USMLE Application Procedure (Step1, 2 & 3)
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a screening test for international medical graduates who want to practise medicine in the United States of America.
The examination offers medical licensure in the US and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) – two important regulatory bodies in the USA. These examination boards (FSMB and NBME) are a not-for-profit organization representing the 70 state medical and osteopathic boards of the United States and its territories.
However, each state in the USA has its own medical licensing authority which sets rules and regulations as well as requires passing an examination for licensure for the state. Theses state medical and osteopathic boards use the common evaluation system conducted by the USMLE for applicants for initial medical licensure.
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USMLE Application Procedure
The USMLE is a three-step programme. The three steps of USMLE are Step1, Step 2- Clinical knowledge (CK) and Clinical Science (CS) and Step 3. The initial steps, Steps 1 and 2, are taken when the student is in medical school and step 3 is taken after graduation.
USMLE Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for all the three steps of USMLE are different. The table below lists the major eligibility requirements of USMLE for Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3:
USMLE Steps | Eligibility |
Step 1 | a) Should be enrolled in or graduate of a medical school outside of the US and Canada, which is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools b) Meets ECFMG certification eligibility criteria c) Must meet eligibility requirements at time of application |
Step 2 – CK and CS | a) Should be enrolled in or graduate of a medical school outside of the US and Canada, which is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools b) Meets ECFMG certification eligibility criteria c) Must meet eligibility requirements at time of application |
Step 3 | a) Clear Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS b) Possess a degree equivalent to US and Canadian MD degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools c) Candidates who hold valid Fifth Pathway certificates issued through December 31, 2009 are eligible to meet Step 3 eligibility requirements for applications d) Candidates who do hold Fifth Pathway certificates that are not accepted by the USMLE 2017 Program have to obtain ECFMG certification |
Applicants should know whether their medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, go to the World Directory’s website and click on search. There are dropdowns for countries, medical school name, city and whether they are operational or not. Candidates can select their country to get the entire list of institutes from their country or directly type in the medical college’s name to know if it is listed or not.
USMLE Registration Fees in Ghana
For Application for ECFMG Certification, ECFMG charges $75.
- For USMLE Step 1, the USMLE Program charges $1045 ($895 Examination Fee and $150 International Test Delivery Surcharge for Africa).
- For USMLE Step 2 CK, the USMLE Program charges $1065 ($895 Examination Fee and $170 International Test Delivery Surcharge for Africa).
- For USMLE Step 2 CS, the USMLE Program charges $1,550.
- For USMLE Step 3, the USMLE Program charges $845.
USMLE Payments in Ghana can be made in Ghana Cedi at the exchange rate at the time of registering.
Where to Register for USMLE in Ghana
Applicants can register for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) in the address below.
No. 104 Otsaame Baako Lane, Pumpkin Ave.
Near Jerusalem Restaurant.
Achimota Neoplan.
Achimota, Accra
TEL: 0266-733-700
TEL: 0232-886-025
What if one lives in Nigeria ? Do you have to register for the exam in person? Can it be done online or phone ? What are the options ?
You will need to register in person at the Nigeria office or here: https://www.ecfmg.org/
Thank you so much! Do you happen to have the address for the location in Nigeria? If not what should I type into google to find it ?
I have been trying to call (from Nigeria) the numbers above for registration and further inquiries, however it’s not going through.