I’ve paid close to $10k in exam and licensing fees

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How did things end up this way. Every single step is another couple of thousand dollars. Like wtf soon they will take the shirt off my back

 

[Epilepsy365]

How did things end up this way. Every single step is another couple of thousand dollars. Like wtf soon they will take the shirt off my back

what are the costs out of pocket after Step 3?

Curious to know how many more lbs of flesh does the med police wants from me?

 

[yeet]

this is the cringe I feel when I realize I'll have to keep paying these fees in the future. And the super cringe I feel when ppl say "double or triple board certified" = double or triple amounts of $ out of my bank account

 

[Dantrolene FC]

Unlike monopolistic utility companies, there is no independent oversight committee for medical boards, so they could start charging $1 million dollars tomorrow if they felt like it.

Prior to the early 90s, you had the option to either take the NBME or FSMB exams. Now, those two companies merged and NBME writes Step 1 and Step 2 CK. FSMB writes Step 3. And they both co-write Step 2 CS.

So basically, there used to be competition and they couldn’t jack the prices up because you’d just take the other company’s test. But now they’re a monopoly and you’re just screwed.

They could even make a Step 4 for giggles if they wanted and you’d have to submit to the USMLE gods and take that test.

 

[washboardEarth]

They could even make a Step 4 for giggles if they wanted and you’d have to submit to the USMLE gods and take that test.

They did. It's called Step 2 CS. They invented it in the mid-2000s as a cash grab (Used to be only for FMGs) and realized they couldn't call it Step 4 because state licensing boards only mentioned completion of step 3. So they called it Step 2 CS and made it a prerequisite for Step 3

 

[slowthai]

They did. It's called Step 2 CS. They invented it in the mid-2000s as a cash grab (Used to be only for FMGs) and realized they couldn't call it Step 4 because state licensing boards only mentioned completion of step 3. So they called it Step 2 CS and made it a prerequisite for Step 3

This just pissed me off to another level

 

[Dantes]

I can't wait for Step 1 CS to come out soon. Gotta make sure you hone those clinical skills and max out those student loans early.

 

[bananafish94]

Who's watching the watchmen? There's no quicker way to find out if someone is in the pocket of big admin than listening to their opinions on Step 2 CS.

 

[Ganon]

If what is going on right now doesn’t open eyes to the corruption, I don’t think USMLE pricing will

 

[jurassicpark]

Wait until you start doing residency interviews! Gas, flight, hotel, taxi, meals, and the actual applications themselves!

 

[takeurmeds02]

Wait until you start doing residency interviews! Gas, flight, hotel, taxi, meals, and the actual applications themselves!

Yea I spent just under 4k (including app/match fee) for the season and couched surfed for the majority of interviews and got discounted hotels for the others. This doesn't even include the money I spent on away rotations which are required for EM

 

[Splenda88]

You are asking a surgery resident to take step 3 and 2 weeks after taking it, they consult medicine for a blood pressure of 170/100. Lol

Step2 CS and Step 3 should be eliminated...

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

It's irritating sure, but in the grand scheme... Meh.

State license $150 every other year, state controlled substance the same. DEA $600 every I think 3 years. MOC $200/year. Board recertification exam every 10 years $1000.

So if we average all of that out it's about 1k/year. I don't love it, but it's basically the price we pay to be in a very protected job market.

 

[Splenda88]

what are the costs out of pocket after Step 3?

Curious to know how many more lbs of flesh does the med police wants from me?

They want your whole body man...

 

[Splenda88]

It's irritating sure, but in the grand scheme... Meh.

State license $150 every other year, state controlled substance the same. DEA $600 every I think 3 years. MOC $200/year. Board recertification exam every 10 years $1000.

So if we average all of that out it's about 1k/year. I don't love it, but it's basically the price we pay to be in a very protected job market.

Which state? I think the initial license costs a lot more than $150... I am already looking at a couple of states and even I might get fee reduction as a trainee, it will cost me $700-1,000. Why are these things so expensive?

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Which state? I think the initial license costs a lot more than $150... I am already looking at a couple of states and even I might get fee reduction as a trainee, it will cost me $700-1,000. Why are these things so expensive?

Initial licensure does cost more but that's partially due to having to do background checks, references, that sort of thing.

I practice in SC and initial licensure is $580.

 

[Mass Effect]

How did things end up this way. Every single step is another couple of thousand dollars. Like wtf soon they will take the shirt off my back

And your first-born. Such a huge scam.

 

[Mass Effect]

It's irritating sure, but in the grand scheme... Meh.

State license $150 every other year, state controlled substance the same. DEA $600 every I think 3 years. MOC $200/year. Board recertification exam every 10 years $1000.

So if we average all of that out it's about 1k/year. I don't love it, but it's basically the price we pay to be in a very protected job market.

Wish I was in FM and lived where you live. Not like that here. My state license is $700. Board exam (just got certified so no MOC yet) was $2500.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Wish I was in FM and lived where you live. Not like that here. My state license is $700. Board exam (just got certified so no MOC yet) was $2500.

We're hiring psychiatrists, big ass CME allowance

 

[Mass Effect]

We're hiring psychiatrists, big ass CME allowance

I'm going to kick myself for even entertaining such a thought, but out of curiosity, which state?

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

I'm going to kick myself for even entertaining such a thought, but out of curiosity, which state?

SC

 

[Mass Effect]

SC

Nice.

 

[throwaway1000000]

It's irritating sure, but in the grand scheme... Meh.

State license $150 every other year, state controlled substance the same. DEA $600 every I think 3 years. MOC $200/year. Board recertification exam every 10 years $1000.

So if we average all of that out it's about 1k/year. I don't love it, but it's basically the price we pay to be in a very protected job market.

This is true... Everyone already wants to be a physician without going to med school. Without this sort of regulation, it would probably be worse. Although the cost seems excessive.

 

[ACSurgeon]

It sucks as a student and to a lesser extent as a resident. Once you’re an attending your employer will pay. If self-employed it’ll be a business expense.

the financial aspects of medicine are still worthwhile when all is said and done. This is subject to change.

also, paying for a national licensing exam or for Interview expenses always made a ton more sense than the tuition that is charged for a poor level of education. Specially clinical years.