::USMLE Step 1 & Step 2

Important: For a USMLE exam, the examinee must present one form of non-expired, government-issued, photo- and signature-bearing ID in order to test. Examinee must present his/her Scheduling Permit as well.

If the primary ID does not have a signature, the examinee must present a form of non-expired, signature ID. Acceptable forms of primary ID include Driver's license, Military ID, Passport, Alien Registration card, National ID card, ECFMG Identification card. Acceptable forms of signature ID only include School ID card, Employee ID card and Credit card.

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States.

Steps 1 & 2 are conducted at all our USEFP testing centers. Step-3 is conducted within USA and its territories. Each of the three Steps complements the others.

Step One assesses whether you understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy. Step 1 ensures mastery of not only the sciences that provide a foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine in the present, but also the scientific principles required for maintenance of competence through lifelong learning. Step 1 is constructed according to an integrated content outline that organizes basic science material along two dimensions: system and process. The exam takes 8 hours and is administered in 7 one-hour blocks over the course of a day. Step Two assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Step 2 ensures that due attention is devoted to principles of clinical sciences and basic patient-centered skills that provide the foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine. The test takes nine hours, and is administered in 8 one-hour blocks over the course of a day.

Application, Registration and Scheduling

Students and graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada can apply for Step 1 and Step 2 by following the instructions at the ECFMG website (http://www.ecfmg.org). Review and follow the application instructions, complete your application, and submit it to the ECFMG.

For Step 1 and 2 students and graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada should contact ECFMG.

OBTAINING AN ELIGIBILITY PERIOD FOR STEP 1 AND STEP 2

registration entity processes your application and determines your eligibility. The Scheduling Permit specifies the three-month eligibility period during which you must complete the examination. During peak periods, allow up to approximately four weeks for processing of your application. After obtaining your Scheduling Permit, you are able to contact Prometric immediately to schedule a test date. Prometric schedules testing appointments for Steps 1 and 2 CK up to six months in advance. SCHEDULING STEP 1 & STEP 2 Your Scheduling Permit will be issued to you when the processing of your application is complete. You should verify the information on your Scheduling Permit before scheduling your appointment. Your Scheduling Permit includes the following:

• your name
• the examination for which you registered,
• your eligibility period,
• your testing region,
• your Scheduling Number,
• your Candidate Identification Number (CIN)

When scheduling you will be, you will be required to provide information found only on your Scheduling Permit. When you schedule your appointment, you will receive the following specific information:

the confirmed test day(s), date(s), and time the address and telephone number of the Prometric Test Center where you will test; and your Prometric Confirmation Number(s). After you schedule your testing appointment, you can print a confirmation of your appointment from the Prometric website. Scheduling a testing appointment for a specific date at a Prometric Test Center is not a guarantee that the scheduled test time or

Rescheduling or Cancelling Test Dates

If you are unable to keep your testing appointment on the scheduled date(s) or at the scheduled location, you may change your date(s) or center by following the instructions on your Scheduling Permit for contacting Prometric. You will need to provide your Prometric Confirmation Number when you reschedule.

To avoid a rescheduling fee, you must cancel or reschedule your appointment at least five business days before your appointment. If you are testing outside the United States or Canada, you must cancel or reschedule by noon local time of the Regional Registration Center for your testing region at least five business days before your appointment. If you provide less than five business days' notice, Prometric will charge you a fee to reschedule your test date(s).

There is no fee to cancel a scheduled testing appointment; the fee, if applicable, is due at the time of rescheduling.

• If you cancel more than 14 calendar days before (but not including) your scheduled test date, there is no fee to reschedule.
• If you cancel during the 14-day period before (but not including) your scheduled test date, your fee will be $150 when you reschedule.
• If you miss your scheduled testing appointment without canceling, your fee will be $400 when you reschedule.

If you are unable to keep your scheduled testing appointment, you should cancel your appointment as soon as possible to avoid a rescheduling fee, regardless of whether you are ready to reschedule.

Note: Your rescheduled test date(s) must fall within your assigned eligibility period.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for steps 1 and 2, you must be in one of the following categories at the time of application and on the test day:

• a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US or Canadian medical school
• program leading to the MD degree that is accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical
• Education (LCME)
• a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US medical school leading to the
• DO degree that is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) or
• a medical student officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school outside the United
• States and Canada and eligible for examination by the ECFMG.
• If you have been dismissed from medical school, you are not eligible for USMLE, even if you are appealing the school’s decision to dismiss you.

TIME LIMIT AND NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS ALLOWED TO COMPLETE ALL STEPS

Although there is no limit on the total number of times you can retake a Step or Step Component you have not passed, the USMLE program recommends to medical licensing authorities that they: require the dates of passing the Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 examinations to occur within a seven-year period; and allow no more than six attempts to pass each Step or Step Component without demonstration of additional educational experience acceptable to the medical licensing authority.

