USMLE Exam 2025 Step 1, 2 and 3 – Dates, Fees, Centers, Pattern, Result

Step

USMLE Eligibility Criteria

Step 1

The medical student or graduate must be enrolled in, or a graduate of, a medical school that is located outside the US or Canada and is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements;

In addition, any other ECFMG criteria also have to be fulfilled.

Other mentionable:

1. The applicant must meet eligibility requirements at the time of application and also on the exam day.

2. Such applicants who have been dismissed or has withdrawn from medical school, isn't eligible for USMLE, irrespective of whether the applicant is appealing the decision or is otherwise contesting the status.

Step

USMLE Eligibility Criteria

Steps 2 CK

The applicant must be admitted to, or should be a graduate of, a medical school which is:

1. Located outside the US or Canada

2. Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements;

The applicant also has to fulfil ECFMG criteria as may be prescribed.

Other details:

1. The eligibility criteria has to be satisfied at the time of application and on exam day.

2. Such applicants who have been dismissed or have been withdrawn from medical school aren’t eligible to apply for USMLE, irrespective of whether he/she is appealing the decision or is otherwise contesting the status.

USMLE Step

USMLE Eligibility Criteria

STEP 3

To be eligible for USMLE Step 3, the applicant must have completed an MD or an equivalent degree from a medical school that is located outside the US or Canada, which is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG eligibility requirements.

Apart from this, the applicant must:

1. Passed Step 1, Step 2 CK

2. Have ECFMG certification

Other Information:

Must meet eligibility requirements before applying and on test day.

Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 2 CS

Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 2 CS

Step 3

For students / graduates of LCME-or AOA-accredited medical programs in the US or Canada:

For students / graduates of medical schools located outside the US and Canada:

All medical school graduates who have passed Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS:

Apply through NBME on NLES (NBME Licensing Examination Services)

Apply through ECFMG on IWA (Interactive Web Applications)

Apply through FSMB. 

USMLE Component

USMLE Fees 2024

Application for ECFMG Certification

US $150

USMLE Step 1

US $975  - Examination Fee + International Test Delivery Surcharge, if testing outside the United States and Canada

USMLE Step 2 CK

US $975 - Examination Fee + International Test Delivery Surcharge, if testing outside the United States and Canada

USMLE Step 2 CS

US $1,600 - Examination Fee

USMLE Step 3

US $895

Extension of Eligibility Period (for Step 1/Step 2 CK)

US $90 per exam

Testing Region Change (for Step 1/Step 2 CK )

US $85 per region change

Rescheduling Fee (for Step 1/Step 2 CK)

US $0 – $604 (depending on exam, testing region, and  USMLE dates 2024 of cancellation)

Rescheduling Fee (for Step 2 CS)

US $0 – $1,300 (depending on USMLE dates 2024 of cancellation)

Score Recheck (for Step 1/Step 2 CK/Step 2 CS)

US $80 per exam

Step and purpose

Format

Length

It accesses a candidate’s

understanding of and ability to apply important concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy

There will be around 280 MCQs, split over seven 60-minute blocks

The mode of exam will be Computer-based and will be administered at Prometric test centres across the world

Single day test

Duration of test: Around

eight hours

Step component and purpose

Format

Length

Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) 

Tests the candidate’s ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision, with an emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.

Around 318 multiple-choice questions, divided into eight 60-minute blocks

A computer-based test administered at Prometric test centres.

One-day test

Session

-Approximately

nine hours

Purpose

Test Format

Length

STEP 3 

The step tests the applicant to apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science that are vital in performing unsupervised practice of medicine, with emphasis on patient management in an ambulatory setting.

Day 1: FOUNDATIONS OF INDEPENDENT PRACTICE (FIP) assesses the examinee’s knowledge of basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective health care.

Day 2: ADVANCED CLINICAL MEDICINE (ACM) assesses the examinee’s ability to apply comprehensive knowledge of health and disease in the context of patient management and the evolving manifestation of disease over time.

Day 1 FIP:

Approximately 232 MCQs, divided into six 60-minute blocks.

Computer-based test (CBT) administered at Prometric test centers in the US

Day 2 ACM:

Approximately 180 MCQs, divided into six 45-minute blocks.

Thirteen computer-based case simulations (CCS). Each simulation is 10 to 20 minutes of real-time.

Computer-based test, administered at Prometric test centres in the US

One-day test

session

-approximately

seven hours

One-day test session

-approximately

nine hours

USMLE Component

Minimum Pass Marks

USMLE Step 1

Pass

USMLE Step 2 CK

206

USMLE Step 3

196