State Medical Licensure Requirements

Students must have one year of post-graduate training (three years for international students). The state allows three or more attempts at the Step 3 of the USMLE test, and there’s no limit on COMLEX. Candidates have seven years to finish the USMLE, and there’s no limit on COMLEX. Costs can amount to $195 for the application fees and packet.

Candidates must have two years of post-graduate training (three years for international students). They are permitted two attempts at both the USMLE and COMLEX tests. Students are given seven years to complete the USMLE- but that time period goes up to 10 years for candidates for doctorate degrees. They also have seven years for the COMLEX. Costs in Alaska include the application fee of $250, and licensing fee of $590.

Arizona is divided into two categories- medical and osteopathic. Medical students need one year of post-graduate training, and three years if they are international. The students have no attempt limit on the USMLE exam, and have seven years to finish the USMLE for the initial licensure; there is no time limit if they already have a license. The application costs $500. For an osteopathic license, all students must have one year of post-graduate training, and there are no time or attempt limits on the COMLEX exams. Students will pay $400 to apply.

Medical students in Arkansas must have one year of post-graduate training; this time limit goes up to three years for international students, unless they are enrolled in a training program through the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences. Students are allowed six attempts at the USMLE and there are no attempt or time limits on the COMLEX test. Candidates are allowed seven years to complete the USMLE, and 10 years for medical degree candidates. Costs in Arkansas include a $500 application fee.

Those wishing to obtain medical licenses in California have the following guidelines: one year of post-graduate training or three years for international students, four attempts at the third step of the USMLE exam and must achieve passing scores on a written or computerized exam, which will be valid for a decade from the month of when that test was taken. The licensing fee is $805, and the fee for applications is $493. Osteopathy licenses will be obtained when the student has one year of post-graduate training; no time or attempt limits on the COMLEX test are represented in this state. Application fee is $256.

Students must have one year of post-graduate training- three years for international students. There is no attempt limit on the USMLE test. Students have seven years to complete the USMLE or COMLEX, and 10 years for medical degree candidates. Costs include the $500 application fee.

Connecticut medical students wishing to obtain a medical license must have two years of post-graduate training. There are no time limits on the USMLE and COMLEX tests, and they have seven years to finish the USMLE. There is no time limit on the COMLEX. As far as costs, there is a $450 application fee.

Students must have one year of post-graduate training or three years if they are international students. There is a $500 license fee.

Medical students are required to have one year of post-graduate training or three years for international students. They are allowed three attempts to pass the USMLE, and the COMLEX has no limits on attempts or time to complete it. As far as time, seven years is given for the USMLE, unless they are medical degree candidates – then they have nine years to finish the test. Students in Washington, D.C. will have to pay a $500 application fee.

Florida has different requirements for medical and osteopathic licenses. The medical licenses require that students have one year in an AOA-approved program (American Osteopathic Association), and there are no limits on attempts or time to complete on the USMLE. Application fee is $552. Osteopathic licenses also require the program, and there are no limits on the COMLEX. Students will have to call to find out the cost of the application fee.

Georgia requires one year of post-graduate training and three years for international students wishing to obtain medical licenses. They are allowed three attempts at the USMLE and there are no limits- attempts or time to complete- on the COMLEX exam. Students have seven years to finish the USMLE and nine years if they are candidates for a medical degree. Georgia has a $400 application fee.

In Hawaii, students are required to have one year of post-graduate training; international students need two years. There are no attempt limits on the USMLE test, and the COMLEX has no attempt or time limits. Students have seven years to finish the USMLE, and application and license fee amounts can be obtained by calling the exam center.

Idaho students obtaining medical licenses are required to have one year of post-graduate training. They must have three years of training if they are international students. The COMLEX test has no limits when it comes to attempts or time to complete, but the USMLE exam allows five attempts at all the steps of it combined. Students have seven years to finish that test, or 10 years if they are medical degree candidates. Idaho license costs include $400 by endorsement.

In Iowa, the requirements include the following: one year of post-graduate training or two years for international students; nine attempts at the USMLE’s steps combined and nine attempts at the COMLEX exam levels combined; if the students cannot reach the attempt limit, they must have three years of post-graduate training. They are allowed 10 years to finish either test, and that limit includes medical degree candidates. If the time limit has not been reached, a board certification must be obtained. Iowa costs include a $505 licensure fee.

Kansas medical students obtaining licenses are required to have one year of post-graduate training. International students need three years, with two years in a U.S. program. For the exams, they have three or more attempts at the USMLE’s Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3, and are given 10 years to complete either test. Costs include a $300 application fee.

All students are required to have two years of post-graduate training. They are given four attempts at each of the USMLE steps and COMLEX levels, and there are no time constraints to complete the tests. Costs include the $300 application fee.

