What is the deadline in your residency for completing Step 3?

[ExcaliburPrime1]

I just saw that I passed it, which was a nice surprise. I did so poorly (especially on day 2) in my mind (marking half the questions) that I seriously considered that I might not pass, so it was nice when I did a little above average.

Anyway, I was surprised that none of my other intern colleagues have taken it yet (I thought I was doing it late!) and I was wondering when your programs wanted you to have Step 3 done by. Apparently it's by the end of second year for us. I'm glad to have it done with personally, but I could see how doing it as a PGY-2 would be okay.

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[MacDonaldTriad]

If and when you need to license varies from State to State, but most policies are driven by these deadlines. Programs almost always make you take step III at least half a year before it is needed to license. That way if you fail, you have enough time to give it a second shot. We make interns take (not pass, take) step III before the end of their first year.

 

[heysexylady]

I just saw that I passed it, which was a nice surprise. I did so poorly (especially on day 2) in my mind (marking half the questions) that I seriously considered that I might not pass, so it was nice when I did a little above average.

Anyway, I was surprised that none of my other intern colleagues have taken it yet (I thought I was doing it late!) and I was wondering when your programs wanted you to have Step 3 done by. Apparently it's by the end of second year for us. I'm glad to have it done with personally, but I could see how doing it as a PGY-2 would be okay.

You need to have signed up for the exam November of year pgy2 year and have a passing score by December 31st of your pgy2 year if not the next day they will send you a letter of non-contract renewal. I have seen this happen and the GME in my hospital is serious this.

I agree with you about the 2nd day with the CS was rough but the first day was a breeze except for all those statistic crap. After the first day, I thought it was a cakewalk but I think I killed a patient and was a wreck until I got a passing score 4 weeks later.

 

[NickNaylor]

I think our program expects that we pass by the end of PGY-2. Not really sure why as the only rotations which "require" a license are electives.

 

[funklab]

My program makes you take it before you graduate... I think. You definitely don't have to take it before your fourth year, and for some reason a lot of my upper levels haven't taken it yet. The program doesn't really seem to care at all.

 

[TexasPhysician]

My program was end of PGY-2 or you are on suspension until passed. I remember interviewing at programs that were heavy on the work load that advised to take it pay-4 or after graduation.

 

[FlowRate]

We're supposed to have passed by end of PGY-2. For some reason I thought we were end of PGY-1, but was mistaken. I think it's for more pragmatic reasons than anything, because I don't think we ever have to get a full license while a resident. (The only reason to get one is to moonlight.) Some medicine programs here don't take it until PGY-3.

 

[DisorderedDoc417]

Our program doesn't have a hard requirement, but strongly encourages taking and passing by the end of PGY-2. I hear it isn't fun studying USMLE style OB-GYN and PEDs after having a few years off. I want to moonlight as early as possible, so I'm hoping to fit it into late PGY1 to early-mid PGY-2.

 

[Monocles]

Our program doesn't have a deadline except prior to graduation. However we are highly encouraged to take it after medicine during pgy-1 year, since generally psych residents lose more medicine knowledge as the years progress...