State-Specific Requirements For Initial Medical Licensure
A-B C-D E-F G-H I-J K-L M N O P-S T-U V W-Z
| State | Minimum Postgraduate Training Required |
Number of attempts at Licensing Examination |
Time Limit for Completing Licensing Examination Sequence |
| Alabama (334) 242-4116 All fees non-refundable Accepts FCVS |
1 year ACGME training for US grads and 3 years ACGME training for IMG’s | 4th attempt at USMLE Step 3 following proof of formal training after the 3rd 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) |
| Alaska (907) 269-8163 Accepts FCVS |
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 |
| Arizona Medical (480) 551-2700 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | No limit on USMLE | 7 years to complete USMLE if initial licensure / No limit if already licensed |
| Arizona Osteopathic (480) 657-7703 Accepts FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Arkansas (501) 296-1802 Accepts FCVS |
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 |
| California Medical (916) 263-2382 (800) 633-2322 Limited acceptance of FCVS |
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 ten (10) years from the month of the examination |
| California Osteopathic (916) 928-8390 Limited Acceptance of FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Colorado (303) 894-7690 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 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 |
| Connecticut (860) 509-7603 Accepts FCVS |
2 years | No limit on USMLE; No limit on COMLEX |
7 years to complete USMLE; No limit on COMLEX |
| Delaware (302) 744-4500 See chart on website for fees Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | No more than 6 attempts to pass each step | 7 years to complete USMLE |
| Washington, DC (202) 724-4900 Accepts FCVS |
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 |
| Florida Medical (850) 245-4131 Highly recommends FCVS |
1 year; 2 years IMG | No limit on USMLE | No limit on USMLE |
| Florida Osteopathic (850) 245-4161 Call for application fee Highly recommends FCVS |
1 year in an AOA-approved program | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Georgia (404) 656-3913 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 1 year if IMG is on list; 3 years IMG if not on list | 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 |
| Guam (671) 735-7406 (671) 735-7408 |
No information at this time | No information at this time | No information at this time |
| Hawaii (808) 586-3000 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 2 years IMG | No limit on USMLE or COMLEX | No limit on USMLE or COMLEX |
| Idaho (208) 327-7000 Accepts FCVS Requires Uniform Application |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 2 attempts per USMLE Step; No limit on COMLEX | 7 years to complete USMLE: 10 years for MD/PhD candidates; No limit on COMLEX |
| Illinois (800) 560-6420 Accepts FCVS |
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 |
| Indiana (317) 234-2060 Accepts FCVS |
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 |
| Iowa (515) 281-5171 Accepts FCVS Utilizes Uniform Application |
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. Three 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. |
| Kansas (785) 296-7413 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG (minimum 2 years in a ACGME approved program) | 3+ attempts at USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3 | 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX |
| Kentucky (502) 429-7150 Requires FCVS |
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 |
| Louisiana (504) 568-6820 Requires FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | No limit at USMLE Step 1or 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 |
| Maine Medical (207) 287-3601 Requires FCVS |
US/Canadian medical school graduates who graduated after 7/1/04 must complete 3 years of ACGME accredited postgraduate training. (Those who graduated before 7/1/04 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. |
| Maine Osteopathic (207) 287-2480 Accepts FCVS |
1 year in AOA approved program | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Maryland (800) 492-6836 Accepts FCVS |
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)) |
| Massachusetts (781) 876-8200 Accepts FCVS |
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).) |
| Michigan Medical (517) 335-0918 Accepts FCVS |
2 years | 3 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 attemps at Step 3. |
| Michigan Osteopathic (517) 335-0918 Accepts FCVS |
1 year in AOA approved program | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Minnesota (612) 617-2130; Hearing impaired (800) 627-3529 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 2 years IMG | 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. All three levels of COMLEX must be passed within 6 attempts. | USMLE Step 3 must be passed within five years of Step 2 or before the end of residency training. |
| Mississippi (601) 987-3079 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 1-3 years IMG | 3 attempts at each Step; No limit on COMLEX | 7 years to complete USMLE; No limit on COMLEX |
| Missouri (573) 751-0098 Accepts FCVS |
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 |
| Montana (406) 841-2364 (406) 841-2361 Accepts FCVS |
2 years; 3 years IMG | 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3; No limit on COMLEX | 7 years to complete USMLE (exceptions possible for MD/PhD candidates); No limit on COMLEX |
| Nebraska (402) 471-2118 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 4 attempts+ at each USMLE Step; 4 attempts+ at each COMLEX Level | 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX beginning with date 1st Step/Level is passed. |
| Nevada Medical (775) 688-2559 Accepts FCVS |
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 three (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 sixty (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 |
| Nevada Osteopathic (702) 732-2147 Accepts FCVS |
3 years for full license OR 2 years if resident signs commitment to practice in NV | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| New Hampshire (603) 271-1203 Requires FCVS |
