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Getting Started with USMLE

International medical students and graduates must have an account with FSMB AND an accepted Application for ECFMG Certification before you can apply for your first USMLE Step exam. Follow the instructions below to get started.

Creating an Account with FSMB

  1. Go to FSMB’s USMLE portal: https://usmle.fsmb.org/
  2. Click the Log In button at the bottom of the page or the Log in link in the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. Click the “Sign up now” link (under the Sign in button).
  4. Enter a username, password and email address and then click on the “Send verification code” button.
  5. The verification code will be sent to the email address you entered. Once you have the verification code, log in using the username and password you entered.
  6. You will be asked to provide the following information:
  • First name
  • Last name (If you only have one name, you should enter it in the Last name field, even if it is not your surname or family name; you should enter FNU in the first name field.)
  • Date of birth
  • A numeric identifier – we recommend inputting your USMLE ID (if you already have one) and your MyInteatlh ID (if you don’t already have a MyInteatlh ID, we strongly recommend that you start that process as soon as possible).
  1. If the system is not able to find you in the FSMB database based on the information you provided, you will be asked to verify your information and to provide additional information:
  • Medical school
  • Alternate names, if applicable
  • U.S. license information, if applicable
  1. The system will again attempt to find you based on this expanded information.
  2. If the system is successful in finding you, you will be able to log into FSMB’s USMLE portal using your FSMB account information.
  3. If the system is still unable to find you in the FSMB database, you will be asked to complete an identity verification process, which requires you to provide an identity document (e.g., passport, driver's license) and conduct a liveliness selfie. This identity verification must be manually reviewed by FSMB staff, which may take several days. You will receive an email once your identity verification is approved or if additional information is needed.

Applying for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK

For international medical students and graduates, the USMLE program collates with Intealth (ECFMG) to verify medical school enrollment, graduation and/or ECFMG Certification status, as required, as part of the USMLE eligibility verification process for each Step application. This means that your eligibility for ECFMG certification must be determined before you can register for a Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam.

To be able to access the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK applications, you must pass the following two eligibility verification checks:

  • Identity Match with Intealth. Your identifying information with FSMB and Intealth must match.
  • Initial Eligibility Verification with Intealth. You must have an accepted Application for ECFMG Certification. 

Follow the instructions below to start the USMLE application process. 

  1. Go to FSMB’s USMLE portal: https://usmle.fsmb.org/
  2. Click the Log In button at the bottom of the page or the Log in link in the upper right corner of the screen.
  3. This will take you to your FSMB account log in page. Log in using your username and password (or follow the instructions for setting up an FSMB account provided immediately above).
  4. You will be taken back to FSMB’s USMLE portal.
  5. The initial page you see will be for the USMLE Eligibility Verification process.
  6. The system will first conduct the Identity Match check with Intealth.
  • If the match is successful, the portal will automatically then conduct the initial eligibility verification check with Intealth.
  • If the match is unsuccessful, the portal will provide you with an error message that provides instructions for how to proceed. The issue must be resolved before you can attempt the Identity Match again.
  1. Go to FSMB’s USMLE portal: https://usmle.fsmb.org/
  • If the match is successful, the system will provide you with access to the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK applications.
  • If the match is unsuccessful, the portal will provide you with an error message that provides instructions for how to proceed. The issue must be resolved before you can attempt the Initial Eligibility Verification check again.
  1. If you successfully complete the Identity Match and Initial Eligibility Verification checks, the portal will allow you access to the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK applications.
  • The screen will show you three tabs – one for each Step exam. You will see the Step 3 tab even if you have not yet taken and passed Step 1 and Step 2 CK.
  1. You can now apply for Step 1 or Step 2 CK by clicking on the appropriate tab.
  • You can apply for and take Step 1 and Step 2 CK in any order.
  • You can apply for Step 1 and Step 2 CK on the same day; however, they must be completed, paid for, and submitted separately. 
  1. FSMB will send you emails throughout the application approval process – e.g., if there is an issue verifying your medical school enrollment (for students only), when your application has been approved; however, you can check the status of your Step applications and score reports at any time by logging into the FSMB USMLE portal. 
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