Louisiana requires that students have one year of post-graduate training or three years for international students. The state imposes no attempt limit on the first step of USMLE and first level of COMLEX, but gives four attempts at the remaining steps of USMLE and levels of COMLEX. Students have seven years to complete USMLE. If they cannot complete it in that time, they must request a waiver. Costs in this state include a $382 license fee.

Maine has different requirements for its medical and osteopathic licenses. Medical students who graduated after July 1, 2004 must complete three years of post-graduate training. Those who graduated prior to that date are required to have two years of the training. International students need three years regardless. Students are given three attempts at the USMLE test. If they cannot pass it in three tries, they must request a waiver. Students have seven years to complete the test or, again, must request a waiver. Costs include a $700 fee for licensure and registration. Osteopathic licenses require one year of post-graduate training. There are no time or attempt limits on the COMLEX test, and costs include a $350 application fee by endorsement.

Maryland requires one year of post-graduate training or two years for international students. Students are given four attempts at the USMLE and COMLEX tests, and have 10 years to complete either. Costs include a licensure fee of $819.50, or $919.50 for international students.

Students in Massachusetts wishing to obtain a state medical license must have one year of post-graduate training or two years for international students. There are six attempts given on the USMLE Step 3 and there are no attempt or time limits on the COMLEX exam. Students have seven years to finish the USMLE and there are exceptions for medical degree candidates. Costs include a $600 licensure fee.

Michigan differs in requirements between its medical and osteopathic licenses. SFor medical, students must have two years of post-graduate training. There is no attempt limit on the USMLE and students are given five years to finish the test’s Step 3. Costs include $150 for the profession license, $85 for controlled substance license or $235 for both. The osteopathic license requires students to have one year in an AOA-approved program. There are no limits – time or attempts – on the COMLEX exam.

In Minnesota, students are required to have one year of post-graduate training and international students must have two years of training. There are no attempt limits on the COMLEX test unless they have a license in another state- then they are allowed four attempts. Students have three attempts at each USMLE step. The state requires students to finish USMLE Step 3 within five years of completion of Step 2, or before their residency training is over. Costs in Minnesota include a $392 licensure fee.

Mississippi requires that students have one year of post-graduate training, or one to three years for international students, to obtain a license in this state. Students are given three attempts to finish the USMLE and there are no time or attempt limits at the COMLEX. Students have seven years to finish the USMLE. Costs include a $550 online application fee or $600 paper application fee.

Missouri state licenses require that students have completed one year of post-graduate training, or three years for international students. They have three attempts for the USMLE Step 3 and COMLEX; COMLEX has no time limit. The USMLE must be finished in seven years, but medical degree candidates can obtain a waiver. Costs include $300 by examination.

In Montana, licensure requirements include two years of post-graduate training or three years for international students. Students are given three attempts to pass USMLE’s Step 3; there are no time or attempt limits on the COMLEX test. The USMLE should be finished in seven years, but medical degree candidates have exceptions. Costs include a $325 licensure fee.

Nebraska requires that students obtaining state licenses have one year of post-graduate training; international students must have three years. Students are given four attempts for each of the USMLE steps and COMLEX levels, and have 10 years to complete the tests, starting when the first portion of either exam is passed. Costs for state licensure in Nebraska include a $200 fee either for application or reciprocity.

In Nevada, rules differ for medical and osteopathic licenses. Requirements include three years of post-graduate training. Students are given nine attempts for the combined USMLE tests. They have seven years to complete the USMLE exam, and 10 years for medical degree candidates. Costs can be found by visiting www.medboard.nv.gov. Osteopathic licensing requires that students have three years of post-graduate training, or two years if they commit to practice in Nevada. There are no time or attempt limits on the COMLEX test. Costs include a $650 fee for the application and initial licensure.

New Hampshire state licensing requires that applicants complete two years of post-graduate training. They are given three attempts at each USMLE Step and COMLEX level, and there is no time limit to complete either test. Costs include a $250 application fee.

In New Jersey, obtaining medical licenses requires students to finish two years of post-graduate training if they graduated after July 1, 2003 and are contracted into an accreditation program, and at least two of the years should be in the same field. Graduates after that date need one year of training and international students need three years. They have five attempts at Step 3 of the USMLE exam, and have seven years to complete that test. New Jersey costs can be obtained by contacting the state board.

New Mexico medical licenses require that applicants complete two years of post-graduate training, and one year for osteopathic licenses. There is no limit on the COMLEX exam. Students are given six attempts at each USMLE step and have seven years to complete it, or 10 years for medical degree candidates. Fee information can be obtained by visiting www.nmmb.state.nm.us.

In New York state, medical licensure is obtained by following these steps: complete one year of post-graduate training or three years for international students. There are no time or attempt limits at either the USMLE or COMLEX exams. As far as cost, there is a $735 licensure fee in New York.

