State-Specific Requirements for Initial Medical Licensure

• 1 year ACGME training for US grads
• 2 years ACGME training for IMG’s

• 4^th attempt at USMLE Step 3 following proof of formal training after the 3^rd attempt
• 10 attempts at all USMLE Steps
• No limit on COMLEX

• 7 years to successfully complete all USMLE Steps
• No limit on COMLEX (if board certified by one of the ABMS approved boards can complete all parts in 10 years)

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• 2 years
• 3 years IMG

• 2 attempts per USMLE Step
• 2 attempts per COMLEX Level

• 7 years to complete USMLE
• 10 years for MD/PhD candidates
• 7 years to complete COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• No limit on USMLE

• 7 years to complete USMLE if initial licensure
• No limit if already licensed

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• 1 year

• Contact the board for information

• Contact the board for information

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG unless currently enrolled in training program through University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

• 3 attempts per USMLE Step
• 3 attempts per COMLEX Level

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 4 attempts at USMLE Step 3

• Passing scores on a written/computerized exam shall be valid for a period of 10 years from the month of the examination

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• 1 year

• No limit on COMLEX

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year

• No limit on USMLE
• No information available on COMLEX

• 7 years from first sitting to complete USMLE or COMLEX
• 10 years for MD/PhD or DO/PhD candidates

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• 2 years

• No limit on USMLE
• No limit on COMLEX

• No limit on USMLE
• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• No more than 6 attempts to pass each step

• 7 years to complete USMLE

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3; After which one additional year of postgraduate training is required.
• No limit on COMLEX

• 7 years to complete USMLE; No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• No limit on USMLE

• No limit on USMLE

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• 1 year in an AOA-approved program

• Contact the board for information

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 3 years of progressive postgraduate medical training

• 3 attempts per USMLE Step
• No limit on COMLEX

• 7 years to complete USMLE
• 9 years to complete USMLE if in MD/PhD program
• No limit on COMLEX

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• 3 years of progressive postgraduate medical training

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

Requires Uniform Application

• 1 year
• 3 years IMG (can be licensed after 2 years if in good standing with Idaho residency training program, and has signed an agreement to complete residency in Idaho)

• Failure to pass USMLE after 2 attempts may lead to Board interview or evaluation
• No limit on COMLEX

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

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• 24 months of training

• 5 attempts at all USMLE Steps combined
• 5 attempts at COMLEX Levels combined

• 7 years to complete USMLE
• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 3 attempts per USMLE Step
• 5 attempts per COMLEX Level

• 10 years to complete USMLE
• 7 years to complete COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 6 attempts at both USMLE Step 1 and 2
• 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3
• 6 attempts at both COMLEX Levels 1 and 2
• 3 attempts at COMLEX Level 3
• 3 years of approved postgraduate training required if outside the attempt limit.

• 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX
• 10 years for MD/PhD or DO/PhD candidates. Note: Board certification by ABMS or AOA is required if the applicant has not met the specified time period.

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• Medical graduates on or after January 1, 2021: 36 months of PGT approved by the AMA, AOA, or equivalent
• Graduates of accredited medical schools before January 1, 2021: 12 months of PGT approved by the AMA, AOA, or equivalent
• Graduates of unaccredited medical schools before January 1, 2021: 36 months of PGT approved by the AMA, AOA, or equivalent

• Step or Level 1-4 attempts
• Step or Level 2 CK-4 attempts
• Step or Level 2 CS-4 attempts
• Step or Level 3-4 attempts

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

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• 2 years

• Step or Level 1-4 attempts
• Step or Level 2 CK-4 attempts
• Step or Level 2 CS-4 attempts
• Step or Level 3-4 attempts

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

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• 2 years

• No limit at USMLE Step 1 or COMLEX Level 1
• 4 attempts each at USMLE Steps 2 and 3 or COMLEX Levels 2 and 3

• 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX

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• US/Canadian medical school graduates who graduated after July 1, 2004 must complete 3 years of ACGME accredited postgraduate training. (Those who graduated before July 1, 2004 are only required to complete 2 years of ACGME accredited PGT.) IMGs 3 years of ACGME accredited.  

• 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3. More than 3 attempts requires a request for a waiver.

