USCIS DOCTORS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield USCIS DOCTORS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. For which population is a chest X-ray required as part of the tuberculosis evaluation during immigration exams? → Applicants aged 15 and older with a positive TST or IGRA
2. Which document provides the authoritative guidelines that civil surgeons must follow when performing immigration medical examinations? → USCIS Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons
3. What is the primary role of a General Civil Surgeon? → Performing immigration medical exams
4. A past history of drug abuse that is now in full sustained remission should be documented as which class on Form I-693? → Class B – Drug Abuse, in Remission
5. If an applicant has a contraindication to MMR vaccine, what must the civil surgeon do? → Document the contraindication on Form I-693 and note why the vaccine was not given
6. Which part of Form I-693 addresses mental disorders and substance abuse history? → Part 5 – Mental Disorders and Substance Abuse
7. Where are Panel Physicians usually located? → In designated clinics in the applicant's home country
8. Who designates Designated Physicians? → USCIS
9. Which laboratory tests are required to be documented in Part 3 of Form I-693? → Syphilis serology (RPR or VDRL)
10. How must a completed Form I-693 be handled by the civil surgeon before being given to the applicant? → Sealed in an envelope and signed across the seal by the civil surgeon
11. What serologic test can substitute for MMR vaccination if a civil surgeon suspects prior immunity? → Measles, mumps, and rubella IgG antibody titers
12. What must the mental health evaluation during the immigration medical exam assess for? → Physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior, and substance abuse
13. Which federal law requires USCIS to mandate vaccinations for immigration medical exams? → Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
14. Civil Surgeons perform immigration medical exams for which form? → Form I-693
15. Under USCIS immigration law, which of the following would NOT be a Class A mental health condition? → Generalized anxiety disorder with no history of harmful behavior
16. Which document accompanies Form I-693 when a civil surgeon finds a Class B condition? → A written medical follow-up recommendation or notation on the form itself
17. What is the primary role of a Panel Physician? → Conduct immigration medical examinations for applicants
18. What follow-up is required after an immigration applicant is treated for Class A syphilis before their case is adjudicated? → Documentation of completed treatment and follow-up serologic testing to confirm response
19. What must a civil surgeon document on Form I-693 if an applicant refuses a required vaccination? → Note the refusal and the reason, and advise the applicant to obtain a waiver
20. What action should a civil surgeon take if they discover they made an error on a sealed Form I-693? → Complete a new Form I-693 with the corrected information and re-seal it
21. At what age does pediatric care typically begin? → At birth
22. At what age does gonorrhea testing become required during immigration medical exams? → 15 years and older
23. Can an applicant review their completed Form I-693 before it is sealed by the civil surgeon? → Yes, the applicant has the right to review and ask questions before sealing
24. Who retains the original completed Form I-693 — the civil surgeon, the applicant, or USCIS? → The applicant retains and submits it to USCIS
25. What notation must the civil surgeon include when documenting a finding of active tuberculosis disease on Form I-693? → Class A – Tuberculosis, Active Disease, with supporting diagnostic results
26. Which section of Form I-693 records the results of the tuberculosis evaluation? → Part 4 – Tuberculosis (TB) Evaluation
27. Which government agency grants civil surgeon designation to physicians in the United States? → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
28. How do Pediatricians typically approach treatment? → By considering the family and social context
29. Which communicable diseases are classified as 'quarantinable diseases' by executive order and are automatically Class A for immigration? → Cholera, plague, smallpox, yellow fever, and viral hemorrhagic fevers
30. Which type of documentation may a civil surgeon request to verify an applicant's identity before conducting the immigration medical exam? → Government-issued photo identification such as a passport or state ID