USMLE STEP-1 EXAMINATION - LEGAL VULNERABILITY

Since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the courts have rul ed that sponsors of job entry assessment procedures must demonstrate t he absence of discrimination against minorities. If an assessment disc riminates, the courts may prohibit the use of the assessment unless th e assessment is linked to a job analysis and exhibits validity. In 199 4, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Boar d of Medical Examiners (NBME) instituted a three-step USMLE examinatio n program as a single pathway for medical licensure. The Step I examin ation is not linked to a physician job analysis, exhibits lower scores for minority groups, and lacks construct validity. To avoid the chaos and expense of a protracted legal challenge, the FSMB and the NBME ma y need to revise the Step I examination, or discontinue it as a requir ement of medical licensure.