Update:
http://www.usmle.org/step2/Step2CS/Step2CSRPs.htm
May 7, 2004
Dear Residency Program Director:
A test of clinical skills is now part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination? Step 2 (USMLE? Step 2 CS), with t est administration beginning on June 14, 2004 . The purpose of this test is to assure that examinees have the information gathering and communication skills necessary to enter supervised postgraduate education and for subsequent licensure.
We are writing to you to let you know that we cannot guarantee that results of the clinical skills test will be available in time for decision making regarding applicants for residency positions in the 2005 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). As a result, program directors are encouraged not to require reporting of Step 2 CS results as a condition of application for a residency position or for ranking in this year's NRMP. As a condition of participation in the NRMP 2005 Match, international medical graduates (IMGs) will continue to be required to have passed either the Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG?) Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA?) or USMLE Step 2 CS. The NBME? and ECFMG have assigned high priority to providing reports for IMGs participating in the 2005 NRMP who test before January 1, 2005 .
For all candidates, initial release of results will be delayed until an adequate number of examinees completes testing at each of the five testing locations to permit equating of examination data within and across test sites. Because of the uncertainty surrounding test center scheduling and the potential challenges of implementing the test with new systems, a specific reporting date cannot be guaranteed, regardless of the date on which Step 2 CS is taken. While we hope to begin reporting Step 2 CS performance late in the fall, delays may be encountered during the first year. These delays could extend beyond deadlines for the 2005 NRMP Match.
Further information regarding the Step 2 CS examination is provided on the fact sheet below and can be found at the USMLE website. The Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners, the USMLE sponsors, and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates believe this new examination component represents a major enhancement to the US medical licensure system. We would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation as the program is implemented.
James Thompson, MD, President
Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States
Donald E. Melnick, MD, President
National Board of Medical Examiners
James A. Hallock, MD, President
Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates
