Follow Our Tips for Taking Your USMLE Step Exams If You Want To Score Higher

George Indest HeadshotBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Here are some common-sense tips you should be sure you follow that may help you to reduce stress and score higher when you take your United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step examinations. You should be doing everything within your control to minimize your stress and the risk of being late for the examination. Again, these are common sense; if you have taken a lot of standardized examinations, you may already be aware of these.

1. Do not plan on […]

8 Major Chinese Med Schools Taken Off World Directory Relied on by ECFMG and USMLE

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

In April 2014, the new World Directory of Medical Schools (“World Directory”) was published. It took over as the definitive list of medical schools in the world (yes, the whole world). There are 180 Chinese medical schools listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools. Medical graduates from these schools are routinely eligible to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step exams, required for licensing in the United States, after applying and obtaining permission through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

However, in 2019, eight (8) previously recognized Chinese medical schools were […]

By |2024-05-03T20:00:03-04:00May 5, 2024|Health Facilities Law Blog|

Eight Major Chinese Medical Schools No Longer Listed in World Directory Relied on by ECFMG and USMLE

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

In April 2014, the new World Directory of Medical Schools (“World Directory”) was published. It took over as the definitive list of medical schools in the world (yes, the whole world). There are 180 Chinese medical schools listed on the World Directory of Medical Schools. Medical graduates from these schools are routinely eligible to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step exams, required for licensing in the United States, after applying and obtaining permission through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

However, in 2019, eight (8) previously recognized Chinese medical schools were […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:11-04:00February 26, 2024|Medical Education Law Blog|

Good News and Bad News for ECFMG & USMLE Applicants: Recent Changes for the USMLE Step Exams

Headshot of attorney George IndestBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

These are some recently announced changes that could significantly impact anyone seeking to take the USMLE Step exams. This could be construed as good news by many and bad news by many others. Regardless, here it is.

Step 1 Exam Changing to Pass/Fail Grade and Score Reporting.

The USMLE announced recently that it would change the scoring and reporting for Step 1 exam scores. Step 1 score reporting will transition to pass/fail only for administrations on or after January 26, 2022. All of the worry about passing with a low score and how […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:11-04:00February 26, 2024|Health care Law, Medical Education Law Blog|

Accused of Irregular Behavior on the USMLE? Here’s What You Will Do Wrong

Attorney and Author George F. Indest III HeadshotBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

We frequently receive calls for consultations from students who receive a letter from the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) accusing the medical student or medical resident of “Irregular Behavior” on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). In many cases, these are graduates of foreign medical schools who have applied through the Examination Committee for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).

Irregular behavior can consist of many different things before, during, or after taking the USMLE. What you must know is that, in effect, you are being accused of cheating.

Types of […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:12-04:00February 7, 2024|Medical Education Law Blog|

Find the Right Attorney For Your Irregular Behavior Case Before the USMLE or ECFMG

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

If you have received a letter from the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Secretariat or the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) accusing you of “irregular behavior,” this is very serious stuff. You need an experienced lawyer to assist you. But how do you find one? This blog will provide several tips on how to locate an experienced effective attorney who will really provide the legal assistance you need.


You Don’t Need a Philadelphia Attorney to Represent You.

First, there are only a handful of attorneys in the United States who have handled more than one […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:12-04:00February 6, 2024|Medical Education Law Blog|

New Policy Changes to USMLE Exams and How They Impact Medical Students, Graduates

Attorney Achal A. Aggarwal HeadshotBy Achal A. Aggarwal, J.D.

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (“USMLE”) is a three-step examination required to obtain a medical license. It is written and administered by the USMLE Secretariat of the National Board of Medical Examiners (“NBME”) and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (“FSMB”) and the USMLE.

Medical students desiring to practice in the U.S. are under immense pressure to not only pass the exams but to excel at them. Specifically, the USMLE Step 1 Examination, the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (“CK”) Examination, and the USMLE Step […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:45-04:00March 29, 2021|In the News, Medical Education Law Blog|

Cheating, Irregular Behavior and Other Challenges Facing Medical Students and Graduates

George Indest HeadshotBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The road to becoming a physician is paved with many unique challenges. The long, exhausting journey begins and students are faced with the first battle: rigorous undergraduate course work, followed by the MCAT and medical school applications. During medical school, and for some, after graduation, the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) and its STEP 1, STEP 2, and STEP 3 exams provide another hurdle in the uphill battle. At any of these stages, […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:49-04:00February 18, 2021|Health Facilities Law Blog|

University of Florida Rescinds Prospect For Racist Online Post

George Indest HeadshotBy George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On June 8, 2020, the University of Florida (UF) reportedly announced via Twitter that it had rescinded its offer of acceptance to a prospective student. The offer was rescinded by the university because of an allegedly racist message posted by the student on social media. According to reports, UF spokesman Steve Orlando stated that the university received multiple e-mails complaining about the post. As a result of the investigation, the student is no longer a UF prospect, according to the announcement.

Social networks provide students, resident physicians, fellows, and clinical professors […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:49-04:00February 17, 2021|Nursing Law Blog|

What Foreign Medical Graduates Need to Know Before Transferring Medical Schools

By Achal A. Aggarwal, M.B.A., J.D., and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

When medical school graduates who graduated from a medical school outside of the United States want to practice medicine in the United States, they register with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (“ECFMG”). The ECFMG issues certificates to foreign medical graduates to register for and take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (“USMLE”) Step exams. Medical graduates must take and pass all of the USMLE Step exams to practice medicine in the United States.


Guidelines for Medical School Transfers.

The ECFMG has several rules and procedures regarding a foreign medical […]

By |2024-03-14T09:59:54-04:00November 25, 2020|In the Know, Medical Education Law Blog|
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