Disclaimer ⚠️

If we want write every steps involved it would take maybe 100+ pages, this is meant to be a summary of what you need to know, if you believe you really want do this, there is nice book below that you can read as PDF format for all steps needed, plus there are communities on the internet such as (https://www.reddit.com/r/step1/) & (https://www.reddit.com/r/Step2/),

The Successful IMG Book

Also This Video summarizes each steps recommended you to watch it!

USMLE Full Tutorial 2024! | Everything you need to know about USMLE and US residency


Introduction

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. It is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). The USMLE assesses a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, that are important in health and disease.

The steps of the USMLE are: Step 1, Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge), Step 2 CS (clinical science- which has been canceled bow due to covid -2024), and Step 3. Each step is taken at different times during your medical training and requires different levels of USMLE prep.

The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is a world leader in promoting quality health care—serving physicians, members of the medical education and regulatory communities, health care consumers, and those researching issues in medical education and health workforce planning. If you are a foreign medical student or graduate and you wish to practice medicine in the USA, you will need to be certified by the ECFMG.

This information is particularly relevant for us, Iraqi students, who aim to practice medicine in the United States. It's important to understand these processes as you embark on your medical journey.


What do you need

The process is generally long, you will at least need the following

  1. ECFMG Account
  2. USMLE steps (1-2-3)
  3. Observations (Usually B1/B2) visa - can be aqcuired in the Erbil USA council
  4. Letter of recommendation (LOT) (given during observations in the USA) usually 3-12 months recomended
  5. Research experience (US Researches not your own country, but having your own countrys research is better than having non)
  6. Language Exam (OET)
  7. Other stuff that would help
    1. Volunteers
    2. Having green card or being american citizen (You will be regarded as Non-Visa requiring which will enhance your matching a lot)
    3. Doing Step 3 (not mandatory but would boost your application more, do it if you have time)