Hi I heard that one can no longer write your USMLE again even after 7 years. Is that true? What do you think are my chnaces with scores of 80 both first attempt in step 1 and 2 done 7 years ago. I am thinking of doing an observership in a hospital . What do you think of my chances after an observership and offcourse me writing the step 3. I am lookng at internal medicine.
residency
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USMLE has 2 parts. Step 1 and 2 and third one is Step 2 CS (used to known as CSA). CSA came to effect in 1999. Have you passed your CSA? Are you ECFMG certified? USMLE step 1, 2, cs are part of USMLE/ECFMG exam and step 3 is part of FASB. I think you need to pass all 4 in 7 - 10 years. Step 3 depends upon state. Have you thought about writing an email to ECFMG? You can send an email with your specific information and they are very good at responding to emails. This way you will know exactly if your USMLEs are valid or not. I don't know if ECFMG would give any advice or suggestions about step 3 exam as it is not their exam.
Are you an Indian? The way you wrote your post it sounds like Indian English.
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Have you tried before? If you haven't it is worth a shot. However, if you are an IMG, with those board scores and a 7 year delay, chances are poor for IM. Unless during those 7 years you've become a star practicing physician in your country. Also, if you trained in UK or Canada, your chances are obviously better.
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I'm pretty sure this all depends on the state you are want to train in. It is the state licensing agency that sets the rules for who it will grant a license (or "training license") and some states require that steps 1-3 be passed in 7 years if that didn't happen, no license, and no license, no residency.
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I think you meant "using" rather than "writing" your USMLE scores.
It varies per state, but generally scores are no good after 5 years. Some of the top programs want scores as recent as within 3 years... and some other ones even less.
I'm going to be blunt. If you're an IMG, 80s on both will not make you competitive. You need 90+ to be competitive. It's the truth.
Hmm...I think for IMGs who trained in a European-style system, "writing" for an exam is the same as "taking" the exam. He wants to know if he can write for Step 3 despite the time that has elapsed since Step 1/2. Not sure about all of the regulations for that but for the most part you're correct. If the prior step scores are now considered invalid, you may have to take them both again.🙁
Also, tarlovcyst is definitely telling the truth. 80 on Step 1 and/or 2 is borderline for an American grad. Top programs are not likely to consider applicants with borderline passing scores, IMG or not. It's even harder for an IMG for any US program. Also, you should closely examine the programs you are trying to apply to (community vs. academic). Many programs will clearly state on their website that 1) they are NOT taking IMGs at all or 2) they will take a few IMGs but that it is extremely competitive for those few slots.
