Important Information on Clinical Skills Examination History and Eligibility for USMLE™ Step 3
4. My most recent clinical skills performance (ECFMG CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS) is a fail, but I previously passed the ECFMG CSA.
If the statements in 4 above apply to you, refer to either 4.A., 4.B., or 4.C. below, depending on the date of your most recent clinical skills administration. If you have applied for Step 2 CS and, after reviewing the appropriate information below, you do not wish to proceed with the application at this time, refer to the instructions below for How to Withdraw a Step 2 CS Application. (If you do not meet all of the conditions described under the appropriate category [4.A., 4.B., or 4.C.] below, refer to the USMLE Bulletin of Information for information on Step 3 eligibility.)
4.A. My most recent clinical skills performance (a fail on the ECFMG CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS) took place on or before December 20, 2004.
4.B. My most recent clinical skills performance (a fail on Step 2 CS) took place on or after February 1, 2005.
4.C. My most recent clinical skills performance (a fail on Step 2 CS) took place after December 20, 2004 but before February 1, 2005.4.A. My most recent clinical skills performance (a fail on the ECFMG CSA or USMLE Step 2 CS) took place on or before December 20, 2004.
IF:
You have previously passed the ECFMG CSA; AND
Your most recent clinical skills performance is a fail on an administration of the ECFMG CSA or Step 2 CS taken on or before December 20, 2004; AND
Before this most recent clinical skills administration, you had passed Step 1 and Step 2 CK and were certified by ECFMG;THEN:
You are not required to take and pass Step 2 CS to be eligible for Step 3, regardless of whether you register for Step 3 before, on, or after July 1, 2005. As a limited exception to policy 2 at the beginning of this notice, your prior pass on the CSA will be accepted for purposes of meeting the clinical skills examination requirement for Step 3.
However, if, after December 20, 2004, you apply for, take, and fail a subsequent Step 2 CS, you will not be eligible for Step 3, regardless of when you register for Step 3, until your most recent Step 2 CS performance is a pass (and you meet all other Step 3 eligibility requirements).
4.B. My most recent clinical skills performance (a fail on Step 2 CS) took place on or after February 1, 2005.
IF:
Your most recent clinical skills performance is a fail for an administration of Step 2 CS that took place on or after February 1, 2005;
THEN:
You are required to take and pass Step 2 CS (and meet all other Step 3 eligibility requirements) before applying for Step 3.
4.C. My most recent clinical skills performance (a fail on Step 2 CS) took place after December 20, 2004 but before February 1, 2005.
IF:
You have previously passed the ECFMG CSA; AND
Your most recent clinical skills performance is a fail for an administration of Step 2 CS that took place after December 20, 2004 but before February 1, 2005; AND
On December 20, 2004, you were registered for this Step 2 CS administration; AND
Before this Step 2 CS administration, you had passed Step 1 and Step 2 CK and were certified by ECFMG;THEN:
You are not required to take and pass Step 2 CS to be eligible for Step 3, regardless of whether you register for Step 3 before, on, or after July 1, 2005. As a limited exception to policy 2 at the beginning of this notice, your prior pass on the CSA will be accepted for purposes of meeting the clinical skills examination requirement for Step 3.
However, if, after December 20, 2004, you apply for, take, and fail a subsequent Step 2 CS, you will not be eligible for Step 3, regardless of when you register for Step 3, until your most recent Step 2 CS performance is a pass (and you meet all other Step 3 eligibility requirements).
How to Withdraw a Step 2 CS Application
If you have applied for Step 2 CS and, after reviewing the preceding information, do not wish to proceed with the application at this time, you may withdraw your Step 2 CS application and receive a full refund of the examination fee paid with your application (minus any prior balance due on your ECFMG financial account).
To request withdrawal of your Step 2 CS application, send a written request by e-mail to info@ecfmg.org. Your request must include your full name and ECFMG/USMLE Identification Number. Your examination fee, less any previous balance due, will be credited to your ECFMG financial account and can be used toward future exams or services. If you will not request additional exams or services, you can send a written request to ECFMG for a refund.