2 years | 3 attempts at each USMLE Step or COMLEX Level | No limit on USMLE or COMLEX |
| New Jersey (609) 826-7100 Accepts FCVS |
US and IMG graduates who graduated after 7/1/03 must complete 2 years of postgraduate training and have signed a contract for a 3rd year in an accredited program. At least 2 of the years must be in the same field. Graduates prior to 7/1/03: 1 year; 3 years IMG. | 5 attempts at USMLE Step 3; No information available on COMLEX | 7 years to complete USMLE; No information available on COMLEX |
| New Mexico Medical (505) 476-7220 Highly recommends FCVS |
2 years | 6 attempts per USMLE Step | 7 years to complete USMLE; 10 years for MD/PhD candidates |
| New Mexico Osteopathic (505) 476-4622 Highly recommends FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| New York (518) 474-3817 Ext. 560 Accepts FCVS for domestic graduates IMGs-FCVS required |
Domestic 1 year; 3 years IMG | No limit on USMLE or COMLEX | No limit on USMLE or COMLEX |
| North Carolina (919) 326-1100 Doesn’t require FCVS unless previously established a profile |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 3 attempts per USMLE Step; 3 attempts per COMLEX Level | No time limit for passing all three steps |
| North Dakota (701) 328-6500 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 30 months IMG of ACGME accredited training | 3 attempts at each USMLE Step or COMLEX Level | 7 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX |
| Northern Mariana Islands (670) 664-4811 Accepts FCVS |
No information available at this time | No information available at this time | No information available at this time |
| Ohio (614) 466-3934 Requires FCVS |
1 year; 2 years IMG | An applicant for licensure has a total of 5 attempts (or 5 times to fail) a USMLE Step or COMLEX Level. The applicant must have passed on the 6th attempt. | 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX (possible waiver good cause if over 10 years) |
| Oklahoma Medical (800) 381-4519 Accept FCVS |
1 year; 2 years IMG | 3 attempts at each USMLE Step (Step 2 = CK & CS) |
10 years to complete USMLE |
| Oklahoma Osteopathic (405) 528-8625 Accepts FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Oregon (971) 673-2700 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 3 attempts at USMLE step 3/COMLEX level 3. 4th 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 |
| Pennsylvania Medical (717) 783-1400 main number (717) 787-2381 Accepts FCVS |
2 years; 3 years IMG | No limit on USMLE | 7 years to complete USMLE |
| Pennsylvania Osteopathic (717) 783-4858 Accepts FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Puerto Rico (787) 782-8928 Does not accept FCVS |
1 year | No limit on USMLE | USMLE Step 3 shall be passed within 7 years of the date of passing Step 1. |
| Rhode Island (401) 222-3855 Requires FCVS |
2 years; 2 years IMG | 3 attempts at each USMLE Step; 3 attempts at each COMLEX Level | 7 years to complete USMLE; No information available on COMLEX |
| American Samoa | No information available at this time | No information available at this time | No information available at this time |
| South Carolina (803) 896-4500 Requires FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 4 attempts per USMLE Step and COMLEX Level | 10 years to complete USMLE or COMLEX |
| South Dakota (605) 367-7781 Highly recommends FCVS for International Medical Graduates only. |
Successful completion of residency program | Allowed three (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 |
| Tennessee Medical (615) 532-4384 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | No limit on USMLE | 7 years to complete USMLE |
| Tennessee Osteopathic (615) 532-4384 Accepts FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Texas (512) 305-7030 Accepts FCVS |
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 9/1/2005, 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.) |
| Utah Medical (801) 530-6628 Requires FCVS |
2 years completed - OR - 1 year of training complete, with a second year in the state of Utah in progress | 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3 | 7 years to complete USMLE; 10 years for MD/PhD candidates |
| Utah Osteopathic (801) 530-6628 Requires FCVS |
2 years completed- OR -1 year of training complete, with a second year in the state of Utah in progress | 3 attempts at each COMLEX Level | 7 years to complete COMLEX; 10 years for DO/PhD candidates |
| Vermont Medical (802) 657-4220 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3 | 7 years to complete USMLE |
| Vermont Osteopathic (802) 828-2373 Accepts FCVS |
1 year rotating internship or 3 year residency program | No information available at this time | No information available at this time |
| Virgin Islands (340) 774-0117 Requires FCVS |
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. |
| Virginia (804) 662-9908 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 2 years IMG | No limit on USMLE | 10 years to complete USMLE; Greater than 10 years if candidate is ABMS certified. |
| Washington Medical (360) 236-2750 Accepts FCVS |
2 years | 3 attempts at USMLE Step 3 | 7 years+ to complete USMLE |
| Washington Osteopathic (360) 236-4945 Accepts FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| West Virginia Medical (304) 558-2921 ext. 221 Accepts FCVS |
1 year; 3 years IMG | 6 attempts per USMLE Step or Step component | 10 years to complete USMLE |
| West Virginia Osteopathic (304) 723-4638 Accepts FCVS |
1 year | No limit on COMLEX | No limit on COMLEX |
| Wisconsin (608) 266-2112 Accepts FCVS |
2 years | 3+ attempts per USMLE Step; N/A on COMLEX | USMLE Step 3 shall be passed within 10 years of the date of passing Step 1; N/A on COMLEX |
| Wyoming (307) 778-7053 Requires FCVS |
2 years (1 year if applicant has current certification by an ABMS or AOABOS/BOC specialty board, or continuous licensure in good standing in one or more states and/or D.C. for the preceding 5 years.) | 7 total attempts on USMLE or COMLEX in seven years | 7 years (8 years if in combined DO or MD/PhD program) |