The USMLE's approach to Designated Testing Dates has been accelerated from 2028 to January 2029. Limits the three Step exams to a set USMLE testing calendar. On August 6th, 2026, USMLE announced the adjustment, in an effort to give schools enough time to make necessary policy changes and course adjustments. Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 3 continue with on-demand testing. Eligibility requirements stay the same and score reporting should too. The planned 2028 calendar lists 45 testing days a year across all three Steps. USMLE says that number will most likely hold. On those days, Prometric testing centers serve only Step exam takers. USMLE calls the decision final. USMLE Timeline: What Happened and When USMLE shared three updates in 2026. Date Event June 23, 2026 USMLE announced limited testing dates for 2028, with 45 days across all three Steps. July 10, 2026 USMLE confirmed that Prometric centers will serve only Step exam takers on designated dates. August 6, 2026 USMLE moved the start to January 2029 and planned an implementation panel. January 2029 Designated Testing Dates begin. USMLE says it will share updates quarterly on its information hub. Why Did USMLE Delay the Transition to 2029? USMLE heard from the medical education community and gave schools more time to adjust. A fixed calendar is a challenge for schools, as curricula, study periods and student progress are all linked to exam timing. The model is defined by Exam security. Smaller number of testing days reduces the opportunity of sharing exposed questions. Thus maintaining the score's validity, standardization and fairness. USMLE held community engagement sessions in summer 2026 and used the feedback to set the new date. USMLE says the decision is final. Only the timing changed. Speak to Expert What Changes and What Stays the Same Most of what you know about booking a Step exam holds until January 2029. After that, the calendar shrinks to a fixed set of days. Stays the same until January 2029 Changes from January 2029 Year-round Prometric appointments Step exams run only on designated dates Eligibility requirements The 2028 plan lists 45 test days a year Exam content and blueprints Prometric centers serve only Step takers on those days Score reports: often 2 to 4 weeks, but allow 8 USMLE posts each year's dates over a year ahead No action needed from examinees Rescheduling and retake seats may vary by date and place USMLE says the basic registration steps stay in place and you must still follow the Bulletin of Information. Eligibility period length and rescheduling rules may change. USMLE has not finished those details and it says Step 2 CK will not be offered in some months, though it has not named them for 2029. How the Delay Affects Each Test-Taker The delay matters most if you plan to test in 2029 or later. Test-taker Impact Status Testing before January 2029 No change. Book as usual. Confirmed US students testing in 2029 or later Fixed dates can shape dedicated study periods, academic milestones and progression Partly confirmed IMGs USMLE plans more Prometric centers and better worldwide access Promised; details pending Examinees needing accommodations Multi-day testing continues. It starts on a designated date and extra days run past the calendar. Confirmed; scheduling still being refined Missed Dates A fixed calendar leaves little room for slips. If you miss your date, you may wait for the next one and USMLE has not said how long that wait could last. Retakes USMLE says a retake may not land on your preferred date, time, or center. It is working with Prometric to add capacity. USMLE has not said how many seats each date will hold. IMG Travel USMLE says it will add Prometric testing centers and improve worldwide access for all examinees. It has not named locations or capacity by region. IMGs testing in 2029 or later should hold off on firm travel plans until it does. Accommodations Accommodated testing starts on a designated date and the remaining days run outside the published calendar. USMLE is still refining how this scheduling will work. US Students USMLE links exam timing to progression, graduation planning and residency transitions. Once it posts the 2029 calendar, check it against your rotation schedule before you pick a dedicated study period. A date that falls during an away rotation leaves little room to shift. Ask your dean's office now whether the school plans to change timing rules. What Medical Schools and Advisors Should Do USMLE gave schools extra time on purpose and three moves put it to use. Action Reason Review policies that limit when students can sit for a Step USMLE urges schools to ease restrictive policies and consider other progression measures Pull the school resource guide from the MyNBME Services Portal through your User Account Administrator The reports show student testing patterns and test center use Re-map dedicated study periods and clerkship schedules once USMLE posts the calendar Timing links to progression, graduation and residency transitions USMLE planned an implementation panel with representatives from across the medical education community. It invites schools and examinees to send concerns and suggestions. Advisors should quote the August 6 date, since many older guides still say 2028. Plan my USMLE Action Checklist: What to Do Now Now Keep booking as usual if you test before January 2029. Bookmark the USMLE Designated Testing Dates hub and join the USMLE newsletter. Read your school's rules on when you must pass each Step. When USMLE posts the 2029 calendar Match your exam target to your clerkship and residency timeline. Choose an alternate date in case of cancellation of your first date. Book early once the calendar opens, because seats may vary by date and place. Confirm your school's clearance rules for taking a Step. If you need accommodations Request early and plan for multi-day scheduling. If you are an IMG Compare new center locations with your visa and travel timeline before you book. Get my Study Plan What Is Still Unknown USMLE has not yet published these details and each one affects your planning: The 2029 calendar and its exact number of days Which months Step 2 CK will skip Eligibility period length and rescheduling rules New Prometric centers and capacity by region How accommodated testing will work day to day What the implementation panel recommends Treat any month-by-month 2029 schedule you see online as a guess. We will update this page when USMLE posts the 2029 calendar.
