Issue Thirty-Four - November 7, 2003
Updated information on USMLE™ Step 2 CS registration and scheduling is available on this website. Refer to the USMLE™ Step 2 CS Update for ECFMG® Registrants
ECFMG Fact Sheet on USMLE™ Step 2 CS Registration & Scheduling for International Medical Students and Graduates
This fact sheet contains preliminary information on policies and procedures for USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS) registration and scheduling for international medical students and graduates (IMGs). Updated information on Step 2 CS registration and scheduling, and other topics related to the transition from the ECFMG CSA to USMLE Step 2 CS, will be posted to the Step 2 CS information page on this website as it becomes available. IMGs interested in ECFMG Certification should monitor this web page closely for up-to-date information.
Timing
- Administration of Step 2 CS is scheduled to begin in June 2004.
- Registration for Step 2 CS is expected to begin in early January 2004.
- Scheduling for registered Step 2 CS applicants is also expected to be available in early January 2004.
Registering for Step 2 CS
- As is the case for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (Step 2 CK), international medical students and graduates will apply through ECFMG to take Step 2 CS. Students and graduates of U.S. and Canadian medical schools will apply through the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®).
- Applicants will be able to apply on-line using ECFMG's Interactive Web Application (IWA) or by submitting a paper application. Paper application materials will be available for downloading from the ECFMG website.
- The exam fee will be $1,200.
- Once the registration process is complete, ECFMG will send a scheduling permit via e-mail. Applicants who are unable to receive the scheduling permit by e-mail can request that the scheduling permit be sent by postal mail. All registered applicants will be sent a CD by postal mail that contains orientation materials (including a video of sample encounters).
- Eligibility periods will be for twelve months, beginning on the date that the applicant's registration information is entered into the scheduling system. Typically, this is the same date that the registration process is completed. Applicants who are registered before the exam starts in June 2004 will be assigned an eligibility period that begins on the first day the exam is available.
- The scheduling permit will: specify the twelve-month eligibility period during which the applicant must take the exam, provide scheduling instructions, and specify the identification requirements for admission to the exam.
- The twelve-month eligibility period cannot be extended. However, applicants will be able to reschedule their testing appointments within their eligibility periods, as described below.
- Applicants who wish to apply for test accommodations must submit an application for accommodations to ECFMG at the same time that they apply for the exam. A scheduling permit will be issued after a decision regarding the accommodations has been made.
Scheduling a Testing Appointment
- Applicant informational materials will provide detailed information on how scheduling for Step 2 CS works. These materials will be available on the ECFMG website.
- Once applicants receive their scheduling permits, they will be able to access the scheduling system via the ECFMG website. Registered applicants will have the ability to view the scheduling calendar at any time without scheduling a testing appointment.
- Applicants who are unable to access the scheduling system on-line will be able to telephone a representative, who will access the on-line scheduling system for them.
- The scheduling system will show available test dates at the five test centers throughout the applicant's eligibility period.
- The first test dates available for each test center will be based on the center's anticipated opening date.
- Registered applicants will select a test date and center.
- AM/PM sessions on a given test date will be assigned.
- Applicants will be informed whether they will be assigned to an AM or PM session before they commit to a test date.
- PM sessions will only be assigned if AM sessions for a particular date and center have been filled and if PM sessions for the test date/center have been opened.
- At the end of the scheduling process, applicants will print a confirmation notice from the scheduling system. The confirmation notice will include the test date, session time (AM/PM), location, and other information.
- Applicants who have been granted test accommodations must schedule by phone due to special scheduling needs.
- Sessions will be opened in ways that maximize operational efficiency at all centers.
- Additional sessions will be opened based on demand.
- Some registered applicants will not be able to obtain a testing appointment at their first choice of test center and date.
- It is possible that sessions will be opened at an applicant's center of choice after he/she has scheduled at a different center.
- It is important to register and schedule early in order to maximize chances of getting a testing appointment at the first choice of center on the preferred date.
Rescheduling a Testing Appointment
- Registered applicants may reschedule a testing appointment an unlimited number of times.
- Any change to a scheduled appointment (date or location) will constitute rescheduling.
- Scheduled applicants will be able to view available test dates before canceling their scheduled appointments.
- No rescheduling will be allowed during a moratorium period that begins at midnight on the test date and ends when confirmation is received from the test center that the applicant did not test (typically within 1-2 days).
- A fee will be charged to reschedule. The rescheduling fee may be paid on-line using a credit card or e-check.
- Up to 30 days before the scheduled test date, the rescheduling fee will be $50. Within 30 days of the scheduled test date, the rescheduling fee will be $150. From the conclusion of the moratorium through the end of the eligibility period, the rescheduling fee will be $400.