2017
BULLETIN
of
INFORMATION
A Joint Program of the Federation of
State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc.,
and the National Board of Medical Examiners
®
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page #
QUICK FACTS
(You must become familiar with this bulletin in its entirety.)
4
▫ Eligibility for the USMLE Examinations
4
▫ Applying and Scheduling
5
▫ Examination Day and Testing
6
▫ Scoring and Score Reporting
7
▫ Irregular Behavior
8
OVERVIEW
9
▫ Purpose and Mission of the USMLE
9
▫ Examination Committees
9
▫ Ownership and Copyright of Examination Materials
9
▫ The USMLE: Purpose, Test Format, and Test Lengths
9
ELIGIBILITY FOR THE USMLE
11
▫ Who is Eligible to Take the USMLE?
11
▫ Change in Eligibility Status
12
▫ Graduates From Unaccredited Medical Schools in the US or Canada
12
▫ Sequence of Steps
12
▫ Number of Attempts and Time Limits
12
▫ Retaking Failed Examinations
12
▫ Retaking Previously Passed Steps
13
▫ Previously Licensed Physicians
13
APPLYING FOR THE TEST AND SCHEDULING YOUR TEST DATE
14
▫ Application Materials
14
▫ Examinees With Disabilities Requesting Test Accommodations
14
▫ Examinees Who Require Additional Break Time
14
▫ Personal Item Exceptions (PIE)
14
▫ Obtaining an Eligibility Period and Scheduling Your Test Date
15
EXAMINATION DAY AND TESTING
16
▫ Testing Regulations and Rules of Conduct
16
▫ Personal Belongings – What You Can Bring Into the Testing Room
17
▫ Admission to the Test
17
▫ Break Time
19
▫ Starting and Completing the Test
19
SCORING AND SCORE REPORTING
21
▫ Examination Results and Scoring
21
▫ Score Reporting
21
▫ Score Rechecks
22
▫ Score Validity
22
▫ Anomalous Performance
23
IRREGULAR BEHAVIOR
24
▫ Irregular Behavior Defined
24
▫ Examples of Irregular Behavior
24
▫ Irregular Behavior – Investigation Process
25
COMMUNICATING WITH THE USMLE PROGRAM
26
▫ Application and Registration Inquiries
26
▫ Scheduling and Test Center Inquiries
26
▫ Test Administration Inquiries
27
▫ Security Concerns
27
▫ General Inquiries
27
APPENDIX
(list of definitions of abbreviations)
28
www.usmle.org
2
2017 Bulletin of Information
IMPORTANT
You must become familiar with the information referenced in this Bulletin if you are an applicant with an eligibility
period in 2017. If your eligibility period extends into 2018 and you test in 2018, you must become familiar with and
will be subject to the policies and procedures detailed in the 2018 Bulletin of Information (BOI). If changes in the
USMLE program occur after the release of this BOI, they will be effective when posted on the
USMLE website
. You are
responsible for checking the
USMLE website
for updates and changes to the USMLE policies and procedures.
IMPORTANT
If you are a student or graduate of a medical school outside the US or Canada with an eligibility period in 2017, in
addition to becoming familiar with this BOI, you must also be familiar with the contents of the 2017 Information
Booklet published by the ECFMG. If your eligibility period extends into 2018 and you test in 2018, you must become
familiar with and will be subject to the policies and procedures detailed in the ECFMG 2018 Information Booklet. The
ECFMG Information Booklet is available on the
ECFMG website
. Students and graduates of medical schools outside of
the US and Canada are responsible for monitoring the
ECFMG website
to ensure they understand current ECFMG
policies and procedures, including any changes.
Copyright © 2016-2017 by the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc., and the National Board of
Medical Examiners® (NBME®). The USMLE is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United
States, Inc., and the National Board of Medical Examiners.
