USMLE Step 3 Exam
Please follow the instructions below to register for your Step 3 examination. Register for this approx 100 days prior to when you want to
take the exam to allow enough time for processing. Once you receive your “ticket” in the mail/email, it allows you to call Prometrics and
register for a date. This ticket is only good for 90 days (you are allowed a 1 time extension for $65). You will need to take and pass Step 3
prior to being allowed to apply for your permanent state medical license.
You need to take the examination prior to the start of your PGY 3 year.
You will not use “IL” as the state you are registering under. This is because in order to take Step 3 under the “jurisdiction” of IL, you
must also register for your permanent IL state license at the same time. That application is cumbersome, costly, and time consuming and
has been a huge reason why residents have delayed taking their Step 3 (also, you might not want to stay in IL after you graduate). You will
register for your permanent state license during your PGY 3 year when you know where you will be practicing medicine after graduation.
You should register under the jurisdiction (rules) of CA because their rules are pretty lenient. You may also choose one of the other
states listed below, just remember which one you chose since you will need that information when registering for your permanent license
next year. By indicating CA as the jurisdiction, you can still take the test in IL and practice in IL after graduation, it is not necessary for
you to have ever even visited CA, you are just stating that you like their rules. Please note that you are being considered a “non IL
applicant” which is not a big deal.
This exam is 2 days and does not need to be consecutive days, but must be taken no more than 14 calendar days apart.
Please refer to the Housestaff Handbook (on our website) regarding scheduling this exam:
http://www.stritch.luc.edu/medicine/sites/default/files/site_hsd_medicine/housestaffhandbookjuly202015_0.pdf
Below are the instructions from our GME office:
Non-Illinois Applicants (that is YOU!)
If you do not plan to be permanently licensed in Illinois, this method is recommended. The exam is computer based, so you will
actually be able to take your Step 3 exam in Illinois at a Prometrics facility.
The following states do not require license application or any additional forms at the time you register for Step 3:
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Maryland
Nebraska
Nevada
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Rhode Island
Texas
Utah
Virginia
West Virginia
Please read the instructions for each state at the USMLE website – different rules apply for International Medical Graduates.
Osteopaths, please refer to the end of this document
Start at this website: http://www.fsmb.org/licensure/usmle-step-3/
Guidelines for completing the USMLE Step 3 application: Alba Isaj is our program coordinator who is your liaison with
mailing these documents.
1. Question 1: Use the country code for one of the states listed above given in the instructions for Step 3- we prefer
California. This state’s name also needs to be used on Page 3 of the application as the Licensing authority for which the test
is being taken.
2. Question 2: fee $815 (subject to change) online by credit card.
3. There are two sets of codes for Questions 9 and 10. Be sure to refer to codes provided in instructions.
4. Even if you are applying online, you will need to print out Page 3, affix a photograph
and mail Page 3 to the address below. The Department of Medicine will mail this for you so we can track it!
5. Both the photograph and your signature will have to be notarized. Do not sign Page 3 until you are in front of the
Notary.
The application, if sending hardcopy, or just the notarized Page 3 of the application, should be mailed to:
Federation of State Medical Boards
Exam Services
400 Fuller Wiser Road, Suite 300
Euless, Texas 76039
The Department of Medicine will mail this for you so we can track it!
There are several Notary Publics throughout the institution. There is one in the GME/COS office, and several people in the Legal
Department are also Notaries. Check with your Program Coordinator to see if there is one in your department. If you need more
information, feel free to call the GME/COS office at 708-327-4463.
Once your application is approved, the testing services will send you an e-mail indicating that you have been approved and that
information regarding your electronic scheduling permit will be forthcoming. Within 3-5 business days, a subsequent e-mail will be sent
to you with instructions on obtaining and printing your electronic scheduling permit. You will have 90 days which begins immediately
upon approval of your application in which to make an appointment and take the exam. Call to schedule as soon as you get your permit
as the slots fill quickly.
In the future, when you apply for licensure in any state, you will need to request a transcript of your results send to the licensure board in
that (those) state(s). Transcripts of your USMLE scores are available through EBHAR (Examination and Board History Report).
Scores may be requested online at https://secure.fsmb.org/trol/. Transcripts requested online may be paid for with a credit card. Or you
may access and print out a paper application at: http://www.fsmb.org/pdf/EBAHR_Form_Instructions.pdf. Complete the Request for
Examination and Board Action History Report and mail to the address for FSMB shown above. The current fees for up to two copies of
your scores is $65. One copy must be sent directly to the state licensing board. You may request an additional copy to be sent to
yourself for this same fee. Your signature on the paper transcript request must be notarized.
If you are a D.O. please download the form for your COMLEX scores from www.nbome.org and follow the instructions.
Refer to the updated Addendum of Information Bulletin for current information:
http://www.fsmb.org/Media/Default/PDF/USMLE/USMLEStep3_2014_BOI.pdf
(Despite what it says, you still need to register under the jurisdiction of California. If you choose IL as your state, you will have to apply
for a permanent license at the same time.)
Day 1
Step 3 Foundations of Independent Practice (FIP):
This test day will focus on assessing an applicant’s knowledge of
basic medical and scientific principles essential for effective
health care. Content areas covered will include application of
foundational sciences; understanding of biostatistics and
epidemiology/population health, and interpretation of the
medical literature; and application of social sciences, including
communication and interpersonal skills, medical ethics,
systems-based practice and patient safety. The test day will also
assess an applicant’s knowledge of diagnosis and management
particularly focused on knowledge of history and physical
examination, diagnosis, and use of diagnostic studies. This test
day will consist solely of multiple-choice questions and will
include some of the newer item formats, such as those based on
scientific abstracts and pharmaceutical advertisements.
Approximately 260 multiple-choice test questions, divided into
60-minute blocks, each block containing approximately 44
questions.
Day 2
Step 3 Advanced Clinical Medicine (ACM):
This test day will focus on assessing an applicant’s ability to
apply comprehensive knowledge of health
and disease in the context of patient management and the
evolving manifestation of disease over
time. Content areas covered will include assessment of
knowledge of diagnosis and management
particularly focused on prognosis and outcome, health
maintenance and screening, therapeutics, and
medical decision-making. Knowledge of history and physical
examination, diagnosis, and use of
diagnostic studies will also be assessed. This test day will
include multiple-choice questions and
computer-based case simulations.
Approximately 200 multiple-choice test questions, divided into 45minute blocks, each block containing approximately 33 questions.
Thirteen computer-based case simulations. Each simulation is allotted
10 or 20 minutes of maximum real time.