Important Information on Clinical Skills Examination History and Eligibility for USMLE™ Step 3

The USMLE 2005 Bulletin of Information outlines policies regarding an applicant's clinical skills examination history and eligibility for Step 3, with which you will want to be familiar. The purpose of this notice is to clarify:

• how these policies affect your eligibility for Step 3, based on your clinical skills examination history, and
• how taking or retaking Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS) may affect your Step 3 eligibility.

Selected USMLE Policies

1. Beginning July 1, 2005, international medical graduates (IMGs) registering for Step 3 will be required to have passed either USMLE Step 2 CS or the ECFMG® Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA®).

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

3. Individuals who are not required to pass Step 2 CS for Step 3 eligibility, but who take it and fail, are not eligible for Step 3 until their most recent Step 2 CS performance is a pass (and they meet all other Step 3 eligibility requirements).

A limited exception to policies 2 and 3 noted above has been approved for individuals in certain circumstances, which may be applicable to you.

Your Clinical Skills Examination History and How It Affects Your Step 3 Eligibility

For specific information, select the statement below that reflects your clinical skills examination history.

1. I have never taken the ECFMG CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS.
2. My most recent clinical skills performance (ECFMG CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS) is a pass.
3. My most recent clinical skills performance (ECFMG CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS) is a fail, and I have not previously passed the ECFMG CSA.
4. My most recent clinical skills performance (ECFMG CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS) is a fail, but I previously passed the ECFMG CSA.