7 year limit for USMLE Step 1-3?

[BDavis]

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For some state licensure exams, there is a time limit in which all three Step exams must be taken, which is ~7 years. Although some states waive this requirement for MSTP students (for ex. PA and TX), this is not a universal waiver among all states. I was wondering if any other MSTP students are running into this problem at their program? In general you are in basic sciences for 2 years, take Step I, get a Ph.D. (in 4-6 years), take Step II during your clinical years (1-2), and then take Step III during the intern year. Does anyone know what happens if you move to a state (for residency) where they do not have this waiver for MSTP?

 

[ears]

You take Step I again.

I'm in this boat. It's no big deal. You don't need a big number, you just need to pass and get licensed.

 

[dave613]

You take Step I again.

I'm in this boat. It's no big deal. You don't need a big number, you just need to pass and get licensed.

wow, that sucks. Is ny or nj like this?

 

[SaltySqueegee]

uhhhh... what?

That seems like unnecessary punishment for those pursuing dual degrees.

Thanks for the feedback, Ears. Does anyone else have knowledge or experience about this?

-Thanks,

 

[BDavis]

I was directed to this website by a MSTP friend at another program which gives a state by state rundown on the limits:
http://www.fsmb.org/2004usmle/licensure_requirements_table.htm

It seems like the majority of the states have a 7 year requirement, but there are quite a few that make exceptions for MSTP students, especially in the major academic centers (CA, TX, MD, MA, PA, CO, MI, NC). I am also kind of surprised by the range of how much one pays for licensing ($125 for WI-$817 for MD)

For the person (ears) who is taking Step I again, is your program going to pay for that or are you paying out of pocket?

 

[ears]

I'm applying to programs right now, so I'm not there yet. I'll certainly try to get my program to pay for it if I end up in a state without an exception for MD/PhDs. But as of right now, I'm not counting on getting such an exception, so if I do get one, it's just a bonus.