USMLE vs PLAB vs AMC: Country
USMLE: The USMLE exam is mandatory for those medical doctors aiming to practise in the United States.
PLAB: The PLAB exam is the gateway to becoming a registered doctor in the United Kingdom.
AMC: The AMC exam is an essential part of getting registration to practise in Australia.
USMLE vs PLAB vs AMC: Who Conducts the Exam?
USMLE: The USMLE exam is conducted by two bodies: the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).
PLAB: The PLAB exam is conducted by the General Medical Council (GMC).
AMC: The AMC exam is conducted by the Australian Medical Council (AMC).
USMLE vs PLAB vs AMC: Eligibility Requirements
USMLE: The eligibility criteria are as follows.
- Candidates must be enrolled in or a graduate of a non-U.S. and non-Canadian medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, meeting ECFMG criteria.
- Candidates must meet any other criteria set by the ECFMG as mandated.
PLAB: The international medical graduates applying must hold a primary medical qualification recognised by an institution listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- The applicant must have undertaken clinical rotations as part of their primary medical qualification (12 months).
- The English language proficiency should be proven by achieving a minimum overall score of 7.5 in the IELTS academic modules, with a minimum score of 7.0 in each
AMC: The candidate must hold a primary medical qualification obtained from a medical school listed and recognised by the Australian Medical Council. All you need to be eligible to take this exam is-
- An MBBS or relevant medical graduation degree obtained from a university/institute listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDoMS).
USMLE vs PLAB vs AMC: Examination Structure
USMLE: The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is split into three parts: Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. Step 1 checks your understanding of basic science and how it applies to real medical situations. Step 2 looks at how well you know clinical science and how you use it in practice. Step 3 is about testing your knowledge of both basic and clinical science, plus how you manage patients, handle emergencies, and more. These steps make sure doctors have the right knowledge and skills to take care of patients in different situations.
PLAB: The Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam also has two parts. PLAB 1 is a written test that lasts 3 hours. It has 180 multiple-choice questions about various medical subjects. PLAB 2 is a hands-on exam called an OSCE. You'll go through 16 different patient scenarios, and each one lasts 8 minutes. This part of the exam checks how well you can use your medical knowledge in practical situations, like diagnosing patients and communicating with them.
AMC: The Australian Medical Council (AMC) exam has two parts. The first part, called the AMC MCQ exam, is done on a computer and has 150 multiple-choice questions. You'll have 3.5 hours to answer them. This part tests how well you know different medical topics. The second part, the AMC clinical exam, is like a real-world test. It checks how good you are at taking care of patients. You'll go through 20 different tasks, including talking to patients, reviewing information, and making diagnoses. This part usually takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes.
USMLE vs PLAB vs AMC: English Language Proficiency
USMLE: To meet the English language proficiency requirement for USMLE, candidates need to achieve a score of 350 in each section of Listening, Reading, and Speaking and 300 in Writing in the OET exam.
PLAB: For PLAB, candidates must attain a score of 7 in each module and an overall score of 7.5 in the IELTS Academic version or achieve a grade of B in each module of the OET exam.
AMC: Candidates aiming for the AMC exam must obtain a score of 7 in each module and an overall score of 7 in the IELTS Academic version or achieve a grade of B in each module of the OET exam. Alternatively, candidates can fulfil the English language proficiency requirement by scoring 65 in each module and an overall score of 65 in the PTE Academic exam.
AMC vs PLAB vs USMLE
| Criteria | AMC (Australia) | PLAB (UK) | USMLE (USA) |
| Number of Steps | 2 (MCQ + Clinical / or WBA pathway) | 2 (PLAB 1 + PLAB 2) | 3 (Step 1 + Step 2 CK + Step 3) |
| Exam Format | MCQ + Clinical exam (OSCE-style) | MCQ + OSCE | MCQ (Step 1 & 2 CK) + Clinical management (Step 3) |
| Difficulty Level | Easy - Moderate | Moderate | High |
| Approx. Exam Fees | ~INR 3.5–4.5 lakh | ~INR 1.3–1.6 lakh | ~INR 2–2.5 lakh (exam fees only) |
| Total Pathway Cost | ~INR 5–8 lakh | ~INR 2–4 lakh | ~INR 8–15 lakh+ |
| Time to Practice (typical IMG path) | ~1–3 years | ~1–2 years | ~3–7 years |
| Exam Locations | MCQ globally; Clinical in Australia | PLAB 1 in many countries; PLAB 2 in UK | Step 1 & 2 worldwide; Step 3 in USA |
| Attempt Limit | No clearly fixed universal cap | 4 attempts + possible 5th attempt with GMC approval | 4 attempts per Step |
| Post-exam Route | Internship/registration in Australia | GMC registration → NHS jobs | Residency match (USMLE ≠ license alone) |
Salary Comparison: What Do Indian Doctors Actually Earn?
The numbers look great on paper, but what you actually take home depends a lot on where you are in your career.
