USMLE Registration

The three-step United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, is required to receive a medical license in the United States. In response to the requirement for a single route to medical license for allopathic physicians in the US, the exam was developed to assess a physician's application abilities after finishing theoretical education. This examination program is owned by two non-profit organizations that represent state boards throughout the United States and its territories: the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners.

There are three steps in this test's method. In evaluating the preparedness required to obtain a medical license, each of these three USMLE test processes enhances the other two. None of these three steps can be completed on its own. Committees of physicians, educators, and biomedical scientists from across the United States have designed the examination's content.

Eligibility for Registering for USMLE

The requirements for taking the USMLE are different from the test's steps. The eligibility requirements for every step are listed below.

Eligibility for STEP 1 and STEP 2

The candidate must fall into one of the following categories on the day of the examination and when they apply.

• A medical student who is officially enrolled in or has graduated from a US or Canadian medical school program leading to an MD degree accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
• A medical student who is officially enrolled in or has graduated from a US medical school leading to a DO degree accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA).
• A medical student who is officially enrolled in or has graduated from a medical school outside of the US and Canada that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements and other criteria.

Eligibility for STEP 3

• The candidate needs to pass the USMLE's Steps 1 and 2.
• The candidate must graduate from a medical school and hold an MD or DO degree from the accredited school listed in the eligibility requirements for Step 1 and Step 2.
• It is strongly recommended that the candidate has finished or is nearly finished with the first year of postgraduate study in an approved US graduate medical education program.

NOTE- Graduates from unaccredited medical schools in the US or Canada who are qualified for initial US medical licensing authority licensure as physicians may only take the USMLE if the US medical licensing authority specifically requests that they be sponsored to the USMLE Secretariat before they apply for each Step.

USMLE Registration Process

Each of the three USMLE stages has a different registration procedure. To register for the various test days, students must follow the instructions below.

• STEP 1 and STEP 2 CK: The NBME website provides instructions for applying for Steps 1 and 2 CK for students and graduates of medical schools inside the United States and Canada that are accredited by either COCA or LCME. On the other hand, students and graduates of medical schools outside of the United States and Canada that are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools should follow the steps on the ECFMG website to apply for Steps 1 and 2 CK.
• STEP 3: The third step of the test is only administered in the United States and its territories. Therefore, graduates of medical schools inside of the US, its territories, and Canada who satisfy the ECFMG eligibility standards and are listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools should apply for Step 3 by following the guidelines on the FSMB website.

USMLE Test Dates

Step 1 and Step 2 CK are administered internationally whereas Step 3 is only administered inside the US and its territories. All the steps are administered at Prometric Centers. To register for the test, students must adhere to the instructions on the NBME, ECFMG, or FSMB websites. Students should follow the instructions below to identify the test centers closest to them and the available dates.

• STEP 1: Students must go to the Prometric website and use the menu on the left to find the step they wish to apply for. Next, select the step and click the "Locate" option.
• STEP 2: Following that, students will be directed to a new tab where they must choose their language in the upper right corner, the step of the test, and the USMLE option under the "Select a Test" menu and click on "next".
• STEP 3: The next step requires students to input their Zip/Postal code or the name of the city in which they wish to take the test. Subsequently, the students will need to decide on the test's start and end date and click "next".
• STEP 4: Following that, a list of the city's exam locations and dates will be given to the students. After that, students can choose the best date for them and make an appointment on that day. Students can change the distance from miles to kilometers or change the "Sort By" option to "First Appointment Available" in order to modify the settings.

Students who successfully register will receive an email with a scheduling permit and information about their eligibility terms. After receiving the scheduling permit, students can choose a test date by visiting the Prometric website. It might not be possible to schedule more than six months in advance.

Cost of Taking USMLE

The cost of taking different steps of USMLE is as follows:

Step	Fees (U.S., its territories and Canada)	Fees (Outside U.S. and Canada)
Step 1	$680	$1,020 + $205*
Step 2 CK	$680	$1,020 + $230*
Step 3	$935	NA

* Students taking the USMLE outside the United States, its territories, or Canada are subject to this international surcharge.

Other costs related to USMLE in the US and Canada

Service	Fees
Extension of Eligibility period	$70 per exam
Step 3 Score Recheck	$80

Other costs related to USMLE outside the US and Canada

Service	Fees
Extension of Eligibility period	$100 per exam
Step 1/Step 2 CK Testing Region Change	$90 per region change
Step 1/Step 2 CK score recheck	$80 per exam
ECFMG Exam Chart	$50 per form
ECFMG CSA History Chart	$50 per form
USMLE Transcript - Electronic Transmission for ERAS	$80 per ERAS season

USMLE strongly suggests that rechecking the score does not yield a different result. The cost for score recheck is non-refundable.

Requesting for Additional Break Time

The computer tracks the time allotted for each block and breaks during the student's test session, which is set for a certain duration. A total of 45 minutes is set aside for approved breaks and computer transitions between blocks. Nevertheless, this break time may be extended for medical reasons, such as nursing or breastfeeding. To seek an extra break, submit an application form either before or after registering for a Step exam. Examinees must bear in mind that Step 2 becomes a two-day exam and Step 3 a three-day exam if they take an extra break.

Rescheduling/Cancelling USMLE

Students must go to the Prometric website, select the "Reschedule/Cancel" option, and then follow the instructions to postpone or cancel their test day appointment. During their eligibility period, candidates may reschedule; however, if they do so 45 calendar days or less before their planned appointment, they will be charged a fee. Candidates should get in touch with the company that enrolled them for their exam to ask about a one-time, continuous eligibility period extension if they are unable to take the test within the allotted time. This service is provided for a price. Candidates must reapply by sending in a fresh application along with the required fee(s) if they choose not to take the exam during their initial or extended eligibility term.

Date of changing appointment	Fees for U.S. and Canada			Fees for Outside U.S. and Canada
	STEP 1	STEP 2 CK	STEP 3	STEP 1	STEP 2 CK	STEP 3
46 or more days before the first day of the scheduled test date	No fees	No fees	No fees	No fees	No fees	No fees
31-45 days and before the first day of the scheduled test date	$35	$35	$35	$35	$35	$35
6-30 days before the first day of the scheduled test date	$100	$100	$100	$100	$100	$100
5 or fewer days before the first day of the scheduled test date	$140	$157	$279*	$358	$403	NA

*A reduced cost of $140 is charged if the candidate is not rescheduling all of their test days.