USMLE test dates: book within your eligibility period

The USMLE has no fixed national test dates. For Step 1 and Step 2 CK you choose a three-month eligibility period when you register, then book a day at a Prometric center within it. NBME’s 2026 fees cover eligibility periods starting from November 1, 2025 through October 1 to December 31, 2026.

Sources: NBME and USMLE. Checked October 11, 2026.

Planning your date

• Book early: popular centers fill up, especially in spring and summer.
• Check your school’s deadlines for clerkships or residency applications.
• Step 3 is scheduled through the FSMB and taken over two days.