USMLE doesn’t have one set date that everyone can follow. You choose your own day at a Prometric test centre, any time of the year. You pick a three-month window when you apply, and your test has to fall inside it.
USMLE Exam Dates at a Glance
Exams run year-round at Prometric centres, so you aren’t waiting for a notified date.
You pick a three-month eligibility period when you apply.
Once your application is processed, you get a scheduling permit.
Use the permit to book a day and time on Prometric, inside your window.
If you need more time, you can request one three-month extension for a fee of $70 (about ₹6,647).
Below, you’ll find the details for each step, including how to check dates, what it costs and what to bring on test day.
USMLE Step 1 Exam Dates 2026
You can take the USMLE exam Step 1 at any time of the year in 2026, so there isn’t one fixed date that everyone has to follow.
When you apply, you pick a three-month eligibility period, and then you book a test date that’s open within those months. This is why it helps to plan your preparation first and choose the window that fits it, instead of the other way around.
Here’s how it works:
Detail
Information
Exam availability
Throughout the year
Eligibility period
Three consecutive months
Exam date selection
Choose from available appointments
Date availability
Depends on the test centre and open slots
Let’s say your eligibility period is April to June 2026. You can book any open appointment during those three months, so if you feel ready in May, you can simply pick a slot in May.
The exact dates can be different from one test centre to another, so it’s a good idea to check the Prometric USMLE scheduling page to see what’s open right now.
Also, appointments are given on a first-come, first-served basis, so booking early gives you a better chance of getting the date and centre you actually want.
Can you take the USMLE Step 1 exam in India?
Yes, you can. You don’t have to travel abroad for it, becauseUSMLE Step 1 is held at Prometric test centres in India, mostly in the major cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. When you fill in your application, you just need to select “India” as your testing region, and then you can book your appointment at a centre near you.
Just like Step 1, you can take USMLE Step 2 CK at any time of the year in 2026, so there isn’t one common exam date for everyone. You get an eligibility period when you apply, and you book an available appointment that falls within it, so make sure your exam date doesn’t go beyond those months.
Indian students don’t need to travel abroad for this one either, since Step 2 CK is also held at authorised Prometric test centres in India. The dates you see will depend on the centre you choose and the slots that are open at that time.
Unlike Step 1 and Step 2 CK, USMLE Step 3 is held only in United States and its territories, so there are no test centres in India for it. The exam is available throughout the year, and you pick from the open appointments at any Prometric test centre in US instead of following one fixed date. The only break is the first two weeks of January, when Step 3 is not offered.
Step 3 is taken over two testing days, and you can schedule them on back-to-back days or on separate days, as long as both fall within your eligibility period. This is why it’s a good idea to check the open dates for both days together, so you can plan your travel and stay around them.
Detail
Information
Exam availability
Throughout 2026, except the first two weeks of January
Exam location
Prometric test centres in United States and its territories
Exam duration
Two testing days
Eligibility period
Three months
Date selection
Based on available appointments, first-come, first-served
A few things are worth knowing before you book:
You can’t schedule too far ahead. Your scheduling permit and the option to book with Prometric only open up to six months before your eligibility period starts.
Book early in your eligibility period, so you still have room to reschedule if something changes. Test centre availability isn’t guaranteed, and any rescheduled dates also need to fall inside your eligibility period.
If you can’t test within your period, you can ask for a one-time extension of three more months.
The exam fee can’t be refunded or moved to another eligibility period or application, so choose your period carefully.
For Indian students, this means you’ll need to travel to US to take Step 3, so it helps to plan the location, your stay and the two-day schedule well in advance.
Scheduling the USMLE happens in two stages: first you apply for the exam, and then you book your test appointment. While applying, you choose a three-month eligibility period, and this is the window in which you need to take the exam.
Once your application is approved, you get a scheduling permit, which you use to book an open date with Prometric.
