The United States Medical Licensing Examination: Part One

Abstract

ABSTRACT The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), co-sponsored and co-owned by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), was implemented in 1992–94 as the successor of the NBME certifying examinations (Parts I, II and III) and the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX). It is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. The USMLE assesses a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills important in health and disease and constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Results of the USMLE are reported to medical licensing authorities in the United States for their use in granting the initial license to practice medicine. This article is the first in a series focusing on the USMLE program. The following article provides a broad overview of the USMLE program along with a brief description of the USMLE content, characteristics of test administration, and information on the scoring of the exam. Subsequent articles will focus on development of examination content, quality assurance mechanisms, standard setting and such administrative issues as test accommodations and irregular behavior. The intent of this series is to provide the reader with short, topical articles that collectively provide a better understanding of the nature, role and function of the USMLE in assisting medical licensing authorities in the United States.