USMLE Exam Fees 2026-27

The USMLE Exam Fees for 2026 are $695 (₹66,500) for Step 1, $695 (₹66,500) for Step 2 CK, and $955 (₹91,400) for Step 3. Indian students also need to pay an additional region fee of $210 (₹20,100) for Step 1 and $235 (₹22,500) for Step 2 CK because these exams are taken outside the US and Canada.

But the exam fees are only part of the total cost. Indian students also need to budget for ECFMG certification, travel, accommodation, study materials and other expenses. 

This article covers the latest USMLE fees and the overall cost you should plan for.

USMLE Exam Fees in India

For 2026 the USMLE Exam Fees are $695 (₹64,800) for Step 1 $695 (₹64,800) for Step 2 CK and $955 (₹88,900) for Step 3. These are the application fees listed by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).

Indian students also pay a region fee for Step 1. Step 2 CK because these exams are taken outside the US and Canada. The region fee is $210 (₹19,600) for Step 1 and $235 (₹21,900) for Step 2 CK. This region fee is separate, from the USMLE application fee.

USMLE Step	Exam Fee in USD	Approximate Fee in INR
Step 1	$695	₹64,800
Step 2 CK	$695	₹64,800
Step 3	$955	₹88,900

INR conversion used: $1=₹93.2. Actual INR values may change with the exchange rate.

Let us talk about the USMLE Steps;

USMLE Step 1 Exam Fee:

The USMLE Step 1 Exam Fee is $695 (₹64,800) in the year 2026. The students from India who take the exam outside the United States and Canada have to pay a $210 (₹19,600) fee as well. When you add that fee the USMLE Step 1 fee becomes $905 (₹84,300) before you pay for anything else.

USMLE Step 2 CK Fee:

The USMLE Step 2 CK fee is $695 (₹64,800) for 2026. If you are a student taking USMLE Step 2 CK outside the United States and Canada you must also pay a $235 (₹21,900) fee. This means the total USMLE Step 2 CK fee and the regional fee will be $930 (₹86,700) before any other expenses come up.

USMLE Step 3 Fee:

The USMLE Step 3 Exam fee is $955 (₹88,900) in 2026. One thing to note is that USMLE Step 3 is different from USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 CK because USMLE Step 3 is only available within the United States and its territories. Please keep in mind that the USMLE Step 3 fee is non‑refundable. You cannot move the USMLE Step 3 fee to a time or a new application.

Also Read: USMLE Exam Dates 2026: Complete Schedule and Updates

USMLE Exam Cost for Indian Students 

The USMLE Exam Fees for Indian students are much more than the fees for the three USMLE Steps. The Indian students also need to plan for the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification, travel, study materials and medical residency applications. The total USMLE exam cost will change based on which USMLE Steps Indian students take and how much money is spent on preparation and travel.

For 2026 the main Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates charges include $580 (₹53,900) for the Application for Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates Certification, $220 (₹20,500), for verification and $110 (₹10,200) to set up a MyIntealth Applicant Portal account.

The main expenses that Indian students should plan for are:

Expense	Estimated Cost in USD	Approximate Cost in INR
United States Medical Licensing Examination fees	$2,345	₹2.18 lakh
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification	$910	₹84,600
Travel and accommodation	$1,000–$2,500	₹93,000–₹2.33 lakh
Study materials and preparation	$300–$2,000	₹27,900–₹1.86 lakh
Medical residency application	$500–$3,000+	₹46,500–₹2.79 lakh+

INR conversion used: $1 =₹93. Actual INR values may change with exchange rates.

Note: Travel, preparation and medical residency application figures are approximate planning estimates. 

ECFMG Certification Costs

The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification process is an important part of the United States medical residency pathway for international medical graduates. The main 2026 costs are:

ECFMG Certification Expense	Fee in USD	Approximate Cost in INR
Application for ECFMG Certification	$580	₹53,900
Credential verification	$220	₹20,500
MyIntealth Applicant Portal account	$110	₹10,200

The $220 (₹53,900) credential verification fee covers verification of the final medical diploma and final medical school transcript. Each document has a fee of $110 (₹10,200).

