Issue Thirty-Three - November 6, 2003
New Information on the Transition from the ECFMG CSA® to USMLE™ Step 2 CS
Updated: Availability of Test Centers for Step 2 CS
Issue Thirty-One of The ECFMG Reporter included preliminary information on availability of test centers for Step 2 CS. Updated information on the availability of Step 2 CS test centers is now available. Currently, test centers are expected to become available for administration of Step 2 CS according to the following schedule.
- Philadelphia - June 2004
- Atlanta - July 2004
- Los Angeles - August 2004
- Chicago - September 2004
- Houston - September 2004
These dates are subject to change. Monitor the Step 2 CS information on this website for updated information.
Updated: Last Administration Dates for CSA
Issue Thirty-One also reported that the final date for administration of the ECFMG CSA would be April 16, 2004. Additional information on the end of CSA administration is now available. ECFMG expects to administer the CSA through April 16, 2004 at the Atlanta CSA Center. However, the last administration date for the CSA at the Philadelphia CSA Center has been changed from that previously announced, and is now expected to be March 26, 2004.
Applicants registered for the ECFMG CSA are randomly assigned to either the Atlanta or Philadelphia test center when they login to the CSA Candidate Scheduling system (regardless of whether they actually schedule an assessment date before exiting). Once you login and your test center is assigned, it cannot be changed. If you exit CSA Candidate Scheduling without confirming an assessment date, you will be presented with the same center when you login subsequently.
Currently, registered applicants assigned to the Atlanta test center can select any available test date through April 16, 2004. Registered applicants assigned to the Philadelphia test center can select any available test date through March 26, 2004. Applicants must select a test date that falls in the twelve-month period following their registration date.
These dates are subject to change. Monitor the Step 2 CS information on this website for updated information.
Clinical Skills Requirement for USMLE Step 3
Passing USMLE Step 2 CS will become an additional requirement to apply for USMLE Step 3. Currently, IMGs who apply for Step 3 must, among other requirements:
- Have passed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2, and
- Either be certified by ECFMG or have successfully completed a Fifth Pathway program.
Effective July 1, 2005, IMGs registered for Step 3 must also have passed either Step 2 CS or the ECFMG CSA. Prior to July 1, 2005, IMGs can register for Step 3 regardless of whether they have passed Step 2 CS or the ECFMG CSA. This policy applies to IMGs who are certified by ECFMG and those who complete a Fifth Pathway program.
Reapplication & Reexamination for Step 2 CS
As is the case for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (Step 2 CK), for the purpose of ECFMG Certification, there is no limit on the number of times you can take Step 2 CS until you have passed it.* Once you pass Step 2 CS, you may not repeat it. Additionally, if you have passed the ECFMG CSA, you may not take Step 2 CS.
*NOTE: This policy applies only to ECFMG Certification. The USMLE program has made specific recommendations to state medical licensing authorities regarding the number of attempts allowed to pass each Step. Refer to the USMLE Bulletin of Information and to the medical licensing authority of the jurisdiction where you plan to apply for licensure, or to the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), since licensure requirements vary among jurisdictions.
Retaking a Previously Passed Examination
Retaking a previously passed USMLE exam is allowed under certain, well-defined circumstances. These exceptions to the USMLE policy on reexamination are explained in the USMLE Bulletin of Information. The same exceptions to the USMLE policy on reexamination that apply to the current USMLE exams will also apply to Step 2 CS and the ECFMG CSA. Applicants who retake a previously passed Step 2 exam will be required to take both Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS.
Retaking an Examination That Was Failed or Incomplete
As with the other USMLE Step components, if you fail or do not complete Step 2 CS, you may retake it. However, you may not retake Step 2 CS within sixty days of your last attempt on Step 2 CS. Additionally, you can take Step 2 CS no more than three times in any twelve month period. Attempts on the ECFMG CSA will be counted as attempts on Step 2 CS for the purpose of these retake policies.