ECFMG’s Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) .

The purpose of the CSA is to test your medical communication skills, English proficiency, history, physical exam and diagnostic skills. CSA is a one-day exam that lasts for approximately 8 hours. You will be given about 10 patients to examine. You will have the opportunity to interact with them for 15 minutes each. You will then have 10 minutes to write a brief medical case history, physical findings, differential diagnosis and treatment plan. It is not computer based. It is a live exam with paid actors portraying patients. At present ECFMG’s CSA is given only at two centers in the U.S. - Philadelphia, PA and Atlanta, GA. You will have to travel to these cities to take ECFMG’s CSA exam. Learn more about ECFMG CSA & USMLE Step 2 CS. 

ECFMG recently announced that the CSA exam will be replaced by USMLE Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills) in June 2004. There are plans to open up additional Step 2 CS test centers. When these changes are completed, ECFMG hopes to have the following five test centers for USMLE Step 2 CS / CSA …  

  • Philadelphia, PA - June 2004

  • Atlanta, GA - July 2004

  • Los Angeles, CA - August 2004

  • Chicago, IL - September 2004

  • Houston, TX - September 2004

ECFMG CSA will be administered for the last time on April 16, 2004. USMLE Step 2 CS starting June 1, 2004 will replace this. Between April 17, 2004 and May 31, 2004, no tests (CSA / Step 2 CS) will be available. 

The new USMLE step 2 CS will consist of three components. 

  • Integrated Clinical Encounter consisting of data gathering and patient notes

  • Communication / Interpersonal Skills

  • Spoken English Proficiency

Candidates must pass all three components to pass USMLE Step 2 CS. There is no limit on the number of attempts to pass the Step 2 CS. There is a minimum wait period of 60 days between consecutive attempts and a limit of three attempts in a 12-month period.

Once the USMLE Step 2 CS (clinical skills) is implemented from June 1, 2004, the present English language proficiency test (TOEFL) will be eliminated as a requirement for ECFMG certification.

To stay on top of these changes, sign up for the free e-newsletter “ECFMG reporter”. This information can also be obtained from the official USMLE website.