Your medical school may also charge a separate fee for checking and verifying your documents. This amount is not fixed by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. 

Travel and Preparation Costs

Travel and preparation can also add a good amount to the total USMLE budget. Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge can be taken at available test centres outside the United States and Canada, while Step 3 is offered only in the United States and its territories.

Expense	Estimated Cost in USD	Approximate Cost in INR
Travel and accommodation	$1,000–$2,500	₹93,000–₹2.33 lakh
Study materials and preparation	$300–$2,000	₹27,900–₹1.86 lakh

These are only approximate costs, so your actual spending may be lower or higher.

Medical Residency Application Costs

After completing the required examinations and certification steps, international medical graduates may apply for medical residency programmes in the United States. The Electronic Residency Application Service is used to send residency applications and supporting documents to programmes. 

For the 2027 application season, the Electronic Residency Application Service Residency Token costs $185 (₹17,200). The token fee is non-refundable. 

Residency Expense	Estimated Cost in USD	Approximate Cost in INR
Electronic Residency Application Service Residency Token	$185	₹17,200
Residency applications and related costs	$500–$3,000+	₹46,500–₹2.79 lakh+

The total residency application cost depends mainly on the number of programmes you apply to. You may also have other expenses during the application process, so it is better to keep some extra money aside.

Must check: USMLE Exam Eligibility 2026

USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Fees

For 2026 the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 fee is $695 (₹64,635) and the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) fee is also $695 (₹64,635). Indian students taking these exams outside the United States and Canada also pay a region fee. It is $210 (₹19,530) for Step 1 and $235 (₹21,855) for Step 2 CK. The region fee is not part of the USMLE fee.

Step	Exam Fee	Additional Charge
Step 1	$695(₹64,635)	$210 region fee (₹19,530)
Step 2 Clinical Knowledge	$695(₹64,635)	$235 region fee (₹21,855)

INR conversion used: $1 = ₹93. Actual INR values may change with exchange rates.

For students taking the exams in India, an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is also collected on Step 1 and Step 2 exams taken in India. The USMLE programme. Sends this tax to the Indian government.

USMLE Step 3 Fees and Registration

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 fee is $955 (₹88,800) for 2026. The fee is non-refundable. Cannot be transferred to another eligibility period or application. Step 3 is offered in the United States and its territories.

Step 3 Fee Component	Cost in USD	Approximate Cost in INR
Step 3 application fee	$955	₹88,800
Eligibility period extension	$70	₹6,510
Score recheck	$80	₹7,440

INR conversion used: $1 = ₹93. Actual INR values may change with exchange rates.

Step 3 Registration Fee

The USMLE Step 3 registration fee is $955 (₹88,800) for 2026. International medical graduates apply for Step 3 through the Federation of State Medical Boards after meeting the required eligibility rules.

The Step 3 application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Students should check their eligibility and exam dates before submitting the application and paying the fee.

Eligibility Requirements:

To apply for USMLE Step 3 students need to meet these requirements:

• Pass USMLE Step 1.

• Pass USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK).

• Have a medical degree.

• International medical graduates must have an unexpired Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certificate.

• Meet all other requirements listed in the USMLE Bulletin of Information.

The USMLE also recommends that Step 3 applicants have completed or be close to completing least one year of postgraduate medical training in an accredited United States graduate medical education programme.

Rescheduling and Testing Centre Charges:

Charge	Cost in USD	Approximate Cost in INR
Eligibility period extension	$70	₹6,510
Score recheck	$80	₹7,440
Testing centre charges	Based on the appointment	Check at booking
Rescheduling charges	Based on the appointment change	Check at booking

Students can request a one-time three-month extension of their eligibility period. The processing fee is $70 (₹6,510). A USMLE score recheck costs $80 (₹7,440).

