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USMLE Fee Assistance Program

Financial barriers shouldn’t stand in the way of your journey to becoming a licensed physician. That’s why USMLE co-sponsor NBME is supporting medical students and residents with demonstrated financial need through a program to help cover the cost of Step exam fees.

Learn more about the USMLE Fee Assistance program

To apply for USMLE examinations, you must submit an application through the appropriate registration entity as described below.

Note: Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 are not offered on major local holidays. Available dates will be displayed in the scheduling system.

Apply for Step 1 Exam

FOR STUDENTS / GRADUATES OF LCME-OR COCA-ACCREDITED MEDICAL PROGRAMS IN THE US:

Apply through NBME

2026 & 2027 Application Fee: $695

For students / graduates of medical schools located outside the US:

Apply through FSMB

2026 & 2027 Application Fee: $695*

Apply for Step 2 CK Exam

FOR STUDENTS / GRADUATES OF LCME-OR COCA-ACCREDITED MEDICAL PROGRAMS IN THE US:

Apply through NBME

2026 & 2027 Application Fee: $695

For students / graduates of medical schools located outside the US:

Apply through FSMB

2026 & 2027 Application Fee: $695*

Apply for Step 3 Exam

FOR STUDENTS / GRADUATES OF LCME-OR COCA-ACCREDITED MEDICAL PROGRAMS IN THE US:

Apply through NBME

2026 & 2027 Application Fee: $955*

For students / graduates of medical schools located outside the US:

Apply through FSMB

2026 & 2027 Application Fee: $955*

* For students / graduates of medical schools located outside the US:

Region fee information

For Step 1, there is a $210 region fee for exams taken outside of the U.S. and Canada. For Step 2 CK, there is a region fee of $235 for exams taken outside the U.S. and Canada. This is not a USMLE fee.

Note for applicants who select India testing region:

Pursuant to Notification No. 28/2023-Central Tax, the USMLE program is required by the Indian government to collect and remit goods and services taxes for online information database access and retrieval (OIDAR) services provided in India, which include Steps 1 & 2 of the USMLE taken in India. Effective December 4, 2024, this 18% tax will be collected and remitted directly to India, and no amount will be retained by the USMLE program.

Please note: All international medical graduates will need to obtain ECFMG Certification to be eligible for Step 3.

Learn more about ECFMG Certification

If you have any questions about the application process, you may fill out our Contact form.

Information about the Biometric Enabled Check-in System used at Prometric test centers is available.