The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

 

The following information will help guide you through the registration process for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).

For additional information about this process, please see the United States Medical Licensing Examination website. The United States Medical Licensing Examination is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States and is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)


Step 1: Assesses a student's ability to apply important concepts of the basic sciences to the practice of medicine. All Year 2 students must pass the USMLE Step 1 examination before they are eligible for promotion to Year 3. Please see the policies in the Official M.D. Handbook and Policies

Step 2: This is an exam that test clinical knowledge. Year 4 students must report a passing score by May 1 prior to certification of graduation.

Step 3: Assesses whether a medical school graduate can apply medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine. This exam is typically taken at the end of the first year of residency.

Passing Step 1 and  Step 2 is required for graduation from the Wayne State University School of Medicine. Students who fail Step 1 are designated Special Matriculation students. Please refer to the policies and procedures in the Official M.D. Handbook and Policies.


USMLE Step 1

For the Class of 2026, your three-month window in which you will take the test is January 2024 - March 2024. You can register 6 months prior to the end of this window: September 2023.

Completing the Step 1 application process is done in the following: 

  • 1: Set up USMLE account. 
  • 2: Part A is done online.
  • 3: Part B is a certification page you will need to submit after completing Part A.

Set up USMLE Account 

  1. Go to NBME website for applications: 
    1. https://www.nbme.org/students/licensing.html 
    2. Follow the instructions for "First-time user?" 
  2. You will be directed to enter: 
    1. Social Security number, first and last name, birth date, email address 
    2. Medical school (Michigan Wayne State University School of Medicine) and graduation year 
  3. Once submitted, you will immediately receive an email with your USMLE identification number and a temporary password from the National Board. You will use this ID number in all future correspondence regarding USMLE. 
  4. Use your USMLE ID and temporary password to log in. You will be required to change your password and create clues in case you forget your password. 

Part A 

  1. Log in to NBME website for applications: 
    1. https://www.nbme.org/students/licensing.html 
  2. Proceed to Apply for USMLE. Read application instructions. The examination you are applying for is Step 1. 
  3. Confirm Medical School: Michigan Wayne State University School of Medicine 
  4. Enter: 
    1. Date enrolled 
    2. Date medical degree expected 
  5. Review: 
    1. Eligibility period (period of time you are eligible to take the exam) 
    2. Region (the default is U.S. and Canada) 
    3. Enter address. Use the address where you wish to receive your score. 
  6. Name: 
    1. It is essential that the name on your USMLE Application/Scheduling Permit matches your medical school record and your photo ID (driver's license or passport). 
    2. The name that will be pre-populated on your application is in most cases your name as it appeared in your medical school record at the time of acceptance. If you have changed your name since matriculation, your name with the National Board may need to be changed. 
      1. First-time applicants: Your name change/correction will be accepted automatically. Check Name Changed box. 
      2. Previous applicants: After you print Part B of the application, also print a Name Change Authorization form and submit with supporting documentation to the Office of Records and Registration. 
  7. Test Accommodations:
    1. If you have a documented disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and require test accommodations you must check that item on your application to indicate that you are submitting a request for accommodations with supporting documentation. 
    2. For complete information on procedures and required documentation, consult here: http://www.usmle.org/test-accommodations/
  8. After completing all the information, carefully review the Summary Page. 
    1. Make note of reference numbers in case something goes wrong and you have to go back in. 
  9. After submitting, you will be prompted to print Part B of the application. 

Part B 

  1. Send Part B to the Office of Records and Registration. 
    1. You can submit the form electronically to records@med.wayne.edu 
      • If submitting electronically, you must submit the form in PDF format with your written signature. (Not a script font.)
      • If you have a professional picture, you can submit the form with your picture. Otherwise, we will include your photo from the photo roster.
    2. The 2024 fee is $670.
      1. If you are paying by check or money order, make it payable to "NBME." 
      2. For current examination fees, consult: http://www.nbme.org/students/examfees.html 
  2. The Office of Records and Registration will mail applications to the NBME for processing. 
  3. Remember to sign and date your application. 

USMLE Step 2

USMLE Step 2CK required to take the examination by the end of October to allow for a first attempt result to be reported by the end of January. 

The "take by" dates for these exams were developed based on the reporting schedulesto allow for a secondattempt before graduation if the first attempt is unsuccessful. 

To be certified for graduation, allow sufficient time to have medical licensing forms completed. To be allowed to participate in commencement and other graduation-related activities, a passing result for both examinations must be received by May 1. 

USMLE Examinations Deadline
First Attempt USMLE Step 2CK Take by the end of October of senior year
For students whose first attempt is unsuccessful, posting of passing results for USMLE Step 2CK May 1 of senior year approximately one month before graduation

Scheduling an Exam

Once your application is registered and eligibility status approved, a Scheduling Permit notification email will be sent to the email address you provided on your application. 

The Scheduling Permit includes your assigned eligibility period, which begins immediately. It is essential you schedule your exam date as soon as you receive your Scheduling Permit from the NBME. 

The three USMLE tests are administered by computer at Prometric Testing centers. You may apply for the USMLE online at the NBME. 

To locate a test center and schedule your appointment, go to: https://securereg3.prometric.com/ or call the toll-free number on the permit.