| Acronym | USMLE |
|---|---|
| Type | Computer-based, three-part sequence, standardized test |
| Administrator | Federation of State Medical Boards, National Board of Medical Examiners |
| Skills tested | STEP 1: Application of scientific principles basic to the practice of medicine STEP 2: Application of medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for supervised patient care STEP 3: Application of medical knowledge and understanding of biomedical and clinical science essential for the unsupervised practice of medicine |
| Purpose | Medical licensure in the United States |
| Year started | 1992 |
| Duration | STEP 1: 8 hours[1] STEP 2: 9 hours[2] STEP 3 (Day 1): 7 hours STEP 3 (Day 2): 9 hours[3] |
| Score range | STEP 1: pass/fail STEP 2: 1-300 (214 to pass)[4] STEP 3: 1-300 (198 to pass) |
| Offered | Year round |
| Regions | Globally at a Prometric centers for Step 1 and Step 2 CK; at a U.S. Prometric centers for Step 3 |
| Languages | English |
| Annual number of test takers | More than 100,000 medical school students and graduates (2020)[5][6] |
| Fee | STEP 1: US$645.00 STEP 2: US$645.00[7] STEP 3: US$895.00[8] |
| Used by | State medical boards in the U.S. and U.S. Territories |
| Website | www |
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination program for medical licensure in the United States sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).[9] Physicians with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree are required to pass the USMLE for medical licensure. However, those with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (DO) are required to take the COMLEX-USA (COMLEX) exams but may also sit for the USMLE as well.[10][11]
States may enact additional testing and/or licensing requirements.[12]