Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions for USMLE Step 3.
 1. |
When is Step 3 offered? |
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Step 3 is administered at Prometric Testing Centers throughout the year, except for the first two weeks of January and any state and federal holidays. The Step 3 can only be taken in the United States.
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| 2. |
What are the Step 3 fees for the 2008 application? |
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The 2008 Step 3 application fee is $670 or higher, depending on the state medical board for whom you are sitting the exam. See the Fees section of this website for full details.
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| 3. |
Is there a deadline for receipt of the Step 3 application? |
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All 2008 Step 3 applications and fees must reach the FSMB by 5:00 pm C.S.T. on September 5, 2008.
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| 4. |
Can I choose my Step 3 eligibility period? |
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No. For reasons involving verification of the postgraduate training required by most boards to sit Step 3, eligibility periods are assigned immediately once your application has been processed and approved.
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| 5. |
Do I have to submit a new Certification of Identity each time I apply? |
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No. Beginning with the 2005 Step 3 application materials, the Step 3 Certification of Identity page containing your signature and photograph will be valid for a period of five years. Once this Step 3 Certificate of Identity is on file with FSMB, it is not necessary to submit another if you must re-apply for Step 3.
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| 6. |
How can I monitor the status of my Step 3 application? |
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Although the FSMB will attempt to notify you of incomplete documents, it is your responsibility to ensure your application is complete. You can monitor your application status by visiting the USMLE Candidate website, by calling the FSMB at 817-868-4041 or via email at usmle@fsmb.org.
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| 7. |
Can I reschedule my appointment for Step 3? |
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Appointments can be rescheduled within your 90-day eligibility period. If rescheduling less than five business days before your current appointment, you will incur a rescheduling fee through Prometric.
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| 8. |
Does it matter where I take the Step 3 exam? |
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No. While you will sit Step 3 under the eligibility requirements of a specific licensing authority, you can take the exam at any Prometric test center in the United States or its territories.
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| 9. |
Do I have to take Step 3 for the medical board of the state where I reside? |
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No. While many people do this, it is not required.
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| 10. |
Can I extend my 90-day eligibility period? |
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Yes. if you are unable to take the test within your eligibility period, a one-time only contiguous 90 day extension to your eligibility period is possible. Due to the need for reverification of eligibility prior to approving extensions, requests must arrive no later than 10 days after the end of the original eligibility period. Check the Forms section of this website for the Eligibility Extension request form and additional details.
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| 11. |
What if I lose my scheduling permit? |
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If you lose your scheduling permit you can print a duplicate permit, by going to the Candidate website.
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| 12. |
How soon will my scores be released? |
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Allow at least eight weeks after your test date to be notified of your score report availability. If you do not receive an email notification of your score report availability, you should check the Candidate website. Your score report will remain available for approximately 120 days from the date of email notification.
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| 13. |
How do I notify USMLE of a name or address change? |
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All requests for a change of name must be submitted in writing using the appropriate form. Visit the Forms section of this website for the name change form. Address changes must be made through the Candidate Website.
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| 14. |
I have seen FCVS mentioned, what is FCVS? |
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FCVS stands for Federation Credentials Verification Service and it is a uniform process for state medical boards to obtain a verified, primary source record of a physician's core medical credentials. FCVS obtains primary source verification of medical education, postgraduate training, examination history, board action history, board certification and identity. This repository of information allows a physician and/or physician assistant to establish a confidential, lifetime professional portfolio with FCVS which can be forwarded, at the physician's request, to any state medical board that has established an agreement with FCVS, hospital, health care or any other entity. [ More on FCVS ]
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| 15. |
Can I make a request for a recheck of the step 3 exam scores and how can I do this? |
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Standard procedures ensure that the scores reported for each examinee are an accurate reflection of the responses recorded by the computer, and a change in score based on a recheck is an extremely remote possibility. In a recheck, staff will take an examinee's computer record and, using an independent scoring system, check to verify that the originally reported score is accurate. The recheck is not processed manually and it is not a reassessment of the correctness of your answers.
If you wish to proceed with a recheck, the Federation of State Medical Boards charges a $55.00 processing fee per exam for a recheck of the Step 3 examination. It is a Federation policy not to process any recheck until the appropriate fees are received in full. Please send a letter with your name, USMLE or Social Security number, exam date, mailing address and email address, along with your $55.00 check or money order (payable to the Federation of State Medical Boards) to the address provided below and your recheck will then be processed. Your request must be received in our office within 90 days of your score report being released.
EXAMS - STEP 3 RECHECKS
Federation of State Medical Boards
PO Box 619850
Dallas, TX
75261-9850
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| 16. |
Can I apply before medical school graduation or issuance of my ECFMG certificate or Fifth Pathway
certificate?
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No. As part of the USMLE requirements to take the Step 3, you should apply only after the date of
graduation on your medical school diploma or the issue date of your ECFMG or Fifth Pathway certificate.
(Recent graduates can take up to six weeks to verify the degree before approval for Step 3).
If you submit a Step 3 application prior to graduation from medical school or issuance of
the ECFMG or Fifth Pathway certificate your application will be cancelled and a portion of your fees forfeited.
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