The USMLE and Prometric have announced the opening of a limited number of regional testing centers for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
Regional Test Center #1–Brown University
This center will only serve students from the following schools:
The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (host school)
Boston University School of Medicine
University of Connecticut School of Medicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Tufts University School of Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Regional Test Center #2--University of South Florida
This center will only serve students from the following schools:
University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine (host school)
University of Florida College of Medicine
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
University of Central Florida College of Medicine
Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Florida State University College of Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine Bradenton Campus
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine
Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
~~~~
Regional Test Center #3--Indiana University
This center will only serve students from the following schools:
Indiana University School of Medicine (host school)
University of Louisville School of Medicine
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
Carle Illinois College of Medicine
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign
Ohio State College of Medicine
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
NBME and USMLE announced today that all STEP 2CS exams have been suspended due to Covid-19 concerns. It’s anticipated that testing will resume in 12-18 months. It’s also anticipated that the resumed testing will be the traditional in-person exam instead of the telemedicine platform that had been previously announced.
This is important because:
- many medical schools require a Step 2CS pass on record as a graduation requirement
- passing the Step 2CS is a pre-requisite for registering for Step 3
- a Step 2CS pass is required by every state medical board in order for a medical practitioner to receive a full, unrestricted medical license
- a Step 2CS pass is required for all US IMGs and FMGs who wish to receive ECFMG certification in order to be eligible for participation in the US NRMP Match
<re: #1="" above="">
The NMBE and LCME are working together to find an acceptable alternative for fulfilling graduation requirements </re:>
<re: #2="" above="">
It appears the current plan will require current MS3/4 student to take the Step 2CS ASAP when testing resumes, even if it mean taking the exam after graduation or during intern year. </re:>
It is not yet known whether or how a CS fail during intern year will affect a resident’s status within their residency program.
(US/Canadian MD students have a 96% pass rate on Step 2 CS, US/Canadian DO students have a 96% pass rate. Non-US students have 75% pass rate.)
<re: #3="" above="">
Medical residents work under a training license during residency and are not eligible for a full medical license (which requires having passed Step 2CS & CK, and Step 3) until 6 months before the end of their primary residency. </re:>
<re: #4="" above="">
The ECFMG is scrambling to find acceptable alternatives that IMGs & FMGs can use to prove clinical competency. </re:>