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New Rules on Repeating USMLE Examinations: Time between Examination Attempts

The USMLE Program sets rules on how quickly examinees can repeat the same Step or Step Component. These rules will change for exam applications submitted on or after January 1, 2012.

For exam applications submitted before January 1, 2012, the current rules apply. The current rules are:

  • For the computer-based examinations (Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3), you may take the examination no more than four times within a 12-month period.
  • For Step 2 CS, you may take the examination no more than three times within a 12-month period.

For exam applications submitted on or after January 1, 2012, the following rules apply to all Steps and Step Components. You may take the same examination no more than three times within a 12-month period. Your fourth and subsequent attempts must be at least 12 months after your first attempt at that exam and at least six months after your most recent attempt at that exam. Attempts at that examination (complete and incomplete) prior to January 1, 2012 will be counted in determining whether these rules apply.

When you reapply, your exam eligibility period will be adjusted, if necessary, to comply with these rules.

Example: An examinee takes and fails her first attempt at Step 1 on January 15, 2011, her second attempt at Step 1 on April 15, 2011, and her third attempt at Step 1 on September 15, 2011. In January 2012, the examinee submits an application for a fourth attempt at Step 1, requesting the March-April-May eligibility period. The earliest date that is both 12 months after her first attempt on January 15, 2011 and six months after her most recent attempt on September 15, 2011 is March 15, 2012. Since the March-April-May eligibility period requested by the applicant begins before this date, the applicant is assigned the next eligibility period that begins after March 15, 2012, April-May-June.

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