• 7 years to complete exam sequence (NBME, USMLE, and FLEX) More than 7 years requires a waiver.

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• 1 year in AOA approved program

• 3 attempts at each Step/Level

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• Unlimited attempts at each USMLE Step or COMLEX Level

• No time limit. There are additional requirements if an applicant fails an exam 3 or more times. (See Health Occupations Article, Section 14-307(g).)

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• Prior to January 2014, 2 years for domestic graduates and 2 years for IMGs.
• After January 2014, 2 years for domestic graduates and 3 years for IMGs.

• 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX (See Board Regulations 243 CMR 2.02 (3)(b).)

• 7 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX. May request a waiver under specific conditions. (See Board Regulations 243 CMR 2.02 (3)(c)(2).)

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• 1 year

• 4 attempts at each USMLE Step

• Must pass all Steps of the USMLE within 7 years from the date of first passing any Step of the exam. Must pass Step 3 within 4 years of the first attempt at Step 3 or must complete 1 year of post-graduate training before making additional attempts at Step 3. 

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• 1 year in AOA approved program

• 6 attempts total for each examination

• Pass all components of the COMLEX-USA within 7 years from the date you first passed any component of the COMLEX-USA.

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• 1 year

• 3 attempts at each USMLE Step, 4 attempts allowed if current license in another State and current certification by specialty board of ABMS, AOABPE, RCPSC, CFPC.
• 3 attempts at each COMLEX Level.

• USMLE or COMLEX Step or Level 3 must be passed within 5 years of Step or Level 2 or before the end of residency training.

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• 1 year
• 1-3 years IMG

• 3 attempts at each Step
• No limit on COMLEX

• 7 years to complete USMLE
• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3
• 3 attempts on COMLEX

• 7 years to complete USMLE (waived for MD/PhD candidates)
• No limit on COMLEX

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• Completion of an approved residency program
• 3 years IMG

• If an applicant fails to pass the first attempt at USMLE Step III, the applicant may be reexamined no more than five additional times.
• No limit on COMLEX

• 7 years to complete USMLE (exceptions possible for MD/PhD candidates)
• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 4 attempts+ at each USMLE Step
• 4 attempts+ at each COMLEX Level

• 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX beginning with date first Step/Level is passed.

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• 3 years. An unlimited license may be granted to currently enrolled residents in a post graduate training program in the U.S. or Canada, that have completed at least 24 months of progressive post graduate training and meet all requirements for an unlimited license in the state of Nevada, including having passed all 3 steps of USMLE within the time period allowed by NAC 630.080 and commit in writing to the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners that they will complete the program and provide satisfactory completion of the program within 60 days after the scheduled completion of the program.

• Must pass all 3 Steps of USMLE in not more than a total of 9 attempts and must pass Step 3 in not more than a total of 3 attempts

• MD must pass all Steps of the exam within 7 years after the date on which the applicant first passes any Step of the exam; PhD must pass all Steps of the exam within 10 years after the date on which the applicant first passes any Step of the exam.

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• 3 years for full license OR 2 years if resident signs commitment to practice in NV

• No limit on COMLEX

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 2 years

• 3 attempts at each USMLE Step or COMLEX Level

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

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• US and IMG graduates who graduated after July 1, 2003 must complete 2 years of postgraduate training and have signed a contract for a 3^rd year in an accredited program. At least 2 of the years must be in the same field. Graduates prior to July 1, 2003: 1 year; 3 years IM

• 5 attempts at USMLE Step 3
• No information available on COMLEX

• 7 years to complete USMLE
• No information available on COMLEX

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• 1 year

• 6 attempts per USMLE Step

• 7 years to complete USMLE
• 10 years for MD/PhD candidates

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• 1 year

• No limit on COMLEX

• Within 7 years of having passed the first level

Accepts FCVS for domestic graduates

IMGs - FCVS Required

• Domestic 1 year
• IMG 3 years 

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

Accepts FCVS

Requires FCVS for physicians with an established FCVS Profile and for IMGs (unless eligible for an Expedited License)

• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 3 attempts per USMLE Step
• 3 attempts per COMLEX Level

• No time limit for passing all 3 steps

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• 1 year
• 30 months IMG of ACGME accredited training

• 3 attempts at each USMLE Step or COMLEX Level

• No limit on USMLE or COMLEX

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• No information available at this time

• No information available at this time

• No information available at this time

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• Cannot have exceeded the maximum number of attempts for any step or level established by the NBME or NBOME, as effective on the date of application for a license. The board may grant a waiver if (1) the applicant holds current specialty board certification; or (2) demonstrates that a step or level was completed within the maximum number of attempts permitted by the NBME or NBOME at the time the step or level was successfully completed, provided that the applicant did not exceed six attempts for the step or level.

