Section 17.12c. Failure on USMLE

(a) Retaking examination. An individual is permitted to retake any component of the USMLE. Steps 1, 2 and 3 shall be completed within a 7-year period. Because Steps 1 and 2 may be taken in any sequence, the 7-year period begins with the passage of the first step taken.

(b) Repeating year of graduate medical training. If an individual fails to secure a passing score on Step 3 in a third attempt, the individual shall repeat a year of graduate medical training at a first or second-year level before retaking Step 3.

(c) Awaiting examination results. If an individual scheduled to go into a second-year level of graduate medical training is awaiting examination scores, the individual may not begin training at a second-year level, but may continue to train at a first-year level, if the individual has renewed the first-year level license, until the individual has notified the Board that Steps 1 and 2 have been passed and the Board has issued the appropriate license. If an individual scheduled to go into a third-year level of graduate medical training is awaiting examination scores, the individual may not begin training at a third-year level, but may continue to train at a first or second-year level, if the individual has renewed the first or second-year level license, until the individual has notified the Board that Step 3 has been passed and the Board has issued the appropriate license.

The provisions of this § 17.12c adopted April 8, 1994, effective April 9, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 1838.