For international medical graduates (IMGs), which includes most Indian students, the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has handled USMLE Step exam applications and scheduling permits since January 12, 2026. You’ll still use MyIntealth for your Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certification, but your exam application goes through the FSMB portal.
How to Book a USMLE Exam Date?
1. Complete your exam application
As an IMG, first make sure you meet the ECFMG Certification requirements through MyIntealth, since being eligible for certification is a core requirement to take the USMLE. Then submit your USMLE Step application through the FSMB portal.
2. Select your eligibility period
Choose a three-month eligibility period while applying. You need to take the exam within this period. If you can’t, you can request a one-time extension of three more months, and the request must reach FSMB within 25 days after your original period ends.
3. Receive your scheduling permit
Once your application is processed and approved, you’ll receive your scheduling permit. Please check that the first and last names on it match the ID you will carry to the test centre, and if something is wrong, contact FSMB right away. You can’t take the exam without a scheduling permit.
4. Book through Prometric
Go to the Prometric website and use the details on your scheduling permit to look for open appointments. Pick a test centre and date that fall inside your eligibility period. You can’t book too early, since scheduling opens only up to six months before your eligibility period starts.
5. Confirm your appointment details
After booking, double-check your exam date, time and test centre. Keep your scheduling permit and your appointment confirmation handy until exam day.
Important for IMGs: Since January 12, 2026, FSMB has been handling USMLE Step exam services for IMGs, including registration and scheduling permits. MyIntealth remains relevant for your ECFMG Certification, but USMLE exam applications are no longer submitted there.
USMLE Eligibility Period and Scheduling Window
When you apply for a USMLE exam, you have to pick a three-month eligibility period, and the exam needs to be taken within those months. Which exact date you get depends on what’s open at the test centre you want.
Sometimes plans change, and you can’t make it in time. In that case, you can ask for a one-time extension of another three months, which starts right when your original period ends.
You’ll need to send the request within 25 days after your original period is over, and there’s a US$70 processing fee (around INR 6,642) that you won’t get back.
A few things that are good to know before you pick your dates:
Once your application is submitted, the eligibility period can’t be changed, so it’s worth thinking about how much prep time you really need before you choose.
Your first-choice date or centre may already be full, which is why booking early in your window helps.
The extension request can only be made after your scheduling permit is available, so don’t wait till the last day to sort it out.
If you miss both your original period and the extension, you’ll probably have to apply again with a new fee, since USMLE fees can’t be refunded or moved to another application.
One more thing to keep in mind: extending your eligibility period and changing a booked appointment are not the same.
If you’ve already booked a slot, you’ll have to cancel or reschedule it with Prometric separately, and they charge a change fee if your appointment is 45 days away or less.
USMLE Exam Centres in India and Worldwide
Indian medical students and graduates can take USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK at authorised Prometric USMLE exam centres in India, so there’s no need to travel abroad for these two exams.
The centres are in prominent cities, but locations and open slots can change, so it’s best to check before you plan anything.
List of USMLE Exam Centres in India
Prometric holds USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK in prominent cities like:
Delhi NCR (Gurugram)
Mumbai
Bengaluru
Chennai
Hyderabad
Kolkata
Ahmedabad
The exact address and open dates show up when you search for appointments on Prometric’s official USMLE page. So before you plan your travel, check that live listing, because a city being on the list doesn’t always mean a slot is free on your dates.
ID and permit: Carry your scheduling permit on exam day, along with an ID that matches the name on it.
Can You Take the USMLE in Another Country?
Yes. Step 1 and Step 2 CK are also held at Prometric centres in other countries, and you choose your testing region while applying. If you need to change your testing region later, check the current USMLE instructions before making the request.
What about Step 3? It’s held only at Prometric test centres in United States and its territories, so if you’re based in India, you’ll need to travel to US to take it.
What to Do If No USMLE Exam Slots Are Available
Finding no open slots at your preferred test centre is frustrating, but you have several options. Seats often open up when other candidates cancel or reschedule, so it’s worth checking again.
