Contact Information:
International Programs
Internationalprograms@nbme.org
In 2002, the NBME and the Universidad de Panamá began collaborative work that has resulted in valid and reliable residency selection for the Republic of Panama. Approximately 400 candidates for postgraduate training in Panama take the examination annually. The NBME and Panamanian authorities have recently renewed the contract for the examination and anticipate further collaboration in other areas.
Puerto Rico
There are four LCME-accredited medical schools in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Graduates of these schools ordinarily use the three Steps of the USMLE to obtain a license to practice medicine in Puerto Rico. Although Puerto Rican citizens studying abroad are eligible to take the USMLE as international medical graduates, Commonwealth law requires that the Puerto Rico Medical Board provide an alternative examination pathway in Spanish and English. At the request of the Puerto Rico Medical Board and the Federation of State Medical Boards, the NBME has developed a two-part examination process that fulfills this requirement. Final negotiations are currently underway; the first administration of the exams is scheduled for June 2009.
Other Activities
The NBME seeks to encourage formation of organizations which can promote global efforts to improve medical education and assessment of health care providers. With the support of the NBME, and in collaboration with the Foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), European experts on medical education and licensure of healthcare professionals have been meeting with members of the NBME and FAIMER staff and governance to explore areas of common interest. Although European Union regulations mandate acceptance of professional degrees across EU nations, there are at present no uniformly accepted standard measures of individual achievement. Among topics under discussion is the need for a valid and reliable assessment of medical knowledge that would assist in evaluation of medical students and fully trained physicians seeking international educational or practice opportunities.
The NBME continues to offer a range of psychometric consultation services and examination services to regulatory agencies, medical societies, and national governments. These include individual test item pools, progress tests, and psychometric services. Ongoing Fellowship programs at the NBME permit scholars and scientists from Asia, Europe, and Latin America to spend time in individually designed educational activities at NBME headquarters. Together with FAIMER, the NBME provides an international Fundamentals of Assessment in Medical Education course in conjunction with the annual meetings of the Association for Medical Education in Europe, and the Association of American Medical Colleges.