Basic Requirements for Foreign Medical School Graduates
Since you graduated from a medical school outside of the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada, most state medical boards will require you to complete all 3 steps of the USMLE Exam and either get your ECFMG Certificate or complete a year of 5th Pathway training. You will want to take all 3 steps of the USMLE exam as soon as possible but be sure you study and are ready to take the exams. There are quite a few states that have rules about examination time limits and attempt limits. Generally they allow 3 attempts per step and require you to pass all 3 steps within 7 years of passing the first step; however, examination rules vary from state to state. The ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) is where you need to go to find out about taking your USMLE examinations. You will also be required to complete at least 1 year of accredited postgraduate training here in the US, Puerto Rico or Canada to qualify for a medical license in the state of Wisconsin. 2 years are required for Wyoming, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas (3 total, 2 in US), Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington. 3 years are required for all other states.
There Are a Few Exceptions
North Dakota Does Not Require ECFMG
The North Dakota Board does not require you to have an ECFMG Certificate but they do require you to pass all 3 steps of the USMLE’s within 7 years of passing the first step and to complete 3 years of approved postgraduate training in the US or in Canada. They do not require a US Social Security Number or for you to be a US citizen to qualify.
Oklahoma Accepts Postgraduate Training from The UK and Ireland
The Oklahoma Board will accept your postgraduate training from The United Kingdom and Ireland but they require you to pass all 3 steps of the USMLE’s within 10 years of passing the first step and in no more than 3 attempts per step. They require to you have a valid ECFMG Certificate and a US Social Security Number as well as to be a US Citizen or to be a registered alien with a work visa.
Maine Accepts Postgraduate Training and Examinations from The UK, Ireland and Scotland
The Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine will accept your postgraduate training from the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education, the Canadian Medical Association, or the Royal Colleges of Physicians of England, Ireland, or Scotland. Maine will also accept licensing examination from the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC), British Isles Credentialing, General Medical Council of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. You will still be required to take Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE since a valid ECFMG Certificate is required. Maine does not require you to be a US Citizen or have a work visa; however, they do require you to have a US Social Security Number.
