USMLE Application

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to take a USMLE Step examination, you must meet all USMLE eligibility requirements at the time you apply AND on the day(s) of your examination.

USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK can be taken in any order, and you can apply for Step 1 and Step 2 CK at the same time.

You must pass Step 1 and Step 2 CK and obtain ECFMG Certification before you can apply for Step 3.

APPLICATION:
Apply for Step 1, Step 2 CK or Step 3 here.

New users: You must create an account with FSMB AND have an approved Application for Certification with ECFMG before you can access a USMLE Step application.

Returning FSMB account user and forgot your username or password: Create a new account using the "Sign up now" link at the bottom of the screen. There is no limit on the number of “accounts” you can create with FSMB, and staff are unable to view or reset your username or password.

You can check the status of your USMLE applications, scheduling permits and score reports at any time by logging into the FSMB USMLE site.

BULLETIN OF INFORMATION:
By submitting a USMLE application, you certify that you have read the Bulletin of Information, are familiar with its contents, and agree to abide by the policies and procedures described therein.

If you test in 2025, you are responsible for reviewing the 2025 Bulletin.

FEES:
USMLE fees are non-refundable and non-transferable from one eligibility period to another or from one application to another. Fees must be paid via American Express, MasterCard or Visa. You can view current fees here.

CHANGING YOUR ELIGIBILITY PERIOD:
We cannot change your chosen eligibility period after your application has been submitted.

To obtain a different eligibility period, you will need to:

For an earlier eligibility period: You must cancel your application and submit a new application and fee. If your application has already been approved, you will forfeit your entire application fee. If your application has not been approved, you will receive a refund of your application fee minus a $100 processing charge.

For a later eligibility period: You can either 1) submit a request for an eligibility extension, which must be submitted no later than 25 days after the end of your chosen eligibility period, or 2) cancel your application and submit a new application and fee. If you choose to cancel your application, please keep in mind that if your application has already been approved, you will forfeit your entire application fee. If your application has not been approved, you will receive a refund of your application fee minus a $100 processing charge.

CANCELLING YOUR APPLICATION:
To cancel your application, you must send a written (email) request to usmle@fsmb.org.

If you cancel your application after it has been approved, you will forfeit your entire application fee.

If you cancel your application before it has been approved, you will receive a refund of your application fee minus a $100 processing fee.

TEST ACCOMMODATIONS:
If you need test accommodations, please be sure to select the appropriate box on each USMLE Step application. Requests for test accommodations must be made in writing at the time each Step application is submitted.

Test accommodations for all USMLE Steps are handled by Disability Services at NBME. Please visit the Test Accommodations page on the USMLE website for more information and to request accommodations.

SCHEDULING PERMIT:
Your scheduling permit will be emailed to you and posted on the FSMB USMLE site.
As soon as you receive your scheduling permit, please check it to make sure the name on the permit matches the name on the identification form (e.g., driver's license, passport) you plan to bring with you on your test day(s). Please review your scheduling permit for details and limited exceptions. You will not be allowed to test if the names do not match exactly.

If your first and last names on your scheduling permit are not correct or do not match the identification form you plan to take to the test center, contact us immediately at (817) 868-4041 or usmle@fsmb.org.

On your test day(s), you can present your scheduling permit either on paper (a printed copy) or electronically (e.g., via your smartphone). It is recommended that you print your permit before your testing day(s) and bring that copy with you, in case you are unable to access your email or the FSMB USMLE site on your testing days and/or have technical problems accessing or printing the permit the day of testing.

If you do not bring your scheduling permit and acceptable identification on each day of your exam, you will not be admitted to the test, and you will be required to pay a fee to reschedule your test. Your rescheduled test date(s) must fall within your eligibility period.

SCHEDULING YOUR EXAM:
You must have your scheduling permit before you contact Prometric to schedule your test date(s). Scheduling permits and the ability to schedule your exam with Prometric are not available more than 6 months prior to the start of your eligibility period.

Test dates are provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and the USMLE program cannot guarantee the availability of test centers. Therefore, you should contact Prometric to schedule as soon as possible after receiving your scheduling permit. You should schedule your test dates early in your eligibility period to provide flexibility in case you need to reschedule. Step 3 scheduling: You can schedule and take your two Step 3 testing days on consecutive or non-consecutive days. However, Step 3 Day 1 must be taken first, followed by Step 3 Day 2. Your exam days may be no more than 14 calendar days apart, and you must schedule both test dates with Prometric at the same time and at the same center.

When scheduling or rescheduling your test dates on the Prometric website, be sure to enter your information (name, candidate ID) in order to see the most accurate test center and date availability. If you search Prometric’s website for open dates without inputting your information, you will see ALL dates where that center has ANY availability for testing (that is, you will see availability for any exams, not just USMLE). Just because a center has availability does not mean that it has availability to accommodate Step 3 Day 1 or Day 2 (i.e., a 7-hour test day or a 9-hour test day). Inputting your name and Candidate ID will ensure you are only seeing dates where that Prometric center can accommodate your USMLE Step 3 Day 1 and/or Day 2 exam.

Step 3 is not offered during the first two weeks of January.

IF YOUR TEST CENTER CLOSES ON YOUR TEST DATE(S):

A listing of test center closures is available on the Prometric website.

If your test center is closed due to inclement weather or other issues and you are not able to test, you must do the following:

If you have not opened the exam at all (or not yet taken Day 1 for Step 3), you should first try to reschedule your test date(s) by contacting Prometric. You will be required to wait 24 hours after receiving the closure/cancellation notification from Prometric before doing this so that the Prometric system has time to reset. If you are unable to reschedule after waiting the required 24 hours or have other issues, please email usmle@fsmb.org
If you have opened any part of the exam (or started or completed Day 1 for Step 3), send an email to USMLE Test Admin at testadmin@nbme.org
The email should include: your full name, USMLE ID, test center location, brief summary of the issue (e.g., center closed due to inclement weather) and the ticket number from Prometric, if provided.

The test center closure will be verified directly with Prometric. This takes several business days. Once the closure is verified, you will be contacted via with email detailed information for rescheduling your test date(s). A free extension of your eligibility period will be provided, if needed, to allow you time to reschedule.

QUESTIONS? NEED ASSISTANCE? Please call us at (817) 868-4041 between 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or email us at usmle@fsmb.org.