Most states require you to complete all 3 steps of the USMLE or other qualifying examination within 7 years of taking or passing the first step. Many of those states extend the time limit to 10 years if you hold both an MD and PhD degree.
These are the states with time limit rules greater than 7 years along with their minimum required years of US postgraduate training:
- Arizona – 7 year rule unless already licensed in another state. 1 year for US, 3 years for FMG of PGT required.
- California – 10 year rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Indiana – 10 year rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required (1 if ABMS).
- Kansas – 10 year rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required in US (1 additional year required in foreign country or US for FMG).
- Maryland – 10 year rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Ohio – 10 year rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Oklahoma – 10 year rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Delaware – no rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Florida – no rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Kentucky – no rule, 2 years of PGT required for all.
- Louisiana – no rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- New York – no rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- New Jersey – might accept a waiver, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Pennsylvania – no rule, 2 years of training for US grads and 3 years of training required for FMGs.
- Texas – 10 years if American Board Certified.
- Connecticut – no rule, 1 year for US, 2 years for FMG of PGT required.
- Virginia – 10 year rule unless American Board Certified, 1 year for US and for FMG of PGT required.
