Eligibility requirements for the USMLE Step 3 examination include:
- Passing scores on Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge; AND
- An MD or DO degree from an LCME- or COCA-accredited medical school in the U.S. or Canada, or an MD-equivalent degree from a medical school outside the U.S. and Canada that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools that meets ECFMG eligibility requirements and hold a current, unexpired ECFMG Certification at the time of application and examination; AND
- Meeting all other eligibility criteria listed in the current USMLE Bulletin of Information.
For new and upcoming graduates: Do not apply for Step 3 until after your graduation date as printed on your diploma. If you apply prior to graduation, your application will be canceled, and a portion of the fee will be forfeited.
It can take up to 12 weeks after you graduate for the FSMB to verify your graduation with your medical school. Please keep this in mind when selecting your eligibility period, as no free extensions are granted for the eligibility period you selected.
Please contact us prior to applying to find out if your graduation has been verified. You can reach us at (817) 868-4041 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Central Time) or [email protected].
Apply for Step 3 here: Apply for Step 3 here.
New users: You must create an account to access the application. Returning users who have forgotten their password: Your best option is to create a new account rather than use the “forgot password?” option. There is no limit to the number of “accounts” you can create, and staff cannot view or reset your username or password.
A Step 3 Certification of Identity form (CID) is required for all applications unless an approved CID is already on file with the FSMB and is no more than five years old.
Processing time from submission of your application (including fee and CID) to scheduling permit issuance is approximately two weeks (7-10 business days). Processing may be delayed if there are issues with your application or CID. The FSMB will email you regarding any identified issues.
You can check the status of your application, scheduling permit, and Step 3 score report at any time by logging in to the Step 3 website.
An email address must be provided on your Step 3 application. The FSMB uses this email address to notify you of issues with your Step 3 application (e.g., incomplete CID, name issues), when your application is approved, when your scheduling permit is available, and when your score report is available. Failure to receive emails will not be accepted for requests for refunds, free extensions, or free USMLE transcripts.
By submitting a Step 3 application, you are confirming that you have read the Bulletin of Information, are familiar with its contents, and agree to abide by the policies and procedures described within.
If you are testing in 2024, you are responsible for reviewing the 2024 Bulletin.
If you are testing in 2025, you are responsible for reviewing the 2025 Bulletin.
The Step 3 examination fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable from one eligibility period to another or from one application to another. The fee must be paid via American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. You can view the current fees here.
We cannot change the eligibility period you selected 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 the entire application fee. If your application has not yet been approved, you will receive a partial refund of the application fee (we will refund your fee, less a $100 processing fee).
For a later eligibility period: You can either 1) submit an eligibility period extension request, which must be submitted no later than 25 days after the end of your chosen eligibility period and will begin immediately following the end of your eligibility period, or 2) cancel your application and submit a new application and fee. Instructions for submitting an eligibility period extension request are available here. If you choose to cancel your application, please note that if your application has already been approved, you will forfeit the entire application fee. If your application has not yet been approved, you will receive a partial refund of the application fee (we will refund your fee, less a $100 processing fee).
To cancel your application, you must submit a request in writing (email) to [email protected]. If you cancel your application after it has been approved, you will forfeit the entire application fee. If you cancel your application before it has been approved, you will receive a partial refund of the application fee (less a $100 processing fee).
If you require test accommodations, please be sure to select the appropriate box on the Step 3 application. Requests for test accommodations must be made in writing at the time the Step 3 application is submitted.
Test accommodations for all USMLE Steps are handled by the NBME’s Office of Disability Services. Please visit the Test Accommodations page on the USMLE website for more information and to request accommodations.
As soon as you receive your scheduling permit, please check to ensure that the name on the permit matches the name on the form of identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport) that you plan to bring on your test day. You will not be permitted to test if the names do not match exactly.
If your first and last name on your scheduling permit are incorrect or do not match the identification you plan to bring to the testing center, please contact us immediately at (817) 868-4041 or [email protected]. You must have a printed copy of the permit or be able to access your scheduling permit via the Step 3 website on your test day in order to test.
You must have your scheduling permit before you contact Prometric to schedule your test date. Scheduling permits are not available more than six months prior to the start of your eligibility period. You can schedule and take your two Step 3 test days on consecutive or non-consecutive days. However, Step 3 FIP (“Day 1”) must be taken first, followed by Step 3 ACM (“Day 2”). Your test dates cannot be more than 14 calendar days apart, and you must schedule both test days with Prometric at the same time and at the same center.
When scheduling or rescheduling your test date on the Prometric website, be sure to enter your information (name, Candidate ID) to see the most accurate test center and date availability. If you search the Prometric website for available dates without entering your information, you will see ALL dates that center has ANY available testing appointments (i.e., you will see available dates for any exam, not just USMLE). Just because a center has available dates does not mean it has available dates to accommodate Step 3 Day 1 or Day 2 (i.e., a 7-hour testing day or a 9-hour testing day). Entering your name and Candidate ID will ensure you only see dates that that Prometric center can accommodate your USMLE Step 3 Day 1 and/or Day 2 examination.
Step 3 is not offered during the first two weeks of January. The busiest testing times across the Prometric testing network in the U.S. are May through July and November through December.
Testing appointments are offered 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 date early in your eligibility period to allow for flexibility in case you need to reschedule.
A list of test center closures is available on the Prometric website.
If your test center closes due to inclement weather or other issues and you are unable to test, you must do the following:
- If you have not opened the examination (i.e., not yet taken Day 1), you should first attempt to reschedule your test date by contacting Prometric; you will need to wait 24 hours after receiving closure/cancellation notification from Prometric before doing so to allow the Prometric system time to reset. If you are unable to reschedule after waiting the required 24 hours, or there are other issues, please email the FSMB at [email protected]
- If you have opened either portion of the exam (i.e., started or completed Day 1), email the USMLE Test Administrator at [email protected]
- The email should include: your full name, USMLE ID, test center location, a brief summary of the issue (e.g., center closed due to inclement weather), and ticket number from Prometric, if provided.
Test center closures will be verified directly with Prometric. This takes a few business days. Once the closure is verified, you will be contacted via email with details for rescheduling your test date. A free extension of your eligibility period will be provided, if needed, to allow you time to reschedule.
If you have questions or require assistance, please call us at (817) 868-4041 from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or email us at [email protected].