www.usmle.org
3
2017 Bulletin of Information
QUICK FACTS:
Eligibility for the USMLE Examinations
STEP COMPONENT
REQUIREMENTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
STEPS 1, 2 CK, AND 2 CS
•
Officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US
or Canadian medical school leading to the
MD degree (LCME accredited), OR
•
Officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a US
medical school leading to the DO degree
(AOA accredited), OR
•
Officially enrolled in, or a graduate of, a
medical school outside of the US and Canada
listed in the
World Directory of Medical
Schools
as meeting ECFMG eligibility
requirements; meets other ECFMG criteria
•
Must meet eligiblity requirements at
time of application AND on test day
•
If you are dismissed or withdraw(n)
from medical school, you are not
eligible for the USMLE, even if you
are appealing the school’s decision or
are otherwise contesting your status
STEP 3
•
Possess the MD degree (or its equivalent) or
the DO degree from an LCME- or AOA-
accredited US or Canadian medical school, or
from a medical school outside the US and
Canada listed in the
World Directory of
Medical Schools
as meeting ECFMG eligibility
requirements, AND
•
Pass Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS, AND
•
If you are a graduate of a medical school
outside of the US and Canada, posess the
ECFMG certification or have successfully
completed a Fifth Pathway program (see
page 11)
•
Must meet eligibility requirements
prior to submitting your application
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may take Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS in any sequence.
Please see pages 11-13 for more information regarding eligibility requirements.
RETAKES
You may take the same examination no more than three times
within a 12-month period. Your fourth and subsequent attempts
must be at least 12 months after your first attempt at that
examination and at least six months after your most recent
attempt at that examination.
If you have passed an examination, you are not permitted to
retake a Step or Step Component, except to comply with certain
requirements as approved by the USMLE governance.
MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AND TIME LIMITS
You are ineligible to take a Step or Step Component if you have
made six or more prior attempts to pass that Step or Step
Component, including incomplete attempts, regardless of when
the examinations were taken.
Time limits to complete the USMLE, for purposes of licensure, are
established by state medical boards and many require completion
of all Steps or Step Components within seven years.
Information regarding specific state requirements can be obtained
on the
FSMB website
.
NOTE
: If you are dismissed or withdraw(n) from medical school, you are not eligible for the USMLE, even if you are
appealing the school’s decision to dismiss you or are otherwise contesting your status. If you are on a leave of absence,
please check with your registration entity before submitting your application, or if you have already registered, check
with them before testing. Failure to notify your registration entity that you may no longer be eligible to take an
examination may result in a determination of irregular behavior and a permanent annotation on your score reports and
www.usmle.org
4
2017 Bulletin of Information
QUICK FACTS: Applying and Scheduling
STEP COMPONENT
APPLICATION AND SCHEDULING PROCESS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
STEPS 1 AND 2 CK
•
Students/graduates of LCME- or AOA-
accredited programs should apply via
the
NBME Application website
•
Students/graduates of medical schools
outside of the US/Canada should apply via
the
ECFMG Application website
•
During the application process, select a
three-month eligibility period in which
you wish to test
•
You will receive an e-mail notifying you
that your scheduling permit is available
•
Visit the
Prometric website
to schedule
your test date
•
You may be able to schedule your test date
up to six months in advance
•
If you are unable to test within your eligibility
period, contact your registration entity
(NBME or ECFMG) to inquire about a one-
time eligibility period extension; a fee is
charged for this service
•
If you do not take the examination within
your eligibility period, you must reapply with
a new application and fee. Your application
fee is nonrefundable
STEP 2 CS
•
Students/graduates of LCME- or AOA-
accredited programs should apply via
the
NBME Application website
•
Students/graduates of medical schools
outside of the US/Canada should apply via
the
ECFMG Application website
•
You will be assigned a 12-month eligibility
period, which begins upon acceptance
and verification of your application
•
You will receive an e-mail notifying you
that your scheduling permit is available
•
Visit the
USMLE website
to schedule your
test date
•
Once assigned, your eligibility period cannot
be changed
•
If you do not take the examination within
your assigned eligibility period, you must
submit a new application and fee. Your
application fee is non-refundable
STEP 3
•
All graduates should apply for Step 3 via
the
FSMB website
•
During the application process, select a
three-month eligibility period in which
you wish to test
•
You will receive an e-mail notifying you
that your scheduling permit is available
•
Visit the
Prometric website
to schedule
your test dates
•
You may not be able to schedule your testing
appointment more than six months in
advance
•
If you are unable to test within your eligibility
period, contact the FSMB to inquire about a
one-time eligibility period extension; a fee is
charged and restrictions may apply. Visit
the
FSMB website
for more information
•
If you do not take the examination within
your eligibility period, you must reapply with
a new application and fee. Your application
fee is nonrefundable
For information about how to request test accommodations or permission to bring medically necessary items with
you on exam day, see the Applying for the Test and Scheduling Your Test Date section of this BOI.