If you fail or do not complete a Step or Step Component and want to retake it, you must reapply by submitting a new application and fee.

• For the computer-based examinations (Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3), you may take the failed or incomplete examination no more than four times within a 12-month period.
• For Step 2 CS, you may take the failed or incomplete evaluation no more than three times within a 12-month period.

If you pass a Step or Step Component, you are not allowed to retake it, except to comply with the time limit of a medical licensing authority for the completion of all Steps or a requirement imposed by another authority recognized by the USMLE program for this purpose.

An exception to the policy of requiring the time limit to expire before applying to retake a previously passed Step or Step Component can be granted if, at the time of application and testing:

• you are currently enrolled in an LCME- or AOA accredited medical school program leading to the MD or DO degree;
• you have previously passed Step 1 and/or Step 2 but have not passed Step 3;
• you are expected to graduate from the medical school program six or more years after the date you first passed Step 1 and/or Step 2; and
• you are otherwise eligible to retake the examination.

Minimum Passing Scores on USMLE Step Examinations

The requirements for passing the USMLE Step examinations are reviewed periodically. Notice of such reviews and the results of these reviews will be posted to the USMLE website.

There are two scales on which USMLE results are reported, a three-digit scale and a two-digit scale. On the three-digit scale, the current minimum passing scores are as follows: *

On the two-digit scale, the minimum passing score is always a 75.

Your score report includes a pass/fail designation, numerical scores, and graphical performance profiles summarizing areas of strength and weakness to aid in self-assessment. These profiles are developed solely for your benefit and will not be reported or verified to any third party. Results for computer-based examinations are typically available within three to four weeks after your test date. However, delays are possible for various reasons. In selecting your test date and inquiring about results, you should allow at least eight weeks to receive notification that your score report is available.

OFFICIAL USMLE TRANSCRIPTS AND PROVIDING SCORES TO THIRD PARTIES

To obtain your USMLE transcript or have it sent to a third party, you must contact the ECFMG, FSMB, or NBME. Which entity you contact depends on which examinations you have taken and where you want your transcript sent. Contact the FSMB if you want your transcript sent to a medical licensing authority at any time. If you have not registered for or taken Step 3 and want your transcript sent to anyone other than a medical licensing authority, the request should be sent to the last entity that registered you.

Note: There is an additional surcharge of $140 (on Step 1) and $ 155 (on Step2) for candidates of the Asian region.

How to Make a Payment

When applying for an exam or service:

• If you apply on-line, you will be prompted to pay on-line (credit card or electronic check).
• If you submit a paper form:
  • Pay by credit card or check by completing the payment form that accompanies the application and returning it with the application.
  • Make an advance, on-line payment (credit card or electronic check) using OASIS.

To make a payment to your ECFMG financial account without applying for an exam or service:

• Access OASIS.
• Complete Form 900 and submit it to ECFMG, following the instructions on the form.

EXAMINEES WITH DISABILITIES REQUESTING TEST ACCOMMODATIONS

The USMLE program provides reasonable accommodations for examinees with disabilities who are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADA). If you are a disabled individual covered under the ADA and require test accommodations, the following guidelines apply to you:

• You must obtain information regarding procedures and documentation requirements in advance of applying for each Step or Step Component. This information is available from the USMLE website.


• Your application and your request for accommodations and accompanying documentation must be submitted at the same time to the appropriate addresses. All documentation received with your request will be audited, and you will be contacted if additional information is needed. Processing may take up to eight weeks from the date sufficient documentation of the impact of your reported impairment is received.


• When test accommodations are granted for USMLE Steps and Step Components, score reports and transcripts may include an annotation that an accommodation was granted. Score recipients who inquire about the annotation will be provided with information about the nature of the accommodation only.

For disability services contact: disabilityservices@nbme.org

Preparing for the Tests:

SAMPLE TEST MATERIALS
The best preparation for the USMLE is a general, thorough review of the content reflected in the examination descriptions available on the USMLE website or from your registration entity and run the sample test materials available on the USMLE website or on the 2010 USMLE compact disc (CD). The 2010 USMLE CD is available through your registration entity

PRACTICING WITH THE SOFTWARE
You should acquaint yourself with the test software well before your test date(s). Practice time is not available on the test day, and test center staff is not authorized to provide instruction on use of the software.

Sample test materials to practice with the software (both multiple-choice questions and Primum CCS cases) are available at the USMLE website.

Contact:

NBME
Examinee Support Services

3750 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-3190

Telephone: (215) 590-9700

FAX: (215) 590-9457

E-mail: webmail@nbme.org

If testing outside USA and Canada contact:

ECFMG

Prometric Testing

ECFMG Telephone Number: 1-215-386-5900

Prometric Registration Center Number: 00603376283333

www.usmle.org or USMLE General FAQs