Step 3 is available in the United States and its territories. Students should check the test centres and appointment rules before booking their exam.

Check: USMLE Exam Centres in India 2026

How to Register for the USMLE

The USMLE registration process is now slightly different for medical graduates. From January 2026 students and graduates of schools outside the United States apply for Step 1 Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 3 through the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) USMLE portal.

Follow these steps to register:

1. Check Your Eligibility:

Before applying check if you meet the requirements for the Step you want to take.

• Make sure your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and meets the required eligibility rules.

• Check the eligibility requirements for Step 1 Step 2 CK or Step 3.

• International medical graduates should also check their Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification requirements.

• For Step 3 you must have passed Step 1 and Step 2 CK. Meet the other eligibility rules.

2. Create Your Account and Submit the Application:

For medical graduates USMLE Step registration is handled through the FSMB USMLE portal from 2026.

• Access your required account.

• Select the USMLE Step you want to take.

• Enter your personal and medical education details.

• Provide the required documents and information.

• Review the details before submitting your application.

• Pay the required application fee.

3. Schedule Your Exam:

After your application is processed and you are eligible to test you can schedule your exam.

• Choose your eligibility period.

• Check testing centres and dates.

• Select a test date.

• Schedule the appointment through the required testing system.

• Keep your scheduling confirmation for reference.

USMLE Step 1 Step 2 CK and Step 3 are offered throughout the year. However you must take the exam within the eligibility period given to you. Test appointments are available on a come first-served basis.

4. Pay the Required Fees:

The application fee depends on the USMLE Step you are taking. For 2026 and 2027 the fee is $695 (₹64,635) for Step 1 $695 (₹64,635) for Step 2 CK and $955 (₹88,815) for Step 3. Students and graduates of schools outside the United States apply through FSMB.

How to Reduce Your USMLE Preparation Costs

The USMLE preparation cost can become high if you buy many books, courses or question banks. The good thing is that you do not need to spend a lot on every resource. The United States Medical Licensing Examination also provides free study materials, sample questions and practice tools for all three Steps.

1. Choose Study Resources Carefully:

You can save money by starting with the resources available on the official United States Medical Licensing Examination website.

• Use the USMLE Content Outline to see what topics you need to study.

• Practise with the free sample questions for each Step.

• Use the testing experience to understand how the exam software works.

• Do not buy books or courses just because other students use them.

• Compare the features. Cost before paying for a question bank or coaching course.

• Use one or two main resources properly of collecting too many materials.

2. Plan Your Exam Date in Advance:

Good planning can help you avoid costs. Before booking your exam check your preparation level. Make sure you can complete the exam, within your eligibility period.

• Check the exam dates before making your study plan.

• Give yourself time to prepare before booking.

• Check the test centre location and travel cost.

• Keep some time in your plan in case your preparation takes longer.

• Read the United States Medical Licensing Examination instructions before your exam date.

3. Avoid Unnecessary Rescheduling:

Changing your exam plans at the minute can add extra costs. Try to choose a date that gives you preparation time.

• Check your eligibility period before selecting an exam date.

• Make sure you can reach the test centre on time.

• Avoid booking an exam date just because it's available.

• Check the rescheduling rules before changing your appointment.

• Keep your study plan and exam date aligned.

Conclusion

The USMLE exam fees are only one part of the total cost for Indian students. In 2026, Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge cost $695 each (₹64,635), while Step 3 costs $955 (₹88,800). Students also need to budget for Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification, travel, study materials and medical residency applications. These extra costs can increase the total budget by a large amount. Before applying, check the latest fees, eligibility rules and exam dates on the official websites. Planning your exams early and choosing study resources carefully can also help you avoid unnecessary spending.

If you are still unsure, you can book a free counseling session with upGrad and seek professional guidance! We’d be happy to help you figure this out.