MEDICAL LICENSING EXAMINATION

USMLE Statement on the Fifth Pathway Program and Step 3 Eligibility

March 2008
Currently, for international medical graduates who wish to take USMLE Step 3, the USMLE program accepts either a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate or a valid Fifth Pathway certificate for purposes of meeting Step 3 eligibility requirements. In November 2007, the American Medical Association (AMA) determined that it would withdraw its support of the Fifth Pathway program. Per the AMA, the last Fifth Pathway program class to be supported will be the January 2009 entering class, which will be supported until its completion in December 2009.

The governing committee of the USMLE program and the USMLE parent organizations (the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners) have determined that the USMLE program will cease acceptance of Fifth Pathway certificates for the purpose of meeting Step 3 eligibility requirements. The effective date for this policy change will be reviewed by USMLE governance over the next few months. It is anticipated that, consistent with the action taken by the AMA, USMLE will not accept Fifth Pathway certificates issued after December 31, 2009.

For valid Fifth Pathway certificates issued through December 31, 2009, the USMLE program has not yet determined whether they will be accepted indefinitely for purposes of meeting Step 3 eligibility criteria or whether a cut-off date will be imposed. The USMLE program will work closely with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the AMA in an effort to ensure that policies relating to Fifth Pathway certificates issued through December 31, 2009 are consistent among these organizations.

Individuals holding Fifth Pathway certificates that are not accepted by the USMLE program for purposes of meeting Step 3 eligibility will be required to obtain ECFMG certification in order to be eligible for Step 3.

Information and updates about the Fifth Pathway program and USMLE will be posted to the USMLE website.

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