United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

In the United States and its territories, the individual medical licensing authorities ("state medical boards") of the various jurisdictions grant a license to practice medicine. Each medical licensing authority sets its own rules and regulations and requires passing an examination that demonstrates qualification for licensure. Results of the USMLE are reported to these authorities for use in granting the initial license to practice medicine. The USMLE provides them with a common evaluation system for applicants for initial medical licensure.

The USMLE is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. (FSMB), and the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®).

Step 1 and Step 2 application materials are available for students and graduates of LCME- and AOA-accredited medical schools from the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) website. Step 1 and Step 2 application materials are also available for students and graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®).

Step 1 and Step 2 applications must be submitted to the NBME if you are a student or graduate of a medical school in the United States and Canada, or to the ECFMG if you are a student or graduate of a medical school outside the United States and Canada. You must complete current, official USMLE applications and submit them to the ECFMG or NBME in accordance with the application instructions.

To request information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for Step 3, you should contact the medical licensing authority with which you intend to apply for Step 3 or the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB). Application procedures for Step 3 vary among jurisdictions. Therefore, you are advised to begin inquiries well in advance of the dates on which you expect to take the examination. Depending on the licensing board, application materials are available from the FSMB or medical licensing authority. See also USMLE Bulletin: Applying for the Test and Scheduling Your Test Date

USMLE FAQs

Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. (FSMB)

National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®)