Expenses involved in the USMLE journey to the US Residency

Being a physician and practicing in the USA is a dream of multiple medical students across the globe. However, the financial aspects of the application process can seem daunting to some.

Today, I break down the entire application process cost for an International Medical Graduate (IMG), according to the ECFMG website.

It is imperative to acknowledge that USMLE is an expensive journey and involves many overt and covert costs. The ECFMG breaks down the costs of USMLE as the following:

1. ECFMG Certification fee: $145

2. USMLE Step 1 fee: $965 plus International Test Delivery Surcharge.

3. USMLE Step 2 CK Fee: $965 plus International Test Delivery Surcharge.

4. USMLE Step 2 CS Fee: $1600 plus the cost of travel and stay in the US.

5. ERAS Token: $145

6. Electronic Transmission of USMLE Transcript for ERAS: $80 per ERAS season.

7. NRMP (National Resident Matching Program) registration fee: $85

8. US Clinical Experience: Variable, depending on institute, duration, location, and health and malpractice insurance charges.

9. Application fee for the different Programs: Variable, depending on the number of specialties and programs you are applying. Check out this link: https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residency/article/fees-eras-residency-applications/

10. Additional Expenses: Traveling and Accommodation costs for Interviews, Research and publication fee, Resources used for preparation including Study Material, Question banks, and Assessments.

From the surface, USMLE indeed appears to be a long and tedious process. However, in the long run, the time and expenses involved would appear as a mere investment to a better future as a practicing physician in the United States.

Sources:

1. ECFMG FEES. https://www.ecfmg.org/fees/ Accessed on 22 September 2020.
2. Fees for ERAS Residency Applications. https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residency/article/fees-eras-residency-applications/ Accessed on 22 September 2020.
3. Image Credits https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2016/07/cost-taking-usmle-exams-staggering.html