Official news from ECFMG

[IMG SURVIVOR]

IN THIS ISSUE:

- USMLE ELIMINATION OF THE 60-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO RETAKE A FAILED STEP OR STEP COMPONENT

- ECFMG CHANGE TO ELIGIBILITY PERIOD ASSIGNMENT FOR USMLE STEP 1 AND STEP 2 CK

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USMLE ELIMINATION OF THE 60-DAY WAITING PERIOD TO RETAKE A FAILED STEP OR STEP COMPONENT

Current USMLE policy states that if you fail or do not complete a Step or Step Component and wish to retake it, you may do so no sooner than 60 days after your previous test date.

At its recent meeting, the USMLE Composite Committee reviewed this policy and determined that the 60-day waiting period would be discontinued. Therefore, effective May 1, 2007, the 60-day waiting period between attempts at the same USMLE Step or Step Component will be eliminated. Although the waiting period will be eliminated, your result from a prior attempt must be available before you can reapply. You can check whether your result is available online by accessing OASIS.

Other than the 60-day rule change, all other requirements to retake a Step or Step Component remain the same; this includes the restriction that you may take a Step or Step Component no more than three times in any 12-month period. Please refer to the USMLE Bulletin of Information and ECFMG Information Booklet for complete information on retaking USMLE Steps.


ECFMG CHANGE TO ELIGIBILITY PERIOD ASSIGNMENT FOR USMLE STEP 1 AND STEP 2 CK

In conjunction with the elimination of the 60-day waiting period to retake a USMLE Step or Step Component, described above, ECFMG will change the way eligibility periods for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK are assigned. These changes will take effect for applicants who submit an application on or after May 1, 2007.

When you apply for Step 1 or Step 2 CK, you must choose a three-month period, such as January-February-March, February-March-April, etc., during which you would like to take the exam. This three-month period is referred to as your eligibility period.

Currently, ECFMG must receive your complete application at least one month in advance of the eligibility period you select. If your application is not received by this deadline, you are assigned the next eligibility period.

Effective May 1, 2007, your application does not need to be received in advance of an eligibility period to obtain that eligibility period. To select and obtain an eligibility period:

- ECFMG must receive your complete application by the 24th day of that eligibility period, AND

- your application must be processed by ECFMG by the 25th day of that eligibility period.

EXAMPLE: On May 10, an applicant submits a Step 1 application, selecting the May-June-July eligibility period. Her application is complete and is processed by ECFMG on May 23. She is assigned the May-June-July eligibility period that she selected on her application.

Although processing times vary, it typically takes three weeks from receipt of a complete application for ECFMG to process the application. This means that, although you can select an eligibility period as late as the 24th day of that eligibility period, there is no guarantee that you will be assigned that eligibility period, since your application may not be processed by the 25th day of the eligibility period. If your application is not processed in time to assign the eligibility period you select, you will be assigned to the next eligibility period.

EXAMPLE: On July 23, an applicant selects the July-August-September eligibility period for Step 2 CK and submits his exam application. The application is processed by ECFMG on August 8. The applicant is assigned the next eligibility period, August-September-October.

As shown in both examples, when this change takes effect, you will be able to obtain an eligibility period that has already begun, or that will have begun by the time you are registered and your scheduling permit is issued. Your assigned eligibility period will not be adjusted to compensate for days that have already passed. Consistent with current policy, you will continue to have the option to select any future available eligibility period.

All deadlines are calculated using Eastern Time in the United States.

This policy change does not affect the way eligibility periods for Step 2 CS are assigned. When you are registered for Step 2 CS, you are assigned a 12-month eligibility period that begins on the date that the processing of your application is completed.

For additional information on eligibility periods and registration, refer to the appropriate edition of the ECFMG Information Booklet.