What Do You Have To Do To Gather Your Medical License In America?

ByPeter Dong

Getting your medical license in the United States is not an easy task. You have to go through rigorous medical education and several exams, one of the most important being the USMLE. Short for United States Medical Licensing Examination, this board exam is the last stage. It mainly judges if a candidate is eligible enough to apply for a medical license.  This board exam is conducted under the direct supervision of the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners.

How Many Steps Are Included In It?

This exam mainly has three stages you need to clear, the USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. Step 2 is considered a bit harder than the rest, containing questions about your CS (clinical skills) and USMLE Step 2 CK  (clinical knowledge).

While the first and second exams are taken while the student is still studying in the medical college, the third test is usually after graduation. Only after a student has spent 2 years in a medical school and has a basic knowledge of pathology, biochemistry, genetics, nutrition, microbiology, and anatomy are they allowed to sit for the Step 1 test. This test has multiple questions.

What Does The Step 2 Test Entail?

Only after clearing the first step, the student moves on to the second step of the exam, which can typically be categorized into two parts. This is a two-day exam, testing both the Clinical Skills and clinical knowledge of a student. Both of these are further mentioned in detail below:

USMLE Clinical knowledge (CK): 

Much like the Step 1 test, this too contains only multiple-choice questions on topics learned in the last year of Med School. Only students who have passed or enrolled for their degree from a medical college recognized by the world directory of medical schools can avail of this exam.

USMLE Clinical Skills (CS): 

USMLE Step 2 CK is more of a practical exam, testing your performance skills. It evaluates how you consult with a patient, your communication and physical exam skills. Students are called to one of the five test centers in Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, or Philadelphia.

After the pandemic and threatening state of the world, students worldwide have shown a keen interest in medical education, especially in the US. Studying well for these exams can make your journey significantly easier.