June 2009

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or believe that you may have been recently exposed to an influenza patient, you should reschedule your examination.

Information about USMLE and Influenza
Updated: June 16, 2009

The World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic influenza alert is at phase 6. The Composite Committee and USMLE parent organizations continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to take appropriate measures as warranted to protect the health and safety of examinees and the public. As noted previously, USMLE examinees planning to test in the near future, who have concerns about their ability to test safely, may reschedule USMLE computer-based testing appointments or Clinical Skills appointments. In most instances, examinees should be able to use the standard procedures to make changes, without additional fees, by following procedures described in the USMLE Bulletin of Information.

While the pandemic influenza alert is at WHO phase 6, concerned examinees who would like to receive an eligibility period extension for an upcoming Step examination can do so, without additional fees, by contacting his or her registration entity to explain the circumstances. This waiver of the eligibility period extension fee will be in effect while the WHO influenza alert remains at phase 6. Examinees should monitor the USMLE website for any change to this fee waiver. For the exam in question, please contact the organization with whom you registered:

The USMLE program continues to monitor this situation closely for any significant changes that might result in a need to suspend the USMLE program until testing can be safely resumed. Please be sure to monitor the USMLE website for updates to this announcement. Of course, if you personally are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or believe that you may have been recently exposed to an influenza patient, you should reschedule your examination.

May 2009

USMLE Fees Adopted for the 2010 Test Cycle
The United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Budget Committee adopted the following fees for the 2010 test cycle at its April 17, 2009 meeting: Step 1, $505; Step 2CK, $505; Step 2CS $1075 and Step 3, $705. (Note: Some variation in fees may occur based on the registering entity and the location where the USMLE is administered.) For more information, please contact FSMB's Examination Services department at (817) 868-4041 or by e-mail at usmle@fsmb.org.

January 2009

Migration of Step 3 Examination to New Software for Computer-Based USMLE in March 2009
A new version of the software used to deliver the computer-based USMLE Step examinations was introduced in mid-August 2008. The Step 3 Examination is scheduled to be migrated to the new version in March 2009.

The migration is expected to begin at a small number of test centers on March 9, and will then be phased in at remaining test centers during the week of March 16. If you plan to take the Step 3 examination in March 2009 or later, you should familiarize yourself with both the current test delivery software and the new version.

Because the Step 3 examination is a 2-day exam, no Step 3 examinations can be administered when a test center is migrating to the new test delivery software (in order to prevent migration of the software between the first and second day of an administration).

Note to Step 1 examinees: Migration of Step 1 to the new test delivery software will occur in May/June 2009. Please monitor the USMLE website announcements section to check for changes in test delivery software, and to access orientation and practice materials. More...