Below is information about registering for Step 1 and links to other important information. Taking and passing the USMLE Step 1 exam is required to advance into third-year clinical clerkships. Step 1 is a national examination needed for your graduation and eventual licensure.
You can register for Step 1 after the middle of September by logging in to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Unless you have previously applied for a USMLE examination, you should click on the “First-Time User” link in the login text box and follow the instructions for accessing your USMLE ID number.
CAMPUS DESIGNATION
When signing up, please make sure that when you register for the exam you choose the campus where you completed Phase 1 of the curriculum. The default may be for the Indianapolis campus designation (015010) so please make the proper adjustment on the drop-down menu. Here are the options that you will see:
- Indiana University School of Medicine (015010) - Indianapolis Students
- Indiana U School of Medicine Bloomington (015011)
- Indiana U School of Medicine Evansville (015012)
- Indiana U School of Medicine Fort Wayne (015013)
- Indiana U School of Med Northwest Gary (015014)
- Indiana U School of Medicine Muncie (015015)
- Indiana U School of Medicine South Bend (015016)
- Indiana U School of Medicine Terre Haute (015017)
- Indiana U School of Medicine W Lafayette (015018)
NOTE: If you make a mistake, please contact the IU School of Medicine Registrar to have your enrollment moved to the proper campus.
An example screenshot from that page is below:
VERIFICATION
The USMLE has continued the practice of allowing electronic verification of the required ID certification forms for USMLE Step exams. All ID certification forms for IUSM students will be completed electronically.
Your form must meet the requirements below before they can be signed by an authorized signer and submitted to the USMLE:
- The form must contain your photo.
- The form must contain your handwritten signature.
The USMLE has waived the requirement for you to appear in person to have the form certified, along with the requirement for the form to have the raised school seal over the student photo.
Once you have completed your portion of the form and added your photo and handwritten signature, scan and send it to the appropriate authorized signer for your campus https://medicine.iu.edu/mse/education/phase-1/usmle-certification.
One of the School’s authorized signers will sign the form electronically and send it to the USMLE on your behalf. You will receive an email from the authorized signer confirming that the form has been sent to the USMLE.
ELIGIBILITY PERIOD
When you complete your application, you will designate a 3-month period in which you plan on sitting for the exam. This is your “period of eligibility”. Most students should designate March-April-May. Step 1 is administered at commercial Prometric testing centers located throughout the state (and country). A scheduling permit will be issued after your Step 1 application has been processed by the NBME and verified by IUSM. You may schedule your test date with Prometric after receiving your scheduling permit.
ACCOMODATIONS
Students who plan to apply for accommodations for Step 1 are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The NBME can take a minimum of 60 business days (three months) to review applications for accommodations. Reach out to Beth Tidball for help with your accommodation application.
NOTE: Students with approved accommodations from IUSM are not guaranteed accommodations by the NBME.
EXAM COSTS & FINANCIAL AID
The cost for Step 1 is $680. The financial aid Cost of Attendance (COA) for Phase 1 Year 2 includes the resources to pay for the exam and study materials. The COA is split evenly between the two semesters so financial aid is also disbursed evenly.
RESOURCES
RELATED POLICIES