Check Prometric every day: New seats can appear without warning, especially after cancellations.
Try other centres: If your usual centre is full, look at test centres in nearby cities. Make sure you can travel there before you book.
Search your whole eligibility period: Check every date inside your window on your scheduling permit, not just one week.
Watch the 46-day rule: Changes made 46 or more days before your test are free. Many candidates reschedule around this point, so check for openings then.
Request an extension if you need more time: If your window is ending and you still can’t book a workable date, you can request a one-time, three-month extension through the FSMB USMLE portal. The request must be submitted no later than 25 days after your original eligibility period ends. The extension must start the day after your current window ends, and it costs a non-refundable $70.
Please Note: You can only request an extension after your original scheduling permit is available. If your appointment is 45 or fewer days away, you may also need to cancel or change it with Prometric, and a change fee may apply.
How to Check USMLE Exam Dates?
Since USMLE does not publish a list of exam dates, you choose your own date after you apply, and the dates you can pick depend on your eligibility period.
Your eligibility period is a window of about three months. It’s shown on your scheduling permit, which you get once your application is processed.
To see what’s open:
Log in to the Prometric website.
Pick a test centre.
Look at the calendar for dates inside your window.
Note the open dates and times that work for you.
Seats change all the time. When someone cancels or moves their test, a seat opens up. So a date that’s full today might be free next week. If you want a specific date, check every few days and look at more than one centre.
Only dates inside your eligibility period can be booked. If you need a date after that, you’ll have to request an extension.
USMLE Exam Scheduling Fees
Booking your exam has one main cost, the registration fee. After that, a few things can add to it: changing your test date at the last minute, or asking for more time within your eligibility period.
Extension fee
If you can’t test within your eligibility period, you can request one extension of three months. It costs a non-refundable $70 (about ₹6,647) and is paid through the FSMB USMLE portal.
Rescheduling or cancelling
The fee depends on how many days are left before your test:
46 days or more: free (₹0)
31 to 45 days: $35 (about ₹3,323)
6 to 30 days: $100 (about ₹9,495)
5 days or fewer: a higher fee, which depends on your testing region
Please Note: Fees can change- check usmle.org and the Prometric site before you plan your budget. Rupee amounts are calculated at ₹94.95 per US dollar.
Booking a USMLE exam takes two steps. First you apply to USMLE and get a scheduling permit. Then you use that permit to pick a test date on Prometric.
What is a scheduling permit?
A scheduling permit is the document that allows you to book your exam. Once your application is approved, USMLE issues it to you. It shows:
Your scheduling ID
Your approved eligibility period, which is the window in which you must test
You need it to log in to Prometric and book a date. Keep it safe, because you’ll use it every time you book, change or cancel your appointment.
Part 1: Apply
Go to usmle.org and find the registration portal for your situation. Check which one applies to you.
Create an account and fill in your personal and academic details.
Choose the exam you want to take: Step 1, Step 2 CK or Step 3.
Pick a three-month eligibility period.
Pay the registration fee and submit your application.
Part 2: Book your date
Wait for your application to be processed. You’ll receive your scheduling permit.
Go to the Prometric website and log in using your scheduling permit details.
Choose a test centre, then pick a date and time inside your eligibility period.
Confirm the booking and save your confirmation.
Please Note: Your booking must fall inside your eligibility period. Popular centres and months fill up quickly, so book as soon as you have your permit.
If you are an Indian student or graduate, you apply as an International Medical Graduate (IMG). Here is what you need:
Before you apply
You’ll need your full legal name, date of birth, national ID number and contact details. Use the same details everywhere, including on the ID you carry on test day.
If you’re an IMG, you first create a MyIntealth account for identity checks and ECFMG Certification. Then you link it to a Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) account, which is where you sign up for the Steps.
IMGs also need Form 186. You download it from the portal and get it notarised online. For this you’ll need your passport and a webcam.
Have your medical school’s name, your dates of study and your graduation details ready.
