Administrative Law Topics: Examinations

Court Orders California Medical Board to permit examinee to retake USMLE Part III and to establish a passing score by resolution

On March 1, 2010, the California Court of Appeal filed its decision in YVETTE MARQUEZ v. MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA, California Court of Appeal Case No. C060456.

Medical license applicants in California are required to pass certain examinations including the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Applicants must pass each of three parts to the examination. To be eligible for a California license, an applicant must pass Part III of the exam within four attempts. The examination is administered by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), which establishes a recommended minimum score.