USMLE Eligibility Criteria 2025 - For Steps 1, 2 and 3 Exams

USMLE Exam Eligibility 2025: Candidates interested in appearing for the USMLE exam can know USMLE eligibility 2025. The USMLE exam comprises of 3 steps Step 1, Step 2, Step 3. Each step of the USMLE exam has varying USMLE exam eligibility. Candidates need to check USMLE eligibility before applying.

The USMLE exam is the entrance exam for international medical students and graduates who wish to practice medicine in the USA. The full form of USMLE is the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The USMLE test is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners. Read the article to know details on USMLE eligibility.

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This Story also Contains

1. USMLE Exam Eligibility 2025
2. USMLE Exam Eligibility for Indian Students 2025
3. ECFMG Eligibility Criteria 2025
4. How to Check ECFMG Eligibility?
5. Eligibility for USMLE Retakes
6. USMLE Exam: Change in Eligibility Status
7. USMLE Exam Eligibility: Number of Attempts and Time Limits
8. USMLE Registration 2025
9. Why take the USMLE?

USMLE Exam Eligibility 2025

USMLE eligibility for Indian students differs as per the step involved. However, it's interesting to note that the USMLE eligibility for the Step 1 and Step 2 components of the USMLE 2025 are nearly the same. The applicant may appear in Step 1, Step 2 CK in any order as long as they meet USMLE exam eligibility requirements. The USMLE qualification for Step 3 is different, and a candidate can only take the step if they have passed the Step 1 and Step 2 components.

Age limit for USMLE - There is no specific age limit for USMLE. The USMLE exam conducting authority did not mention any age criteria for the USMLE. Candidates who meet the USMLE qualification are free to attend the exam at any age of their life. So, there is no USMLE exam eligibility age limit for aspirants. One must note that USMLE requirements for international students are the same as the general requirements stated by the organisation.

USMLE Exam Eligibility for Indian Students 2025

The eligibility criteria for students in the USA and Canada and other international students across the world are different. Here, the USMLE exam eligibility for Indian students is the same as for international students other than those in the USA and Canada.

USMLE Step 1 & Step 2 Eligibility

The details of eligibility for USMLE Step 1 are listed below. Candidates can meet any of the categories of Step 1 USMLE exam eligibility.

• A candidate who is officially enrolled or graduated from a US or Canadian medical school program that leads to an MD degree, accredited by LMCE. (or)

• A medical student who is enrolled or graduated in a USA medical school program that is leading to a DO degree accredited by COCA. (or)

• A candidate who is officially enrolled or graduated from a medical school outside the USA or Canada. Their medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools meeting the ECFMG eligibility requirements and criteria.

ECFMG Eligibility Criteria 2025

Meeting these eligibility is one of the important component of USMLE qualification requirements. Candidates from medical schools outside the USA and Canada are required to meet the ECFMG eligibility criteria listed below.

• Enrolled or graduated in the medical schools listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with an ECFMG sponsor note.

• The ECFMG sponsor's note should state that students or graduates of the school or university can apply for ECFMG certification and examination.

How to Check ECFMG Eligibility?

To check ECFMG eligibility, candidates should search their medical school in the list of the “World Directory of Medical Schools”. Follow the below steps to check ECFMG eligibility for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2.

• Visit the World Directory of Medical Schools website at “wdoms.org”

• Click on the “search” option.

• Enter your college name and city in the search box

• If college appears, click on the sponsor note.

• Check whether the sponsor note is stating the ECFMG eligibility or not.

Indian students whose colleges are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools holding an ECFMG sponsor note meet the ECFMG criteria of USMLE eligibility criteria. It is important to be registered at ECFMG as per USMLE requirements for international students.

Other details in the USMLE eligibility for Steps 1 & 2

• Candidates should meet USMLE eligibility for Indian students of Step 1 and Step 2 at the time of USMLE application and examination.

• Candidates who are dismissed or withdrawn from the medical will not be eligible for USMLE eligibility criteria step 1 and step 2. Stated as per USMLE eligibility criteria step 2, students are required to pass the USMLE step 1 to appear for step 2. Candidate needs to inform the organisation that registered them for the examination. Failure to notify the authority will lead to permanent annotation on the USMLE scores and reports.

USMLE Step 3 Eligibility

The USMLE eligibility criteria step 3 are stated by the organisation. Students must be completely aware about it before appearing for the exam. Here is the USMLE exam eligibility for the Step 3. Candidates need to qualify for all the conditions to attempt the USMLE Step 3.

• Pass the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK.

• Completed an MD or Do degree from the LCME or COCA-accredited USA and Canada medical colleges. (or) Completed an equivalent MD degree from the colleges outside USA or Canada that are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools meeting the ECFMG eligibility requirements. It is one of the most crucial USMLE eligibility criteria step 3.

• ECFMG certification.

Other details in the USMLE eligibility for Step 3

• Candidates should meet USMLE eligibility for Step 3 at the time of USMLE application and examination.

• Candidates who are dismissed or withdrawn from the medical will not be eligible. The candidate needs to inform the organisation that registered them for the examination. Failure to notify the authority will lead to permanent annotation on the scores and reports.

Eligibility for USMLE Retakes

Each step of the USMLE can be attempted 3 times in 12 months. The fourth attempt must be given at least a 12-month gap after the 1st attempt and a 6-month gap before the most recent attempt.

Students who pass a Step are not allowed for a retake unless if they have to comply with the time limit imposed by the US Physician Licensing authority or another authority that is recognised by the USMLE program.

Sequence of USMLE Examination

1. The Step 1, Step 2 CK can be taken in sequence. The only necessary thing is that the candidate has to meet eligibility for USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 to attempt it.

2. Step 3 is allowed only after completion of Step 1, Step 2 CK. It is the final examination in the USMLE.

USMLE Exam: Change in Eligibility Status

Students must promptly notify usmle.org before the scheduled USMLE test date given that there is a change in their eligibility status after the submission of the application. If students do not notify and take the USMLE exam for which they are not eligible, their scores will be cancelled and not reported to the concerned medical school. Hence, updating the organisation about the change in eligibility status for the United States Medical Licensing Examination after one has applied ensures the correct processing of the examination. Hence, one must appear for an exam after complying with the USMLE eligibility for Indian students. The USMLE eligibility extension is possible only after updating the organisation.

USMLE Exam Eligibility: Number of Attempts and Time Limits

USMLE organisation has laid out certain eligibility to appear for the exam, especially for the number of attempts and time limits for each step 1, 2, and 3. One can attempt each step of USMLE up to 4 times. In a given situation where students have attempted the USMLE exam four or more times and have not passed, they will be ineligible to apply again for the exam. USMLE Step 1 and step 2, students ae eligible for USMLE for up to 3 times within 12 months. If one fails within this timeframe, they will be required to wait for at least 12 months after the first attempt; also, at least 6 months from the last & recent attempt.

USMLE Registration 2025

Individuals after checking the USMLE exam eligibility for Indian students can start registering for the USMLE. However, the registration entity varies for both students in US and Canada medical schools and other international medical schools.

USMLE Registration Entities

USMLE Registration Fees

Why take the USMLE?

The USMLE is a qualification test to obtain an initial license to practise medicine in the USA and its territories. Candidates who are interested in practising medicine in the USA can apply for the USMLE examination. It is a three-step examination, consisting of Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. This exam is valid or considered only in the USA but not in other countries like Australia, Europe, etc. Indian medical students or graduates who would like to practice medicine in the USA can attempt the USMLE.

Also read:

• USMLE exam dates

• USMLE exam pattern

• USMLE test centres