If you’re still a student, your school confirms your enrolment online. If it can’t, you send a signed and stamped Form 183.
If you’ve graduated, you upload a scan of your final medical diploma and your final transcript to the portal.
On test day
Bring your passport. Your name on it has to match your registration exactly.
Bring a second ID that shows your photo and your signature. Aadhaar may not be accepted because it doesn’t have a signature, so check this before you go.
Bring a printed copy of your scheduling permit. The staff use it to check your scheduling ID before they let you in.
Note: Your name has to match across your passport, your registration and your school records. Capital letters don’t usually matter. A spelling difference, or an initial where your full middle name should be, can stop you from testing, and you may lose your fee.
Conclusion
USMLE exam dates are not fixed, so you need to plan your own timeline. You pick a three-month eligibility period when you apply, then book a day at a Prometric centre inside that window. Apply early, because good slots go quickly, and check that your name matches across your passport, registration and school records before you book.
If you’re an Indian student, allow extra time for the MyIntealth account and Form 186, as these steps can take a while. Keep your scheduling permit safe, and make any date change early, since late changes cost more.
Most delays come from paperwork, not from the exam itself. Applicants often wait until they feel ready before they look at dates, and by then the good slots have gone. Apply early, check that your name matches across every document, and give yourself time for steps like Form 186, which can take longer than you expect.
If you want help working out a realistic budget and timeline for your situation, or need other help with your study abroad journey, you canbook a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’sstudy abroad experts today.
FAQs
1. Is there a PDF with USMLE Step 1 exam dates for 2026?
No. There isn’t an official PDF with 2026 dates. You pick your own day on Prometric, and seats keep changing as people cancel or move their tests. A calendar you download would be out of date within days. Once you have your permit, check Prometric directly.
2. Can I see 2026 USMLE exam dates before I apply?
You can often look at open seats on the Prometric website before you apply. But a seat isn’t yours until you book it with your scheduling details. So a seat you see today might be gone tomorrow. Check again once you have your permit.
3. Which month is best for USMLE Part 1 exam dates?
There isn’t one best month. Pick the three-month window that matches when you expect to be ready. Then try to book early in that window. Big cities and busy months fill up first, so booking early gives you more choice.
4. Can I take USMLE at a Prometric centre in India?
Yes. Prometric has centres in several Indian cities. The list changes from time to time, so check the current ones on the Prometric website. Pick a centre you can reach easily, especially if your test starts early in the morning.
5. What time zone are USMLE exam dates shown in?
Your appointment time is shown in the local time of the test centre. If you’re booking from India, that time can look confusing at first. Look at the time on your confirmation and work out what it is in India time (IST). Then set your reminders and plan your travel around that.
6. Is USMLE Step 1 pass or fail test?
Yes, step 1 is a pass or fail test, so you don’t get a score number. Step 2 CK does give a score. Scoring rules can change, so check usmle.org for the latest details.
7. Can I take Step 1 and Step 2 CK on the same day?
You book each exam separately, and each one has its own permit. Both are long tests, so most people take them on different days. Leave enough time between them to rest and study.
8. Can I change my test centre after I book?
Yes, you can change it on Prometric. The new date and centre still have to fall inside your eligibility period. Depending on how close your test date is, there may be a fee, so check the fees section above first.
9. What happens if I miss my test date?
If you don’t turn up and you haven’t cancelled, it’s counted as a no-show. You could lose your fee and run into problems with your eligibility. If you think you won’t make it, contact Prometric as early as possible.
10. How long does a scheduling permit take after I apply?
It depends on how quickly your application and documents are checked. Some people get their permit fast, and others wait longer. Send complete documents from the start to avoid delays. Check usmle.org for current processing times.
11. Do I need a US visa to take Step 3?
Step 3 is taken in United States, so you’ll usually need a visa or the right entry papers. USMLE doesn’t issue visas. Ask US embassy or consulate in your country what you need, and apply early, because appointments can take weeks.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |5055 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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