Getting state licensure early- pros and cons?

[Foxxy Cleopatra]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello,

In my state, you are eligible to take Step 3 after completion of 1 year of residency. I have a few months early on and then toward mid-year that may be amenable to fitting in some study time so I was thinking of taking Step 3 and getting the mess over with.

If you have done it, would you recommend doing so? I'm just starting my second year of surgery residency and I will not be doing any moonlighting. However, the temptation is there to just get it done and over with.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Snoopy]

I would get Step 3 over with as soon as possible. I took it at the very beginning of intern year and did just fine. By the way, regardless of where you live, you can take Step 3 at any time that is convenient to you. In order to sit for Step 3 you have to apply to a state board (any state board) to take the exam. You do not have to live there or intend to practice there. All you have to do is meet their criteria for sitting for the exam (requirements can be found on the FSMB website). For example, I live in New York but applied to take the test under Florida criteria. I then physically took the test in Ohio. New York wanted me to finish a year of residency and then pay for a state license at the same time I took the exam which was an investment of about $1300 and a much lengthier process. All Florida wanted was proof of medical school graduation.

As far as getting your license early, about the only benefit I've been told about it is that it prevents future problems should you be named in a suit during residency. It is my understanding that you cannot apply for a license if their is litigation pending against you.

 

[surg]

FC: In many states you can take step 3 without having to get a full license after you pass it (don't recall which ones combine it). Nevertheless, since you are a surgical resident I would definitely recommend taking it ASAP since your knowledge of outpatient hypertension therapy and normal labor and delivery will only decrease with time, and it is stuff like that on Step 3 primarily. I took the old paper and pencil version (dating myself I know) and over 2 days, the number of true surgical questions on the exam was <10 and of those, most either were not state of the art questions or were ridiculously basic (e.g. CXR with free air under the diaphragm, what should you do? uhhhh... operate? abx? nothing?)

Also, some states (I know Texas is one) require that all 3 steps be passed within a certain number of years of each other to obtain a license. We had one chief that moved there for fellowship and had to take Step I and II over because he took step 3 too late! Ouch. I think I'd be lucky to pass step I at this point with some SERIOUS studying.

Good luck!

 

[edfig99]

other than spending money, there are no cons to taking step 3...some programs reimburse for initial licensure and even renewals. some hospitals state in their bylaws that you must have a license to supervise interns or med students. the only drawback is paying renewal fees earlier, but that's something you'll be doin' the rest of your professional life.

and don't woory -- not much studying is necessary -- at least not like step 1. back in the day people would take the test postcall!

get it over with now.

good luck

Hello,

In my state, you are eligible to take Step 3 after completion of 1 year of residency. I have a few months early on and then toward mid-year that may be amenable to fitting in some study time so I was thinking of taking Step 3 and getting the mess over with.

If you have done it, would you recommend doing so? I'm just starting my second year of surgery residency and I will not be doing any moonlighting. However, the temptation is there to just get it done and over with.

Thanks for any input.

 

[njbmd]

Hi there,
If you are in a specialty like General Surgery, take Step III and get it out of the way as soon as you can. It becomes a huge chore after your PGY-1 year because your focus is elsewhere like in the OR.

Also, don't forget about the seven year rule in some states. You have to complete and pass USMLE Step III within seven years of passing USMLE Step I or you start over. 🙁

Take the thing as soon as you can and keep moving forward.

njbmd 😎