www.usmle.org
5
2017 Bulletin of Information
QUICK FACTS: Examination Day and Testing
DO
DON’T
Review the USMLE Rules of Conduct prior to taking
your examination
Follow all test center staff instructions before,
during, and after your examination
Remember to bring a copy of your scheduling
permit (electronic or paper) and required
identification (see below); you will not be
permitted to test without them
Arrive 30 minutes prior to your testing
appointment (computer-based examinations); for
Step 2 CS, arrive at the time listed on your
confirmation notice
Confirm that your headphones are working, either
before the examination begins or during the
tutorial (computer-based examinations)
Use personal items only when on an authorized
break; you are not permitted to access your locker
during unauthorized breaks (computer-based
examinations)
Be sure to complete all sections of the
examination
Feel compelled to test if you are ill, under unusual
stress or feeling unprepared for the examination
Bring family and friends to the center; instead,
arrange to meet them after the examination ends
Bring unauthorized items to the testing room: for
computer-based examinations, only soft-foam
earplugs are allowed; for Step 2 CS, only your
white lab coat and stethoscope are allowed
Write on laminated note boards prior to entering
your Candidate Identification Number (CIN) and
starting your test session (computer-based
examinations) or write on anything other than the
laminated note boards
Work past the announcements to stop
Access your locker or use your cell phone on
an unauthorized break
Please see pages 16-20 for more information regarding examination day rules and regulations.
Identification Required on Exam Day
You must present valid (unexpired) identification with:
Your photo
Your name as it appears on your permit
Your signature
Your name, as it appears on your scheduling permit, must
match the name on your identification exactly. If the name
listed is not correct, contact your registration entity
immediately.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
Passport
Driver’s license with photograph
National Identity Card
Other dated, government-issued identification
SECURITY PROCEDURES
ON TEST DAY
During check-in, you will:
be scanned with a handheld metal detector
(computer-based examinations)
be asked to empty and turn your pockets inside out
place your personal belongings in bins that are
inaccessible for the duration of the examination (Step
2 CS)
have your photo identification checked
be fingerprinted using biometric technology
(computer-based examinations; not available at all
locations)
write your unique CIN as shown on your scheduling
permit on one of the laminated note boards provided
(computer-based examinations)
You will be asked to repeat much of this process each time you
return to the testing room after a break.
www.usmle.org
6
2017 Bulletin of Information
QUICK FACTS: Scoring and Score Reporting
WHAT HAPPENS WHILE YOU WAIT FOR YOUR SCORES?
STEPS 1, 2 CK, AND 3
STEP 2 CS
After testing, the examination data are delivered
electronically to the NBME
Examinee responses are converted into a raw
score (the sum of the points earned from correct
scores)
The raw score is converted into a three-digit score
Analyses are performed to detect aberrant
examinee response behavior. Candidates who are
identified by these analyses may be asked to
provide an explanation of their testing behaviors
Final quality assurance procedures are performed
to verify that the correct set of score reports is
produced
Score reports are then posted to the registration
entity’s (NBME, ECFMG, or FSMB) secure website
and made available to examinees
Examinee test dates are batched into scoring
cohorts that are usually eight weeks long
Each day, after testing ends, the testing center
performs quality control measures on the
examination data before the information is
delivered to the NBME
Standardized Patient rating scales are converted to
scores and patient notes are assigned to specially
trained Patient Note raters
When the test administration period for the cohort
ends, the performance from the entire cohort is
used to generate the data needed to ensure score
comparability (across sites and administrations)
and to report outcomes
The results go through a final quality control
process involving computation of statistical quality
control measures
Once results are verified and approved for release,
the scores are made available as indicated in
the
Step 2 CS Score Reporting Schedule
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET RESULTS?
Results for computer-based examinations (Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3)
are typically available within three to four weeks after your test
date. However, delays are possible for various reasons. In
selecting your test date and inquiring about results, you should
allow at least eight weeks to receive notification that your score
report is available. For more specific information about potential
scoring delays, please visit the Announcements section of
the
USMLE website
.
For Step 2 CS, refer to the
Step 2 CS Score Reporting Schedule
.
When your score is available, follow the instructions in the e-mail
notification for accessing your USMLE score report. The report will
remain available for approximately 120 days from the date of the
e-mail notification. After 120 days, your scores will be provided to
you only in the form of an official USMLE transcript.
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