The USMLE's approach to Designated Testing Dates has been accelerated from 2028 to January 2029. Limits the three Step exams to a set USMLE testing calendar. On August 6th, 2026, USMLE announced the adjustment, in an effort to give schools enough time to make necessary policy changes and course adjustments. Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 3 continue with on-demand testing. Eligibility requirements stay the same and score reporting should too. The planned 2028 calendar lists 45 testing days a year across all three Steps. USMLE says that number will most likely hold. On those days, Prometric testing centers serve only Step exam takers. USMLE calls the decision final. USMLE Timeline: What Happened and When USMLE shared three updates in 2026. Date Event June 23, 2026 USMLE announced limited testing dates for 2028, with 45 days across all three Steps. July 10, 2026 USMLE confirmed that Prometric centers will serve only Step exam takers on designated dates. August 6, 2026 USMLE moved the start to January 2029 and planned an implementation panel. January 2029 Designated Testing Dates begin. USMLE says it will share updates quarterly on its information hub. Why Did USMLE Delay the Transition to 2029? USMLE heard from the medical education community and gave schools more time to adjust. A fixed calendar is a challenge for schools, as curricula, study periods and student progress are all linked to exam timing. The model is defined by Exam security. Smaller number of testing days reduces the opportunity of sharing exposed questions. Thus maintaining the score's validity, standardization and fairness. USMLE held community engagement sessions in summer 2026 and used the feedback to set the new date. USMLE says the decision is final. Only the timing changed. Speak to Expert What Changes and What Stays the Same Most of what you know about booking a Step exam holds until January 2029. After that, the calendar shrinks to a fixed set of days. Stays the same until January 2029 Changes from January 2029 Year-round Prometric appointments Step exams run only on designated dates Eligibility requirements The 2028 plan lists 45 test days a year Exam content and blueprints Prometric centers serve only Step takers on those days Score reports: often 2 to 4 weeks, but allow 8 USMLE posts each year's dates over a year ahead No action needed from examinees Rescheduling and retake seats may vary by date and place USMLE says the basic registration steps stay in place and you must still follow the Bulletin of Information. Eligibility period length and rescheduling rules may change. USMLE has not finished those details and it says Step 2 CK will not be offered in some months, though it has not named them for 2029. How the Delay Affects Each Test-Taker The delay matters most if you plan to test in 2029 or later. Test-taker Impact Status Testing before January 2029 No change. Book as usual. Confirmed US students testing in 2029 or later Fixed dates can shape dedicated study periods, academic milestones and progression Partly confirmed IMGs USMLE plans more Prometric centers and better worldwide access Promised; details pending Examinees needing accommodations Multi-day testing continues. It starts on a designated date and extra days run past the calendar. Confirmed; scheduling still being refined Missed Dates A fixed calendar leaves little room for slips. If you miss your date, you may wait for the next one and USMLE has not said how long that wait could last. Retakes USMLE says a retake may not land on your preferred date, time, or center. It is working with Prometric to add capacity. USMLE has not said how many seats each date will hold. IMG Travel USMLE says it will add Prometric testing centers and improve worldwide access for all examinees. It has not named locations or capacity by region. IMGs testing in 2029 or later should hold off on firm travel plans until it does. Accommodations Accommodated testing starts on a designated date and the remaining days run outside the published calendar. USMLE is still refining how this scheduling will work. US Students USMLE links exam timing to progression, graduation planning and residency transitions. Once it posts the 2029 calendar, check it against your rotation schedule before you pick a dedicated study period. A date that falls during an away rotation leaves little room to shift. Ask your dean's office now whether the school plans to change timing rules. What Medical Schools and Advisors Should Do USMLE gave schools extra time on purpose and three moves put it to use. Action Reason Review policies that limit when students can sit for a Step USMLE urges schools to ease restrictive policies and consider other progression measures Pull the school resource guide from the MyNBME Services Portal through your User Account Administrator The reports show student testing patterns and test center use Re-map dedicated study periods and clerkship schedules once USMLE posts the calendar Timing links to progression, graduation and residency transitions USMLE planned an implementation panel with representatives from across the medical education community. It invites schools and examinees to send concerns and suggestions. Advisors should quote the August 6 date, since many older guides still say 2028. Plan my USMLE Action Checklist: What to Do Now Now Keep booking as usual if you test before January 2029. Bookmark the USMLE Designated Testing Dates hub and join the USMLE newsletter. Read your school's rules on when you must pass each Step. When USMLE posts the 2029 calendar Match your exam target to your clerkship and residency timeline. Choose an alternate date in case of cancellation of your first date. Book early once the calendar opens, because seats may vary by date and place. Confirm your school's clearance rules for taking a Step. If you need accommodations Request early and plan for multi-day scheduling. If you are an IMG Compare new center locations with your visa and travel timeline before you book. Get my Study Plan What Is Still Unknown USMLE has not yet published these details and each one affects your planning: The 2029 calendar and its exact number of days Which months Step 2 CK will skip Eligibility period length and rescheduling rules New Prometric centers and capacity by region How accommodated testing will work day to day What the implementation panel recommends Treat any month-by-month 2029 schedule you see online as a guess. We will update this page when USMLE posts the 2029 calendar.
