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/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 2010 application? |
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The 2010 Step 3 application fee is $705 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 2010 Step 3 applications and fees must reach the FSMB by 5:00 pm C.T. on September 3, 2010.
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| 4. |
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 medical school graduates can take up to six weeks to verify degrees 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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| 5. |
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. Please refer to USMLE Bulletin of Information for more information.
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| 6. |
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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| 7. |
Do I have to submit a new Certification of Identity Form each time I apply? |
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No. Beginning with the 2005 Step 3 application materials, the Step 3 Certification of Identity Form 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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| 8. |
Email addresses |
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An email address must be provided on your Step 3 application. This email will be used to notify you of your Step 3 application processing status. You must make sure that you allow emails from usmle@fmsb.org to be received by your email address. Examinees that provide email addresses ending in an .edu and some free accounts will either reject the email notifications all together or will send the email to your SPAM or JUNK email folders. Non receipt of emails will not be accepted to request extensions or refunds for the Step 3.
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| 9. |
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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| 10. |
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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| 11. |
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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| 12. |
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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| 13. |
How can I obtain sample questions or study materials for the USMLE Step 3? |
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Software resembling the actual test delivery system is available on the USMLE website. It is important and
recommended that you acquaint yourself with the software before testing. It is important to take advantage of this opportunity prior to the
exam, as practice time cannot be accommodated on the test day.
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| 14. |
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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| 15. |
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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| 16. |
What do I do if I have a problem at the test center while testing? |
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If you experience a computer problem or any other problem during the test, notify test center staff immediately. The testing software is designed to allow the test to restart at the point it was interrupted. In most cases, your test can be restarted at the point of interruption with no loss of testing time. However, it is possible that a technical problem may occur that does not permit you to complete your examination. In the rare event that this occurs, please send a written description of the incident to the FSMB via email to usmle@fsmb.org, within two weeks of your test date. Include your scheduled dates for testing, the test center you are scheduled to test at and your USMLE id number. Your problem will be thoroughly investigated, and if necessary, arrangements will be made to allow you to test at a later date.
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| 17. |
How do I notify USMLE of a name change/correction or address change? |
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All requests for a change of name must be submitted in writing using the name change/correction form. Visit the Forms section of this website for the name change/correction authorization form. You must also include a copy of your driver's license or passport showing the changed/corrected name. Address and email changes must be made through the Candidate website.
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| 18. |
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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| 19. |
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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