to retake steps to increase scores or not, this is the question...

[vladimar]

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First time on this or any similar forum😀. 80 and 76 respectively on the steps on first try, several years ago. Applied to internal medicine in US two years in a row with zero offers. Stayed in home country working as family practitioner but now I've returned to US. It is my understanding that step 3 must be completed within seven years of taking and passing step one, if not, a retake of both steps would be necessary. I would not mind the retakes, since I may have the opportunity to increase my scores but I wanted to have some advice from those of you out there that might of have gone thru or heard of a similar situation. Thanks in advance to all.

 

[rox]

This is definitely not an everyday case, wish you the best anyway 🙂

 

[Winged Scapula]

It would depend on whether or not you truly believe that you reason you didn't get a US position was based on your USMLE scores. Some programs aren't interested in applicants who are more than 5 years out of medical school...retaking the USMLE won't change that.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to contact programs where you applied previously and see if they can give you some idea about why they weren't interested - was it the scores, years out of school, visa status, etc.?

 

[preDPM]

Does Arizona accept any online classes in the MD program. I want to take some online classes for my MD degree in 2nd yr and wondering if Arizona medical board would have any issues in terms of granting MD license after my residency??

Sorry, off topic here....just picked a random post!!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

You can only retake the steps if, when you apply for a license, a licensing body requires it. I believe that all licensing bodies require some GME experience to get a license (although I could be wrong about that). Thus, I don't think you'll have the choice to retake your steps prior to getting into a residency.

Agree with WS above -- it may not be your scores that's the problem.

PreDPM -- really bad idea. These rules change all the time. Do not take any online courses.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Does Arizona accept any online classes in the MD program. I want to take some online classes for my MD degree in 2nd yr and wondering if Arizona medical board would have any issues in terms of granting MD license after my residency??

Sorry, off topic here....just picked a random post!!

Since it is obvious you are considering attending Oceania University in Samoa (rather than being a simple pre-pod student as you claim), please do yourself a favor and follow aProgDirector's advice.

No states that I am aware of allow on-line or distance learning to award a medical license currently. Consider yourself ineligible to practice in the United States if you choose this route.

 

[Winged Scapula]

You can only retake the steps if, when you apply for a license, a licensing body requires it. I believe that all licensing bodies require some GME experience to get a license (although I could be wrong about that). Thus, I don't think you'll have the choice to retake your steps prior to getting into a residency.

Agree with WS above -- it may not be your scores that's the problem.

PreDPM -- really bad idea. These rules change all the time. Do not take any online courses.

Thought it was required if it was more than 7 years between Steps 1 and 3 (10 years if MD/PhD)? I see some states are shortening this to 5 years or by end of residency.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Here's the quote from the USMLE:

If you pass a Step or Step Component, you are not allowed to retake it, except to comply with the time limit of a medical licensing authority for the completion of all Steps or a requirement imposed by another authority recognized by the USMLE program for this purpose. The medical licensing or other authority must provide information indicating that you are applying to retake the passed Step or Step Component in order to comply with its requirement. If you are repeating a Step or Step Component because of a time limit, you may apply to retake the examination only after the applicable time limit has expired.

Hence, you can't just say "I'm thinking of getting a license in Mass, so I need to take the Steps again", but you actually have to apply for the license and have the State Board write a letter to the USMLE. I'm assuming that if you're ineligible for a license in any state due to the lack of a PGY-1 year, they won't write the letter. I could be wrong about that, though.

 

[oldpro]

You are not allowed to retake it once passed

As far as ONLINE Basic Science it is career suicide....... go to a legit school since online MD schools are considered diploma mills.............