RxPG - CSA Exam - Overview

The Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) examination evaluates ones ability to gather and interpret clinical patient data and communicate effectively in the English language. CSA consists of eleven stations, ten of which are scored; in each station one will encounter a Standardized Patient (SP), a lay person trained to realistically and consistently portray a patient.

The SPs will respond to questions with answers appropriate to the patient being portrayed and will react appropriately to physical maneuvers. One will be expected to proceed through each encounter with an SP as if you would with a real patient.

The CSA/CS exam assesses whether one can obtain a relevant medical history, perform a focused physical exam and compose a written record of the patient encounter. CSA requires that one demonstrate proficiency in spoken English, which will be evaluated by the Standardized Patients encountered in the test stations. The CSA exam is administered only in English.
The date of ones most recent passing performance on the CSA will appear on ones Standard ECFMG Certificate. This CSA date is valid for three years from the date passed for the purpose of entering a program of graduate medical education in the United States. If one's CSA date expires before one enters a U.S. program of graduate medical education, one must revalidate the CSA date before entering such a program. One can revalidate a CSA date by passing a subsequent CSA exam. Once one enters a program of graduate medical education in the United States, the CSA date is no longer subject to expiration, and one may request permanent validation of the CSA date.