In Australia, entry-level resident doctors start at around AUD 80,000 a year. With experience, that climbs to AUD 1,50,000–2,00,000, and specialists regularly cross AUD 3,00,000. Rural postings come with extra incentives on top of that.
In the UK, a Foundation Year 1 doctor earns around £38,831 as a base salary. Add night shifts, weekends, and on-call supplements and you are closer to £45,000–48,000 in hand. Consultants earn between £1,09,725 and £1,45,478.
In the US, residents earn USD 60,000–70,000 during training. Once you are through, the ceiling is the highest of all three – primary care attendings average USD 2,65,000 and specialists can go well beyond that.
The US has the highest earning potential, but it takes the longest to get there. Australia gives you a strong salary much faster, which is why most Indian doctors find it the better deal overall.
PR and Immigration: Where Is It Actually Easier to Settle?
Most Indian doctors are not just looking for a job, they want to build a life abroad. Here is how each country stacks up.
Australia is the most straightforward. Doctors fall under the highest priority tier in the skilled migration system, and the Subclass 189 visa gives you permanent residency without needing employer sponsorship. Processing is relatively fast, and once you have PR, you can live and work anywhere in the country.
The UK is doable but slower. You can work on a skilled worker visa after GMC registration, but permanent residency (ILR) only comes after five continuous years. It is a longer wait with more conditions.
The US is the hardest. Most IMGs come in on an H-1B or J-1 visa tied to a specific employer or programme. The Green Card queue for Indian nationals can stretch over a decade. High salaries, yes – but the immigration uncertainty is real and worth factoring in.
For doctors who want to settle with family and not spend years in visa limbo, Australia is the clear winner.
Work-Life Balance and Family Life
Australia – regulated working hours, good schools, safe neighbourhoods, and a large Indian community. For doctors with families, it is genuinely one of the best places to land.
The UK – decent quality of life, especially outside London. But junior doctor years can be gruelling, and NHS workload pressures are well documented. London is expensive relative to what you earn early on.
The US – residency is hard. 60–80 hour weeks are normal, and the pressure does not disappear after training either. If you want cutting-edge medicine and the highest rewards, the US delivers – but it asks a lot in return.
So Which Pathway Is Right for You?
Choose AMC if you want to settle abroad within 3–5 years, want a strong salary without waiting a decade, and value quality of life alongside career growth. Australia needs doctors, the PR pathway is clear, and the AMC is manageable with the right preparation.
Choose PLAB if you want the most affordable and fastest route to starting work abroad. The UK is a great place to train, and PLAB gets you there without the financial burden of USMLE. But remember, it is hard to get job right now in UK.
Choose USMLE if you are willing to invest 5–7 years for the highest possible rewards. It is the hardest path, but a US-licensed doctor has credentials recognised almost everywhere in the world.
NZREX: The Fourth Option Most Indian Doctors Don’t Know About
Most Indian doctors weighing their options abroad think about three countries – the US, UK, and Australia. New Zealand rarely comes up in that conversation, but it should.
The New Zealand Registration Examination, or NZREX Clinical, is conducted by the Medical Council of New Zealand and is the licensing exam for IMGs who want to practise medicine in New Zealand. Unlike the other three pathways, NZREX is purely a clinical OSCE, there is no written MCQ component. The exam is held three times a year, but only in Auckland.
One thing to know upfront: to be eligible for NZREX, you must have already passed a recognised licensing exam, such as AMC Part 1, USMLE Steps 1 and 2, or PLAB Part 1 – within the last five years. So it is not a standalone first step. It works as an add-on if you have already started another pathway.
The total NZREX fee is NZD 5,531 (approximately INR 2.87 lakh), covering both the application and examination fee. Add English proficiency tests and travel to Auckland, and the total cost goes up from there.
On the career side, the average salary for a registered doctor in New Zealand is around NZD 1,20,000 per year and most doctors recover their entire investment within just a few months of starting work.
New Zealand is a good fit if you want a smaller, less competitive environment, already have AMC or USMLE credentials under your belt, and are drawn to a high quality of life without the intensity of the US system or the bureaucratic weight of the NHS.
Choosing the Right Exam
The best licensing exam for you will depend on several factors, including:
Desired country of practice: Where do you want to practise medicine? The USMLE is required for practising medicine in the United States, the PLAB is required for practising medicine in the United Kingdom, and the AMC is required for practising medicine in Australia.
Career goals: What are your career goals? If you want to specialise in a particular field of medicine, you may need to take an additional exam in addition to the licensing exam.
Financial resources: The cost of taking a licensing exam can vary depending on the exam and the number of times you need to take it.
Conclusion
Choosing between USMLE, PLAB, and AMC is a significant decision for international medical graduates seeking licensure in the US, UK, or Australia. Understanding the nuances of each exam, including content, eligibility, and pathway to licensure, is crucial for making an informed decision. By considering career goals, eligibility criteria, preparation, timeline, and cost, aspiring medical professionals can navigate the process effectively and take the first step toward practising medicine internationally.
If you wish to start your journey to medical licensure in any of these countries, Academically offers comprehensive preparation courses that will help you crack the exams on your first attempt.
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