The eligibility requirements are slightly different for the Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 2 Clinical Skills portions of the United States Medical Licensing Examination than they are for Step 3.

In order to be eligible to take the first three components of the exam, one must be one of the following: a medical student enrolled in or a graduate of a program in the US or Canada that leads towards an MD degree accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education; a medical student enrolled in or a graduated of a US medical school leading to a DO degree accredited by the American Osteopathic Association; or a medical student enrolled in or a graduate of a foreign medical school who is eligible for certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

In order to sit for the Step 1, Step 2 CS, or Step 2 CK exams, one must be a member of one of these categories both on the date of application and on the testing date. If these eligibility requirements are met, then students may take these three exams in any order. Once a student has passed all three of these exams, then he or she may be eligible to take Step 3 of the USMLE.

In addition, those who wish to take Step 3 must have completed either a MD or DO degree program; met any specific requirements set by the medical licensing authority to which he or she is applying; and, if the student is a foreign medical student, have either obtained ECFMG certification or completed a "Fifth Pathway" program approved by the medical licensing authority to which the student is applying.

USMLE Preparation information provided by Morrison Media LLC.

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