Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
Before applying to ECFMG for examination:
Important Note: Please note that ECFMG will not provide services of any kind if doing so would be considered violative of any applicable international, federal, state, or local laws or regulations. Additionally, ECFMG may delay or suspend provision of services while investigating whether the services or surrounding circumstances violate such laws, regulations, or ECFMG’s policies and procedures.
You can apply for USMLE Step 1 and/or Step 2 CK via our on-line services. You should read the detailed instructions for the application for examination before you begin working on the application; these resources will help you plan the timing of your application and outline any necessary items (such as forms that must be completed by your medical school) that require advance planning.
Important Note: You should also consider deadlines imposed by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and graduate medical education (GME) programs. It is solely the responsibility of the applicant to complete the exam requirements in time to meet deadlines imposed by the NRMP and/or GME programs. Since the number of applicants seeking to complete exams may exceed the spaces available in time to meet those deadlines, there is no guarantee that sufficient spaces will be available for all applicants to meet deadlines imposed by the NRMP and/or GME programs. ECFMG assumes no liability of any kind if an applicant does not complete the exam requirements in time to have results available to meet NRMP and/or GME program deadlines. See Examination Results for information on scoring turnaround times.
For Step 1 or Step 2 CK , there is an examination fee. Each exam also has an additional international test delivery surcharge if you choose a testing region other than the United States/Canada. You must pay all applicable fees at the time you apply for examination. For the current exam fees and international test delivery surcharges, see the Fees page on the ECFMG website.
When you apply for Step 1 or Step 2 CK, you must select an eligibility period during which you would prefer to take the exam. The eligibility period you are assigned will be listed on your scheduling permit. You must take the exam during the eligibility period assigned to you.
If you are unable to take Step 1/Step 2 CK during the eligibility period assigned to you, you may request a one-time, contiguous eligibility period extension via our on-line services. Additional information and instructions are provided with the application.
If you do not take Step 1/Step 2 CK during your original or extended eligibility period or if you are unable to extend your eligibility period, you must reapply by submitting a new application and fee(s), if you wish to take the exam.
Step 1 and Step 2 CK are delivered at Prometric test centers worldwide. Prometric's test centers are grouped into defined testing regions. When you apply for Step 1 or Step 2 CK, you must choose the testing region where you want to take the exam. A list of Prometric testing regions is available on the ECFMG website.
You can take the exam at any test center in your testing region that offers USMLE, provided there is space available on the date you choose. The test centers available for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK are subject to change. To obtain current information on specific test centers, visit the Prometric website or follow instructions on the scheduling permit for contacting Prometric.
If you are unable to keep your Step 1 or Step 2 CK testing appointment at the test center you select, you can reschedule for a different test center within your testing region, subject to availability. Rescheduling fees may apply. A fee schedule is posted on the USMLE website . Refer to your scheduling permit for details.
If you are unable to take Step 1 or Step 2 CK in the testing region you selected, you may request a change to your testing region. Additional information and instructions are provided with the form.
The USMLE program provides reasonable accommodations for examinees with disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are an individual with a disability under the ADA and require test accommodations to access the exam, visit the USMLE website before you apply for information regarding test accommodations, including procedures, guidelines, and documentation requirements.
Examinees who require additional break time for medical conditions or for other reasons, may apply for additional break time/standard testing time. See the USMLE Bulletin of Information for more information.
A list of approved personal items that may be permitted in the secure testing area, subject to inspection by test center staff, is available on the USMLE website . See also the USMLE Bulletin of Information for more information.
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[Last update: August 21, 2023]
