The pathways to US medicine
Two roads, honestly compared. Read both before choosing: the right one depends on your years of practice, your finances and your life.
| The honest comparison | Read the residency path | Read the state license laws |
|---|---|---|
| Who it fits | Every IMG, including recent graduates | Physicians with years of foreign practice |
| Typical time | 2 to 4 years to residency start, then 3 to 7 years of residency | Months to a restricted license once a state program is open, if you qualify and find a sponsor |
| Exams | Step 1, Step 2 CK, OET, later Step 3 | Varies by state; ECFMG certification is commonly required |
| The catch | The Match is competitive and annual: a weak season costs a year | Restricted licenses, employer-tied, rules still being written in several states, and none of it grants a visa |