In surprising news, the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination has been permanently discontinued. The announcement was made on January 26th, 2021, by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the NBME, both being co-sponsors of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). In May 2020, the USMLE Step 2 CS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and during the suspension, the USMLE program wanted to try and modify the exam to make it a better assessment tool. After reviewing current and anticipated progress with the exam and considering the rapidly evolving medical education landscape, the USMLE program ultimately decided to discontinue the Step 2 CS. The USMLE program feels that there are more innovative ways to assess medical students’ clinical skills.
During the USMLE Step 2 CS suspension in 2020, this did not affect Avalon University as Avalon students/graduates qualify for ECFMG certification under ECFMG pathway 3.
As per the ECFMG’s pathway 3, credit for the USMLE Step 2 CS could be given if the medical school is accredited. Thankfully, due to Avalon being accredited by CAAM-HP and ACCM, Avalon was permitted to credit the students’ clinical skills by submitting clinical skills attestation form based on students’ evaluation during clinical rotations. The more significant news moving forward with the Step 2 CS discontinuation, ECFMG will continue and allow Avalon students/graduates to be attested by Avalon for being an accredited medical school.
