The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is an important step for graduates of medical schools outside of the United States hoping to practice medicine there. This article describes the costs associated with prep and testing for USMLE, helping you plan and account for these costs.
What is the USMLE?
The USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is a three-step examination, taken by doctors who wish to practise medicine in the US.
This exam tests the candidates’ ability to apply and demonstrate the knowledge of medical terminology, concepts, principles, and procedures necessary for adequate patient care.
All new US doctors pass this test and it is comprised of three steps:
Step 1: Test basic sciences and medical knowledge.
Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge): Assesses clinical knowledge and skills.
Step 3: Evaluate the ability to apply medical knowledge in an unsupervised setting.
Breakdown of USMLE Costs
- USMLE Step 1 Cost The USMLE Step 1 costs somewhere in the realm of $500 dollars depending on where you take the test.
For U.S. and Canadian students: $685
For international students: $1,035
There is also an extra charge if you cancel an exam and want to reschedule, and if you’re taking the test in a country outside the US and Canada.
- USMLE Step 2 CK Cost
Similar to Step 1, the cost for Step 2 CK varies by location.
For U.S. and Canadian students: $685
For international students: $1,035
Again, rescheduling fees and international testing fees may apply.
- USMLE Step 3 Cost
The Step 3 exam is slightly more expensive.
For all students (U.S. and international): $895
This fee covers both days of the Step 3 examination.
Additional Costs to Consider
- Exam Rescheduling Fees If you want to change the date of your USMLE exam, you’ll have to pay extra depending on how far in advance you make the request:
31+ days before the exam: $0 (no fee)
5-30 days before the exam: $50
Less than 5 days before the exam: $104
- International Test Delivery Surcharge For those taking the USMLE outside the US and Canada, an international test delivery surcharge applies:
Step 1 and Step 2 CK: $180
Step 3: No international surcharge
- Test Preparation Costs However, preparation is also the key to do one’s best on the USMLE. It’s not uncommon to hear of a candidate who has purchased[USMLE] study guides, taken practice[exams] and tests, and purchased [courses] to help pass[the USMLE exam]. The costs for these supplemental materials can add up quickly.
Books and online resources: $200 – $1,000+
Prep courses: $1,000 – $4,000+
Practice exams: $40 – $100 per exam
- Travel and Accommodation If you’re taking the test in a different city or country to where you live, you’re going to also have travel and accommodation costs to consider:
Airfare: $200 – $1,500 (depending on location)
Hotel: $100 – $300 per night
- ECFMG Certification For foreign-trained physicians, such as international medical graduates, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certification is necessary. This certification also costs extra:
Application for ECFMG Certification: $160
USMLE Exam Application (for international candidates): $900 – $1,400
Other related fees: $65 – $450
Financial Aid and Payment Options
- Financial Assistance Programs These students can pay a reduced rate for the USMLE, thanks to the financial assistance programme of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), a non-profit organisation that oversees aspects of the USMLE. Students can cut over 50 per cent off the cost of the USMLE. So it might not be surprising that a 2011 article in the journal Academic Medicine reported that nearly 78 per cent of applicants who sat for a nearly identical standardised test for U.S. medical schools (called STEP) were successful. By comparison, about 30 per cent qualified using the USMLE. Much as SAT scores are billed as components of ‘college readiness’, NBME’s Comprehensive Basic Science Exam now portrays the USMLE as a symbol of ‘agility’: ‘the agile physician in training adapts to changing patient circumstances and shows the versatility to perform multiple tasks efficiently.’ Gaining expertise as a physician calls for an audacious ‘ability’ – a capacity for risk-taking and innovation that doesn’t fit ‘agile’.
- Payment Plans Some universities and exam preparation providers allow us to make payment in instalments to spread the cost of exam fees and study materials.
- Loans Given that many students who took the USMLE have educational loans (which typically covered tuition, living expenses and the cost of the USMLE), the Doctor proceedings are ultimately the starting point for healing.
Tips for Managing USMLE Costs
Budget Early: Start saving and planning for your USMLE costs well in advance.
Use Free Resources: Take advantage of free or low-cost study materials online.
Group Study: Form study groups to share the cost of expensive prep materials.
Watch for Deadlines: Be mindful of exam registration deadlines to avoid late fees.
Look for a scholarship or grant that can help pay for the exam.
FAQs About USMLE Cost
Q1: Can I get a refund if I cancel my USMLE exam?
A: Generally speaking, no refunds are given, but if you reschedule your test, there would be a fee, depending on how far in advance.
Q2: Are there any discounts available for USMLE fees?
Yes, in the U.S., all income-eligible medical students qualify for need-based financial assistance, while international students generally do not, although that is worth checking with each school about.
Q3: How much should I budget for the entire USMLE process?
A: US or international student? You can expect to spend between $3,000 and $7,000 for this entire process, from taking the exam to additional fees for preparation, all the way to travel and accommodation.
Q4: Are the costs for the USMLE the same worldwide?
A: Oh, was that the IELTS? Um. Well, US and Canada residents are exempt from the international student fee, and usually the highest fee scale. I don’t know what fees are like if you’re taking the IELTS in Hong Kong, but there is an extra surcharge for taking it outside of the US and Canada.
Q5: I missed the USMLE, can I test at a different time?
A: Yes, please contact your academic advisor to reschedule your exam. There will be an additional fee to do so based on how close you are to the exam date.
For any US medical student or graduate hoping to practise in the US, and these tests are consequential for the student who hopes to work abroad, it is important to understand these associated costs. With adequate planning and budgeting, not to mention a good deal of discipline and a sense of humour, you can avoid unnecessary stress over one of the most important milestones of your medical career.