Global Medical Licensing Exams Compared: USMLE vs PLAB vs AMC vs MCCQE (2025)

What Every Future Doctor Should Know About Practicing Internationally

If you're planning to practice medicine abroad or simply want to keep your career options global, you’ll eventually need to pass a licensing exam — and not all are created equal.

In this guide, we compare four of the most widely recognized medical licensing exams used across the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia:

• USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
• PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board – UK)
• AMC (Australian Medical Council Exams)
• MCCQE (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination)

We’ll break down the purpose, structure, eligibility, and difficulty level of each — along with what type of international student each pathway fits best.

> Explore Go-Elective PreMed, PA and Medical Internships Abroad

Why This Matters for Pre-Meds and IMGs

Whether you're studying medicine abroad or planning to relocate after your degree, these exams are often the gateway to residency and clinical practice.

If you're considering a global career — or completing a clinical internship abroad — understanding the licensing landscape will help you stay one step ahead.

USMLE – United States

Full Name: United States Medical Licensing Examination
Who Takes It: U.S. and international medical graduates
Purpose: Licensure for medical practice in the United States
Pathway: Required for U.S. residency match via ERAS

Structure:

• Step 1: Basic sciences (now Pass/Fail)
• Step 2 CK: Clinical knowledge (scored)
• Step 3: Clinical skills and decision-making (required post-residency entry)

Cost (2025):

• Step 1: $1,000+ for IMGs
• Step 2 CK: ~$1,000
• Step 3: ~$915

IMG Consideration: Highly competitive. U.S. clinical experience and strong Step 2 scores are critical. Go Elective’s internships can enhance applications by providing early patient exposure and global health perspective.

PLAB – United Kingdom

Full Name: Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board
Who Takes It: International medical graduates (IMGs)
Purpose: Licensing for medical practice in the UK (via GMC)
Pathway: Required for GMC registration if degree isn’t UK/EEA-based

Structure:

• PLAB 1: Written MCQ test (180 questions)
• PLAB 2: Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE format)

Cost (2025):

• PLAB 1: £255
• PLAB 2: £934
• IELTS/OET may be required prior to PLAB 1

IMG Consideration: More accessible than USMLE in structure and cost. UK hospitals often recognize internships and hands-on clinical experiences, such as those offered by Go Elective in East Africa, when evaluating international candidates.

AMC Exams – Australia

Full Name: Australian Medical Council Exams
Who Takes It: International graduates outside recognized pathways
Purpose: Licensure and entry into the Australian healthcare system
Pathway: Required unless training is from a comparable country (UK, US, Canada, etc.)

Structure:

• AMC MCQ Exam: Computer-based test (150 multiple-choice questions)
• AMC Clinical Exam: 16-station OSCE

Cost (2025):

• AMC MCQ: ~AUD $2,920
• AMC Clinical: ~AUD $4,000

IMG Consideration: Costly but provides a clear route into Australia’s well-respected healthcare system. Having global exposure in high-volume, public hospitals — like those Go Elective partners with — is especially beneficial when preparing for clinical exams.

MCCQE – Canada

Full Name: Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination
Who Takes It: Canadian and international medical graduates
Purpose: Medical licensure in Canada
Pathway: Required for practice and residency placement

Structure:

• MCCQE Part I: Knowledge + clinical decision-making (written, 1-day)
• MCCQE Part II: OSCE-style exam (currently paused and under review)

Cost (2025):

• Part I: ~CAD $1,400
• Part II: Previously CAD $2,780 (on hold as of 2025)

IMG Consideration: Difficult to match without Canadian experience. Internships abroad can’t substitute Canadian clerkships, but they do demonstrate initiative and strong clinical foundations, which matter during assessment and selection.

Comparison Table: Global Medical Licensing Exams (2025)

*Part II of MCCQE is currently suspended but may return in revised format.

Which Exam Should You Aim For?

• Choose USMLE if you're aiming for U.S. residency and can build a competitive profile (including Step 2 CK scores and U.S. experience).
• Consider PLAB if you want to practice in the UK with a lower financial and exam burden.
• Opt for AMC if you're targeting Australia and can afford a structured but costly pathway.
• Go for MCCQE if you're eligible for Canadian residency and meet all licensing criteria.

How Go Elective Internships Help You Prepare

Regardless of which exam you pursue, clinical internships abroad will help you:

• Strengthen your case-based reasoning and communication skills
• Gain real patient interaction under physician supervision
• Build stories for your personal statement or interview responses
• Cultivate cultural competence, often valued in global healthcare systems

Some students use global health internships as a stepping stone to global licensing, combining hospital-based rotations with mentorship in real-world public healthcare settings.

Final Thoughts

Global medical licensing exams are the key to launching your international medical career — but preparation goes beyond studying. Strategic planning, clinical exposure, and early experience in underserved or diverse healthcare systems can set you apart.

Whether you're targeting the USMLE, PLAB, AMC, or MCCQE, combining your academic path with a Go Elective global health internship helps you grow into a confident, globally minded future physician. Apply today or reach out to our advisors via hello@goelective.com 

Article Details

Categories

Recent Articles , Pre-health, Medical Electives,

Author: Go-Elective Abroad

Date Published: Jul 2, 2025