greetings Doctors,

I have a very particular question:

i took step 1 (214) in 2009, step 2 ck/cs (244) in 2012 and graduated in 2013. i applied in 2015 for med/pscyh, so that year was a waste.

applied the year after, had a few psych/internal/family interviews, but i dont think i ranked appropriately.

i now would like to apply again for 2019 and plan on taking the step 3 before that. my question is, it's been so long between my step 1 so i know that according to FSMB that many states may not allow my step 1 score (its been over 7 years).

Is it even worth it for me at this point to take step 3 and apply? there's only a handful of states that don't have the 7 year requirement.
the only thing that keeps me going and motivates me is my step scores are decent, im an american citizen, and i interview well/have good references.

but i dont want to waste all the time and effort studying for step 3 and applying, only to be let down.

So i ask, is it worth the gamble applying for residency next year??

thank you all kindly,

madhan

Dear Madhan,
I recommend you take steps 1 and 2 over again, since they won't be valid for either residency or licensing due to the time limits. No residency program will accept you if they can't license you, you need to meet requirements to legally practice in their hospital.

I speak from experience because I graduated from medical school 30 years ago, did not go to residency at that time, but had related scientific careers, then decided to go back to residency. Even though the board exams I took 30 years ago were still valid in some states, I redid the steps in order to be a credible candidate for residency programs.

How did it work out? I got plenty of interviews, and landed the program at the top of my rank list. Programs really liked my work/life experience, and they were impressed that I wanted residency badly enough to take the steps all over again! It showed them I was hardworking, dedicated, and determined.

So if really you want it, just suck it up, study for a few months, pay the price, take the tests and be done.
By the way, retaking the steps was a piece of cake compared to the work of residency, so no whining!

Here are the rules for retaking steps 1 and 2, from the USMLE website:

If you are repeating a previously passed Step or Step Component because of a time limit imposed by a medical licensing authority, you may apply to retake the examination only after the applicable time limit has expired. An exception to this policy can be granted if, at the time of application and testing:

you are currently enrolled in an LCME- or AOA accredited medical school program leading to the MD or DO degree;
you have previously passed Step 1 and/or Step 2 but have not passed Step 3;
you are expected to graduate from the medical school program six or more years after the date you first passed Step 1 and/or Step 2; and
you are otherwise eligible to retake the examination.
edited by on 3/15/2018

DR. Faith,
I am more than 10 years since i passed USMLE step1 and step2. I want to retake steps. I called ECFMG they sau just take step3. How to retake steps. Pl advice how you did it. Thank you

I just called them and asked. Try again, try talking to someone else. Here are their own words from the USMLE website FAQ's under "Retakes":

http://www.usmle.org/frequently-asked-questions/
"If you are repeating a previously passed Step or Step Component because of a time limit imposed by a medical licensing authority, you may apply to retake the examination only after the applicable time limit has expired."

Most states have a 7 year time limit, some states have a 10 year time limit, and some states have no time limit. Tell them you are applying in states with a time limit. Here is a list of the states and their rules:
https://www.fsmb.org/step-3/state-specific/