The USMLE Committee on Irregular Behavior investigates incidents of alleged irregular behavior on the part of USMLE examinees. This year, as of October 31st, the Committee on Irregular Behavior made determinations in 27 instances that USMLE examinees had engaged in irregular behavior.

The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) is developing new software for delivery of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps and other examination programs. A field trial of this software was conducted from January 19 to February 7, 2004, at selected test centers of Prometric, part of the Thomson Corporation, in the United States, Australia, China, Egypt, India, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. This trial was primarily a test of software functionality, but resembled USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 3 in content and format. Those who anticipate taking USMLE Step 2 CK or Step 3 may find this field trial useful.

Each participant who completed all sections of the field trial will be provided with a profile of performance. Please note that NBME Test Delivery Software Field Trial results cannot be substituted for USMLE Step scores for the purpose of ECFMG Certification or medical licensure in the United States.

For complete information or to apply for the field trial, visit http://www.usmle.org/news/testsoftware.htm

The 2004 USMLE Step 3 application is now available. These materials can be printed and submitted now. Federation staff will begin registering individuals submitting the 2004 application starting the first week of October with Nov. 1, 2003, set as the earliest date that approved applicants can begin sitting for Step 3 using the 2004 application materials.

All individuals applying to take Step 3 using the 2003 application form must forward their application to FSMB by September 1, 2003. The Step 3 fee and all required forms must also be received by this date.

Approximately, two weeks later (mid-September) the 2004 application will be posted to our website. Once posted to the website, the 2004 application materials can be printed and immediately submitted to the Federation for processing. Federation staff will begin registering individuals submitting the 2004 application starting the first week of October with November 1, 2003 set as the earliest date that approved applicants can begin sitting Step 3 using the 2004 application materials.

The 2004 Step 3 application cycle runs November 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004. Individuals who immediately submit the 2004 application when it is made available can expect an eligibility period beginning November 1 and running through the end of January. Otherwise, the usual 2 weeks required for processing will determine the exact start date of an examinee's eligibility period within the 2004 application cycle. An additional 15 days is added to the 90-day eligibility period to allow for mailing of the scheduling permit.

At the May 2003 meeting of the USMLE Budget Committee, fees for the 2004 application cycle were set for all three Steps.

The $610 Step 3 fee will not take effect until September 2003 with the new Step 3 application which will be posted on our Web site in mid September.

• Step 1 $435
• Step 2 Clicnial Knowledge (CK) $435
• Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) $975
• Step 3 $610

Some variation in the fees may occur based upon the registering entity and the location where the USMLE is taken.

If you have NOT submitted a USMLE Step 3 application, click here to begin the process and to download an application along with application instructions.

Step 3 exam candidates now have 24-hour access to registration information through an interactive Web site allowing them to access the status of an application, check the anticipated mailing date for a score report, and more. Step 3 candidates may use this link to set up a personalized password and check the status of their registration today!

• results of surveys of various groups concerning the appropriateness of current pass/fail standards for Step examinations
• trends in examinee performance
• score precision and its effect on the pass/fail decision
• recommendations from physicians who participated in content-based standard-setting activities early in 2003

As a result of this review, the Step 2 Committee decided to raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 2 CK from 174 to 182. The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 2 CK examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after 5/1/2003. For additional information, consult the USMLE website.