USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Administered to International Medical Students/Graduates and to Students/Graduates of LCME- and AOA-Accredited U.S./Canadian Medical Schools
The data in this exhibit reflect examinee performance for Step 1 administrations from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002, and Step 2 administrations from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002.
USMGs: Students/Graduates of LCME- and AOA-Accredited U.S./Canadian Medical Schools
IMGs: International Medical Students/Graduates
The terms ECFMG®, CSA®, and FAIMER® are registered in the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.