• 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX (possible waiver good cause if over 10 years)

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 3 attempts at each USMLE Step (Step 2 = CK & CS)

• 10 years to complete USMLE

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• 1 year

• Contact the board for information

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• 3 attempts at USMLE step 3/COMLEX level 3. 4^th attempt after additional 1 year postgraduate training. Waiver of attempt requirement may be available if ABMS/AOA certified.

• 7 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX

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• 2 years

• No more than 4 attempts at each Step or Step Component

• No time limit

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• 1 year

• No limit on COMLEX

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year

• No limit on USMLE

• USMLE Step 3 shall be passed within 7 years of the date of passing Step 1.

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• 2 years
• 2 years IMG

• 3 attempts at each USMLE Step
• 3 attempts at each COMLEX Level

• No time limit

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• 4 attempts per USMLE Step and COMLEX Level

• 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX

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• Successful completion of residency program

• Allowed 3 attempts, must pass on third, for the USMLE or COMLEX examination

• 7 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX
• 10 years for Dual Program Degree MD-PhD Applicant

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• If an applicant fails any step of the USMLE or FLEX examinations more than four (4) times, then the Board shall require proof of board-certification by an ABMS-recognized specialty board and proof of meeting requirements for Maintenance of Certification prior to application before consideration for licensure.

• All three steps must be taken and passed within ten (10) years of the first successful step, unless you qualify under an exception.

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• 1 year

• 3 attempts

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 3 attempts at each USMLE Step or COMLEX Level. (Exceptions may apply for applicants who held a Texas Physician in Training permit on or before September 1, 2005 or who have been licensed in good standing in another state for 5 years. See TMB website for more information.)

• 7 years+ to complete the USMLE or COMLEX. (Exceptions may apply for applicants who are especially board certified or who completed combined MD/PhD programs, or who exceed the time limit but are willing to accept a limited license to practice exclusively in an MUA or HPSA. See TMB website for more information.)

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• 1 year
• 2 years IMG

• 3 attempts at each USMLE Step or COMLEX Level

• 7 years+ to complete the USMLE or COMLEX
• 10 years for MD/PhD candidates or DO/PhD candidates

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• 2 years
• 3 years IMG

• 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3

• 7 years to complete USMLE

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• 1 year rotating internship or 3 year residency program

• No information available at this time

• No information available at this time

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• 6 months required after 2 attempts for SPEX exam

• Must take SPEX (only given in May and November) and an oral exam. 2 attempts

• 3 years to pass the 2 attempts allowed for re-examination. 1 year limitation to take the oral exam after passing written.

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• 1 year

• 4 attempts on any USMLE step with a 5th attempt considered upon petition or appeal submitted to the Board to be reviewed in accordance with Board policy in Guidance Document 85-9 

• 10 years to complete USMLE; Greater than 10 years if candidate is ABMS certified.

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• 2 years

• 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3

• 7 years+ to complete USMLE

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• 1 year

• 3 attempts on COMLEX

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 1 year
• 3 years IMG

• 6 attempts per USMLE Step or Step component

• 10 years to complete USMLE

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• 1 year

• No limit on COMLEX

• No limit on COMLEX

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• 2 years

• 3 attempts at each USMLE step/COMLEX level

• USMLE Step 3 shall be passed within 10 years of the date of passing Step 1
• N/A on COMLEX

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• 2 years (1 year if applicant has current certification by an ABMS or AOABOS/BOC specialty board, or continuous licensure in good standing in 1 or more states and/or D.C. for the preceding 5 years.)

• 7 total attempts on USMLE or COMLEX in 7 years

• 7 years (8 years if in combined DO or MD/PhD program)