North Carolina requires that state license applicants finish one year of post-graduate training or three years for international students. Students are given six attempts at each USMLE step, and there are no limits on the COMLEX test. Students are to finish the USMLE Step 3 within seven years of completing Step 1, but medical degree candidates have 10 years for that requirement. The licensure fee in North Carolina is $350.

In North Dakota, state license applicants are to finish one year of post-graduate training or three years for international students. Students are given three attempts at each USMLE step or COMLEX level, and have seven years to complete either exam. The cost in this state is the $200 application fee.

In Ohio, state license applicants must complete one year of post-graduate training. International students need two years. Students have no attempt limits for the USMLE and COMLEX tests, but must finish the exams in seven years. Waivers can be obtained for medical degree candidates or those with personal illness. The state board can be contacted for license fee information.

Oklahoma’s regulations differ between medical and osteopathic licenses. Both applicants will need one year of post-graduate training, but international medical students need two years. Medical students have three attempts at each USMLE step, and have 10 years to complete the exam. Osteopathic applicants have no limits whatsoever on the COMLEX exam. Costs include the following for medical: application, $400; temporary approved, $200; and resident, $200. Osteopathic applicants have a $575 application fee.

State license applicants need a year of post-graduate training, or three years for international students. They are given three attempts and a year of training at USMLE Step 3, and the same for COMLEX Level 3. If the student is certified by AOA or American Board of Medical Specialties, waivers can be obtained. Applicants have seven years to complete either exam, and waivers are available for dual degree candidates, personal illness or AOA/ABMS-certified applicants. Also, those with post-graduate training equal to number of years in the dual degree program also can obtain waivers. Costs include $375 application fee.

Pennsylvania state licensure requires that students have completed two years of post-graduate training or three years for international students. There are no time or attempt limits on the exam, and costs include a $35 application fee for accredited colleges and $85 for unaccredited institutions. Osteopathic license applicants need a year of post-graduate training and there are no time or attempt limits on the COMLEX. The cost is a $215 license/exam fee and $45 application fee.

In Rhode Island, state licenses require that applicants finish two years of post-graduate training or three years for international students. Applicants are given three attempts at each USMLE step and COMLEX level, and have seven years to finish USMLE. Cost is $570 for the application, and $140 for controlled substance registration.

South Carolina requires its state license applicants to finish a year of post-graduate training. International students need three years. Applicants have three attempts at each USMLE step and COMLEX level, and they have 10 years to complete either exam. Costs include a $600 application fee.

South Dakota state licensure requires a successful completion of a residency program. Students are given three attempts at each USMLE step and COMLEX level, and seven years are allotted to finish the exams. Costs include a $200 application fee.

Tennessee has requirements for both state medical and osteopathic licenses. For example, both medical and osteopathic applicants must complete a year of postgraduate training, but international medical applicants need three years of the training. There are no attempt limits on the USMLE and COMLEX exams, and medical students have seven years to complete the USMLE. There is no time limit on the COMLEX. There is a $410 application fee for both categories.

Texas state licensure requires that applicants complete one year of post-graduate training, and international students need three years. Applicants are given three attempts at each USMLE step and COMLEX level and seven years are given to complete the tests, but students should visit www.tmb.tx.state.gov for information about possible exceptions. Texas costs include an $805 application fee.

In Utah, state license requirements include the following: post-graduate training of two years for both medical and osteopathic applicants, three attempts at USMLE steps and COMLEX levels and completion of the exam in seven years. Medical degree candidates have 10 years. Utah license costs include a $200 application fee.

Vermont requires that medical license applicants complete one year of post-graduate training and three years for international students. Osteopathic applicants need a one-year rotating internship or three-year residency program. Students have three attempts at Step 3 of the USMLE, and seven years to complete the test. Costs include a $500 licensure fee for medical, and $400 for osteopathic.

State licensure requirements include the following: a year of post-graduate training and two years for international students, no attempt limit on the USMLE exam and 10 years to complete it unless certified by ABMS. A $302 licensure fee also will be needed.

Washington offers both medical and osteopathic licenses. The state requires medical applicants to finish two years of post-graduate training, and osteopathic applicants need one year. Applicants have three attempts at the USMLE and finish it in seven years, but no limits are imposed on COMLEX. Costs include a $325 application fee for medical, and $650 licensure fee for osteopathic.

Applicants must finish a year of post-graduate training for both medical and osteopathic licenses, but international medical applicants need three years of training. Students can make three attempts to pass each USMLE step in 10 years, but no limits are included for the COMLEX exam. Costs include a $300 licensure fee for medical, and $200 reciprocity for endorsement for osteopathic.

Wisconsin state licensure requires a year of post-graduate training. The state allows three attempts per USMLE, but the exam must be passed within 10 years of the first step being passed successfully. There’s an initial fee of $125 in Wisconsin.