Where Can You Practice with a UK medicine degree? ( USA )

To practice medicine in the United States with a UK degree, you must go through the standard process for international medical graduates.

The key steps are:

ECFMG Certification:

You need to be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). ECFMG certification is a prerequisite for virtually all US residency programs and for obtaining a medical license.

To achieve this, you must:

·       Have your primary medical qualification verified and your school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (all accredited UK schools are listed).

·       Pass the USMLE Step 1 exam (tests basic medical sciences).

·       Pass the USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) exam.

Clinical Skills Requirement:

Historically, USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) exam was required, but it has been discontinued. Currently (as of 2024-2025), ECFMG requires alternative proof of clinical skills such as an OET English exam and/or a Pathways application to attest your clinical communication skills. In short, you’ll need to demonstrate English proficiency and clinical skills via the ECFMG “Pathways” if Step 2 CS is not available.

Once you have passed USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK, and met the clinical skills requirement, you are issued the ECFMG certificate.

Residency Training (GME):

After ECFMG certification, you must enter a US residency program to get clinical training in the US. Even though you have an MBBS/MBChB, the US generally requires at least 3 years of Graduate Medical Education (residency) in an accredited program before you can be licensed for unsupervised practice. You apply to residencies via the ERAS/NRMP Match system. Securing a residency is competitive; your USMLE scores, clinical experience, and interviews will determine where/if you match.

USMLE Step 3 and Medical Licensure:

The full US medical license (to practice independently) usually requires passing USMLE Step 3 and completing at least one year of residency. Step 3 is taken during residency (often after the first year) and tests advanced clinical and management knowledge. State medical boards issue licenses, and requirements vary slightly by state, but completion of 1–3 years of residency and USMLE Steps 1-3 is standard. As a UK graduate, you will be in the same position as other international graduates – you cannot practice in the US without doing a residency, except in extremely limited cases. The only partial exception is if you are already a fully trained specialist abroad: some specialty boards and states may offer alternative pathways or shortened training if you are on a specialist register abroad, but this is case-by-case and still requires exams.

Visa: 

Unless you are a US citizen/permanent resident, you’ll need a visa (usually J-1 or H-1B) to do residency in the US. Generally, you secure a residency offer first, then the program helps with the visa process. P.S. you cannot get a work visa until you have ECFMG certification and a residency position.

Timeline example: 

During med school (or right after), you’d take USMLE Step 1 and 2 CK. In your final year, apply for the Match (for which you must be ECFMG-certified by the start of residency). After graduation, start a residency in the US (e.g. Internal Medicine for 3 years). Pass USMLE Step 3 during residency, then obtain a state license after 1–3 years of training (varies by state). Complete residency training and optionally get board certified in your specialty. After that, you can practice as a physician in the US. This route is long and challenging, but many international graduates (including from the UK) successfully become licensed in the US each year.