Eligibility requirements for the USMLE Step 3 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 listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools that meets ECFMG eligibility requirements, and hold valid and 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 recent and upcoming graduates:
Do not apply for Step 3 until after the graduation date printed on your medical school diploma. If you apply prior to graduation, your application will be canceled and a portion of your 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 a complimentary eligibility period extension will not be granted.
Please contact us before you apply to find out if your graduation has been verified. You can reach us at (817) 868-4041 (Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 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 may 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 not more than five years old.
Processing time from the submission of your completed application (including fee and CID) to the availability of a scheduling permit is approximately two weeks (7-10 business days). Processing may be delayed if there are any 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 into the Step 3 website.
An email address is required 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 email communication will not be accepted as grounds for a refund, a complimentary eligibility period extension, or a complimentary USMLE transcript.
Information Disclosure Notice: By submitting a Step 3 application, you acknowledge that you have read the Information Disclosure Notice, are familiar with its contents, and agree to abide by the policies and procedures described therein.
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. Fees must be paid via American Express, MasterCard, or Visa. You can view current fees here.
Changing your eligibility period: 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 been approved, you will forfeit the entire application fee. If your application has not yet been approved, you will receive a partial refund of your application fee (we will refund your fee, less a $100 processing fee).
For a later eligibility period: You can either 1) submit an eligibility 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 been approved, you will forfeit the entire application fee. If your application has not been approved, you will receive a partial refund of your application fee (we will refund your fee less a $100 processing fee).
Canceling your application: To cancel your application, you must submit your 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).
Test accommodations: If you require test accommodations, please ensure you 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 further information and to request accommodations.
Scheduling Permit: Once 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) 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 the scheduling permit are incorrect or do not match the form of identification you plan to bring to the testing center, contact us immediately at (817) 868-4041 or [email protected].
You must have a printed copy or be able to access your scheduling permit through the Step 3 website on your test day in order to be admitted to test.
Scheduling your examination: You must have a scheduling permit before contacting 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 days of Step 3 testing 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 can be no more than 14 calendar days apart and you must schedule both appointments with Prometric at the same time and at the same center.
When scheduling or rescheduling your test date on the Prometric website, please make sure to enter your information (name, Candidate ID) to see the most accurate testing center and appointment availability. If you search the Prometric website for available dates without entering your information, you will see ALL dates that center has ANY available appointments (i.e., you will see available dates for any exam, not just USMLE). Just because a center has an available appointment does not mean it has an available appointment to accommodate a 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 are only seeing dates that that Prometric center can accommodate your USMLE Step 3 Day 1 and/or Day 2 exam.
Step 3 is not administered during the first two weeks of January.
The busiest testing times in 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 testing centers. Therefore, you should contact Prometric to schedule your appointment as soon as possible after receiving your scheduling permit.
You should schedule your testing appointment early in your eligibility period to allow for flexibility in case you need to reschedule.
If your testing center closes on your test day:
A list of closed testing centers is available on the Prometric website.
If your testing 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 exam (i.e., you have not yet taken Day 1), you should first attempt to reschedule your appointment by contacting Prometric; you will have to wait 24 hours after receiving the closure/cancellation notice from Prometric before doing this to allow the Prometric system time to reset. If you are unable to reschedule after waiting the mandatory 24 hours or have other issues, please email the FSMB at [email protected]
- If you have opened any portion of the exam (i.e., started or completed Day 1), email USMLE Test Administration at [email protected]
- Emails should include: your full name, USMLE ID, testing center location, a brief summary of the issue (e.g., center closed due to inclement weather), and your ticket number from Prometric, if provided.
Testing center closures will be verified directly with Prometric. This takes several business days. Once the closure is verified, you will be contacted via email with details for rescheduling your appointment. A complimentary extension to your eligibility period will be provided, if needed, to allow you time to reschedule.
Have questions? Need assistance? Please call us at (817) 868-4041 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or email us at [email protected].
