USMLE exams - Useful outside US?

[Leus]

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This may sound like a strange question, but here it goes.

I live in Argentina, and a friend of mine is thinking of taking Step 1. He has no intention of doing his residency in the US. He wants to take the exam to build up his curriculum.

Is Step 1 (or 2 or 3 for that matter) taken into account for jobs in Europe or Latin America (or any place outside the US or Canada)?

In other words, is Step 1 useful for anything else other than getting into the American residency program?

 

[RussianJoo]

If you don't plan to practice in the US then USMLE is a useless exam for you to take and your friend is just wasting the $800US. Just like the MCAT is only needed to get into US med schools, USMLE is only needed to become licensed in the US. I am sure other countries will have similar exams that must be taken in order to get licensed so your friend should take those. Taking an exam that has no relevance for your country is pointless. You don't see people who want to get licensed in the US taking the Canadian boards or taking the UK board exams... Tell your friend to get his money back if he can.

 

[delhidoc]

Though I second what russianjoo says, there actually is one place outside US which considers Step 1 and 2 Ck (both)....New Zealand

If u hv cleared Step 1 and 2Ck, you are exempt from part 1 of NZ licensing exam, and can give clinical exam directly.
From their website -
http://www.mcnz.org.nz/Registration/NZREXClinicalExamination/NZREXClinicalFrequentlyAskedQuestions/FAQAnswersApplyingtositNZREXClinical/tabid/254/Default.aspx

Am I eligible to sit NZREX Clinical?
Before you apply to sit NZREX Clinical you must:

• Hold a primary medical degree listed in the WHO or FAIMER directories
• Pass, or be exempt from IELTS
• Pass USMLE Steps 1 and 2 (CK) or AMC MCQ or PLAB Part 1

Still no point taking 2 steps just to avoid giving 1 exam for New Zealand!!

 

[ROBINHO]

Irrelevant in Argentina.
But u shd see it from this point of view. U are a residency interviewer and u have two exceptional candidates. And u are always looking for something to separate the candidates. U have one of the dandidates who passed with flying colours and is certified and eligible to do residency in USA but chooses your Institution.it could skew things to his/ her direction.In Latin America even the TOEFL or proof that u speak multiple languages can be the deciding factor on the Interview Trail.
That is to say the USMLE is irrelevant for being shortlisted but it could give an advantage in terms of curriculum...strange world right.And I think your friend is being economical with the truth. Probably using the USMLE as a backup for the Future. U never know.

 

[ertugrul]

Irrelevant in Argentina.
But u shd see it from this point of view. U are a residency interviewer and u have two exceptional candidates. And u are always looking for something to separate the candidates. U have one of the dandidates who passed with flying colours and is certified and eligible to do residency in USA but chooses your Institution.it could skew things to his/ her direction.In Latin America even the TOEFL or proof that u speak multiple languages can be the deciding factor on the Interview Trail.
That is to say the USMLE is irrelevant for being shortlisted but it could give an advantage in terms of curriculum...strange world right.And I think your friend is being economical with the truth. Probably using the USMLE as a backup for the Future. U never know.

Well, then, interviewer may also think that candidate with a ECFMG licence could left his program and apply to a residency program in USA, say, next year 😎