United States Medical Licensing Examination Eligibility Criteria 2026

Medical students or graduates can take the USMLE. Step 2 can be attempted between the third and fourth years of medical college. There is no fixed schedule; candidates select a three-month eligibility window for exam dates. Each USMLE Step can be attempted up to four times, with a mandatory six-month waiting period between retakes. For Step 3, additional eligibility criteria apply, as specified by the FSMB and NBME.