Step III

[Thirteen]

Anyone else totally bowled over by the cost of Step III?
DH was all set to take it, and then realized we absolutely do not have the money right now.
We're going to have to save to take a test that will allow him to moonlight to make more money -- talk about irony

(I thought maybe like $250, but over $700??? Wowza).

[L.Jane]

Lordy, I did not know. Thats redic. Right now I am just trying to get J to realize he needs to GET ON IT! I feel like a total nag, but I think he is avoiding it, and its just not good. The other day on FB one of his co residents status said she was studying and he asks her what for, and of course she says step3. I turn and look at him and am like, shouldn't you be? He just looked at me blankly. Grrrr.

[Pollyanna]

And the tests just get more and more expensive from there. We'll be paying for step III for the next several years I imagine. Sorry about the sticker shock.

[Pollyanna]

I turn and look at him and am like, shouldn't you be? He just looked at me blankly. Grrrr.

Dh didn't take step III until chief year, it's not really a rush unless they can moonlight which was not an option in our program.

[L.Jane]

From what I understand, J was told he couldn't go on to PGY3 with out taking it... But I could be mistaken. Its not unusual

[ides]

ugh. yeah. dh took his step three this year and it's combined with the state licensure so besides the test fee we had to cough up another $700 for the licensure fee. Medicine is such a money stealer!

[MissCrabette]

Hmm, I thought some programs paid for it as long as you registered after starting with them. I just started researching programs, so maybe it's only the few I've looked at so far.

[madeintaiwan]

Yeah, I feel you. We had to pay for that last year or so. The program now requires that they take it before PGY2. They get a set amount of "book" allowance per year that they can be reimbursed for things like books or the STEP III. We used PGY2 and 3 "book" money to pay part of DH's loupes. They were $1100 and they HAVE to have their own. DH's DEA is up for renewal this January. So not looking forward to paying for that $550.

[DCJenn]

We in the US Armed Forces would like to thank you for your tax dollars to shoulder our expenses during training, including all of the tests.

The only thing we have to cover (even as attendings they still cover the costs of the Boards)
is the medical license. (and it doesn't matter where you get your license, either)

Jenn

[houseelf]

And the tests just get more and more expensive from there.

You don't even want to know the depths of the truth of this statement. Seriously.

Kelly

[ladymoreta]

We in the US Armed Forces would like to thank you for your tax dollars to shoulder our expenses during training, including all of the tests.

And so glad to do it! Seriously, I am in awe of all of the military families on here, and think that you deserve all the benefits (and many more).

[moonlight]

Hmm, I thought some programs paid for it as long as you registered after starting with them. I just started researching programs, so maybe it's only the few I've looked at so far.

This is the case at DH's program. He gets book money and they pay for Step 3. This program cut him a check payable to the medical board testing people and DH filled out the application. Guess who mailed it for him today???

From what I understand different programs have various rules on when Step 3 must be taken.

[Amiens]

Dh had to take Step 3 before the end of his PGY4 (CA-3). The test that shocked me was his anesthesia written and then the oral boards. When we sent the money in for the orals, I kept saying "We paid WHAT for WHAT?!" Then you add on hotel, airfare, as the ABA only does 2 locations- one in the spring and the other in the fall. I remember all too well PGY4 being an extremely belt buckling year- boards, DEA license, CA license, ID license.

Dh's program didn't pay for USMLE or the boards, that came out of our piggy bank.

[Cumberland]

Yeah, I feel you. We had to pay for that last year or so. The program now requires that they take it before PGY2. They get a set amount of "book" allowance per year that they can be reimbursed for things like books or the STEP III. We used PGY2 and 3 "book" money to pay part of DH's loupes. They were $1100 and they HAVE to have their own. DH's DEA is up for renewal this January. So not looking forward to paying for that $550.

I thought most training institutions waived the DEA fee? Unless he is using it to moonlight at for-profit places...

[madeintaiwan]

I thought most training institutions waived the DEA fee? Unless he is using it to moonlight at for-profit places...

No the program here makes the residents have their own DEA # versus using an institution #. No moonlighting allowed for ortho here.