usmle step3 reg

From the Federation of State Medical Boards "USMLE [United States Medical
Licensing Examination] Step 3 FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]" web page.
http://www.fsmb.org/stp3faq.htm

"Is postgraduate training required to sit Step 3?

Most states require that an individual have completed a portion of their
postgraduate training prior to sitting for Step 3. However, the following
states do not require postgraduate training to sit for Step 3:

Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Florida
Louisiana***
Maryland***
Nebraska*
Nevada
New York
North Carolina**
South Dakota
Texas
Utah*
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wyoming**

*valid, indefinite ECFMG certificate required for international medical
graduates
**applies only to domestic medical graduates
***Training required at fourth attempt
..."

There are some caveats to the states listed above and other states as
well, so you should read the referenced page for the details, such as
the following.

"Will I be required to apply for a medical license when I apply to take
Step 3?

The following licensing authorities require that you apply for licensure
at the same time you are applying to take Step 3: Alabama, District of
Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New
York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin."

I have found nothing that suggests that if you have completed the USMLE
Step 3 examination you would be prohibited from a residency program in
the states not listed above.

It appears to be more a situation wherein the medical licensing authority
for which you are sitting the exam determines if they require that you have
postgraduate training prior to sitting for Step 3, rather than the other
way around.

This makes sense in that if you start your residency in Arkansas, that
allows you to take your USMLE Step 3 before you started, and then you
wanted to complete your residency in Colorado, they are not going to
stop you because you have "pretested" for the USMLE Step 3.