Step 2 CK Minimum Scores and Cut-offs by Specialty

Which programs set a Step 2 CK minimum, how high it is, how many are strict about it, and where the minimum is only the passing score.

What the minimum means

These requirements are what programs report to us, not what they apply in every case. "Passing score only" means the program lists nothing above the passing mark. "No minimum listed" means the program states none. A program that lists no minimum can still screen applicants by score when it picks who to interview, so read this guide together with step 2 CK scores that get IMGs interviews, by specialty.

How the minimums are spread

Share of programs by stated Step 2 CK minimum
  • No minimum listed (552)10%
  • Passing score only (2,909)55%
  • 215 to 219 (159)3%
  • 220 to 224 (691)13%
  • 225 to 229 (255)4.8%
  • 230 to 234 (404)7.6%
  • 235 to 239 (107)2%
  • 240 and above (254)4.8%

Minimum scores by specialty

Orthopaedic Surgery has the highest median minimum among specialties with at least 20 programs (235), with 32.2% of its programs stating a real minimum. The median is taken only over programs that state a real minimum.

Specialties with at least 20 programs, sorted by median minimum
SpecialtyProgramsPrograms with a real minimumMedian minimumStrict cut-off
Orthopaedic Surgery20832.2%2356.7%
Public Health and General Preventive Medicine336.1%2336.1%
Anesthesiology18748.7%23026.2%
Dermatology14226.1%2302.1%
Neurological Surgery12230.3%2302.5%
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery13219.7%2303.8%
Surgery36271.3%23040.9%
Urology15231.6%2302.6%
Preventative Medicine248.3%22812.5%
Internal Medicine68250.3%22538.4%
Plastic Surgery4740.4%2252.1%
Psychiatry34524.6%22527.5%
Radiation Oncology8618.6%2253.5%
Radiology-Diagnostic19941.2%22513.6%
Child Neurology8313.3%22010.8%
Emergency Medicine28320.8%22013.4%
Family Medicine79122.6%22046.4%
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics7927.8%22045.6%
Neurology20134.3%22031.3%
Obstetrics and Gynecology30048.3%22029%
Ophthalmology12619%2202.4%
Pathology-Anatomic and Clinical13923%22030.2%
Pediatrics21527%22038.1%
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation11530.4%22016.5%
Transitional Year20046.5%22023.5%
Vascular Surgery - Integrated7838.5%2206.4%
Real minimum means 215 or higher. Strict means the program says it applies the cut-off strictly.

The highest stated minimums

If your score is below these, do not spend an application on them.

The 10 programs with the highest stated Step 2 CK minimum
ProgramSpecialtyStateStep 2 CK minimumIMG medianVisa
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center ProgramNeurologyCA265 (strict)n/aNone listed
Mass General Brigham/Brigham and Women's Hospital ProgramInternal MedicineMA260269J-1, H-1B
Texas Tech University HSC El Paso/Hospitals of Providence Transmountain Campus ProgramPsychiatryTX255n/aNone listed
HCA Florida Healthcare/USF Morsani College of Medicine GME - Tampa North/Trinity Hospital ProgramRadiology-DiagnosticFL253n/aJ-1
Children’s Mercy Hospital ProgramPediatricsMO250 (strict)248J-1, H-1B
Children's Mercy Hospital/University of Kansas Medical Center ProgramChild NeurologyMO250 (strict)n/aJ-1, H-1B
Cook County Health and Hospitals System ProgramDermatologyIL250n/aNone listed
Corewell Health – Grand Rapids/Michigan State University ProgramSurgeryMI250 (strict)n/aJ-1
George Washington University ProgramNeurological SurgeryDC250n/aNone listed
Hackensack Meridian Health ProgramOrthopaedic SurgeryNJ250n/aJ-1

Visa-sponsoring programs with no minimum above passing

3,461 programs (65%) list no minimum above the passing score. These ten sponsor a visa and have the highest IMG share among them. They can still screen by score, so check the interview range too.

Visa-sponsoring programs with no real minimum, highest IMG share first
ProgramSpecialtyStateStep 2 CK minimumIMG 25th percentileIMG shareVisa
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center ProgramFamily MedicinePAPassing only230100%J-1
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health and Hospitals (Elmhurst) ProgramPediatricsNYPassing only235100%J-1
Medical University of South Carolina Regional Network (Florence) ProgramInternal MedicineSCPassing only257100%J-1
AdventHealth Florida (Ocala) ProgramFamily MedicineFLPassing only226100%J-1, H-1B
Ascension St. Vincent Hospital (Milwaukee) ProgramInternal MedicineWIPassing only246100%J-1
BronxCare Health System ProgramObstetrics and GynecologyNYPassing onlyn/a100%J-1, H-1B
Brooklyn Hospital Center ProgramPediatricsNYPassing only228100%J-1
Catholic Health ProgramPediatricsNYPassing only227100%J-1
Catholic Health/St Joseph Hospital ProgramFamily MedicineNYPassing only233100%J-1
Cook County Health and Hospitals System ProgramPediatricsILPassing only235100%J-1, H-1B

How to use this

  • Remove programs whose stated minimum is above your score, especially those marked strict.
  • Do not read "no minimum" as "no screening": compare your score with the interview range as well.
  • Look up your score band in which programs interview IMGs at your Step 2 CK score.
  • Confirm the minimum on the program website before you apply, because requirements change between cycles.

Sources

  • ResidencyPrograms.io program data for the current application cycle, from Residency Explorer (AAMC) and program-reported requirements, refreshed November 4, 2026.
  • Residency Explorer: AAMC.

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