Rafo
Forum Senior
Topics: 23
Posts: 62
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Hello everyone!!
As an IMG hoping to get an H-1B visa I´m really confused about Step 3  ...what I understand clearly is that i have to be ECFMG Certified before applying for step 3. But, which are the states that let me take the exam before entering a residency??. I found a list at the FSMB site, and all the states seem to require at least 1 year of posgraduate training ...<http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_eliinitial.html> ...has this recently changed?  I thought that there were some states like Connecticut and New York, which allowed applicants to take Step 3 even before registering for the match.
Do I have to pay the licensure fees along with my Step 3 application or do i have to pay them after i pass the test? How long does the process of applying for Step 3 take? What about the elegibility periods? It seems they are assigned and not chosen by applicants, so is there a way or a proper moment to apply if one wants to be assigned a certain elegibility period? I don´t know if I´m making sense  ...I would really appreciate some explanations from someone who has already gone through everything or is more advanced than me, specially if he or she is applying or has applied to New York State Board and has gotten an H1B visa.
Hope to get some replies. 
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| gollum05
Forum Senior
Topics: 25
Posts: 126
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hi rafo,
i know the answers of a few of your questions roughly and am writing those: (please cross check in case i go wrong)
you need not take step 3 at the state where you are applying for a residency. you can take step 3 wherever you want and the result is valid for any state. most people take it through connecticut as it does not require u to do a residency and also is the cheapest, i was told(cross check that). u also don't need to travel to connecticut to take the exam. you can take the exam in your local center.
i don't know about new york state but u can check it out on fsmb. they have a list of all the states and their requirements for the exam. there are a few where u can take it without a residency, so just pick one. any state will do.
regarding the eligibility period, i had the exact same doubt as you. well, you don't get to pick the eligibility period but u can make an estimate of it. the eligibility period assigned to u will be approximately 10 days after your application is accepted. it will be a 90 day eligibility period and they also keep a 15 day buffer period for postal delays. so if u want to give your exam just for eg. in may, it is good to get an eligibility period of may-june-july, and for that apply around 15th of april. so first start studying, then when u are sure of when u want to take the exam, apply. u can always call up fsmb and they are very helpful. i did call them up and ask them what is the best time to apply for the date i wanted to take the exam. they told me and thats what i just wrote down for u.
hope this helps. good luck!
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| the_holy_man
Forum Senior
Topics: 6
Posts: 287
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also check here.
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| Bela
Forum Guru
Topics: 76
Posts: 412
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Gollum,
If I could ask you a question, too. I just got my certificate in the mail and I wanted to register for the exam. However, I live in Boston. Can I apply to CT and still take the exam at a local center in Boston or do I have to go all the way there????
Please explain as I am really confused.
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| Bela
Forum Guru
Topics: 76
Posts: 412
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I almost forgot...
is it better to do the online application or the paper one?
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| seri
Forum Senior
Topics: 4
Posts: 190
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bela the online application is better/ faster. it says so on the website. you can apply to CT and take your exam for CT wherever you choose.
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| Bela
Forum Guru
Topics: 76
Posts: 412
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thank you seri. Already registered. I am waiting for my orange slip to schedule the test. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr.
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| wamba
Forum Guru
Topics: 149
Posts: 664
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HI GUYS. pls a question: Can I do my step 3 in my local center in Italy (Milan) or I have to move to the states? tx so much for the reply
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| jaide
say wat!~
Topics: 18
Posts: 538
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hey....thanx...i too have a few queries....
so im not gonna b able to give my cs until august....can i apply for step 3 stating that the ecfmg certification is awaited....or do i apply when i get it?? also if i get the certi by nov(i hope sooner)...then will i b able to give step 3 by dec??? and how is this gonna effect my chances for an h1b??
plz..... help would b greatly appreciated.....any one????
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| royalgeorge
Forum Elite
Topics: 10
Posts: 266
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No Jaide u have to be certified to takethe exam, they ask the date on which uwere certified
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