A process change was made for the USMLE test accommodations. This takes effect from June 2026. All requests for test accommodations on the USMLE Step exams will go through NBME's MyUSMLE Portal. This applies to every examinee - US medical graduates, international medical graduates, and anyone with a request already in progress. The documentation requirements, review timelines and approval standards have not changed. What Is the New USMLE Test Accommodations Process? The US medical licensing exam program has moved its entire accommodation request process into one place. All requests for USMLE test accommodations - whether new, subsequent, or in progress - are now submitted through the MyUSMLE Portal, operated by NBME. This replaces the older process where examinees submitted requests by email or fax directly to Disability Services. The USMLE program made this change for two reasons: efficiency and transparency. The portal lets you track the status and history of your request in one place. That was not possible before. This applies to the USMLE Step 1 exam, USMLE Step 2 exam and Step 3. Who Does This Change Affect? This change affects every examinee who needs test accommodations. Here is what each group needs to do: Examinee Type What You Need to Do US Medical Graduate (USMG) Log into your existing MyUSMLE Portal account International Medical Graduate (IMG) Create a new MyUSMLE Portal account at usmle.org Examinee with a request in progress Your request was auto-transferred - check your email for access instructions All USMLE exam types are covered under this new process. What Actually Changed vs. What Stayed the Same? This is the question most examinees have. Here is a direct comparison so there is no confusion: What Changed What Stayed the Same Submission method - now MyUSMLE Portal only 60 business day review window Request tracking is now visible inside the portal ADA documentation requirements In-progress requests were auto-migrated Personal statement requirement IMGs must create a new portal account Approval criteria and standards NBME Disability Services still handles every review. That has not changed. Get USMLE Guidance How Do You Submit a USMLE Accommodation Request Now? The steps are straightforward. Follow these in order: Log in or create your account at the MyUSMLE Portal Scan and prepare digital copies of all supporting documentation If applicable, ask your medical school to complete the CPTA (Certification of Prior Test Accommodations) form - you will find the link inside the portal Follow the prompts inside the portal to complete your submission Allow approximately 60 business days for a decision from NBME Disability Services Do not wait until your exam application is approved before starting your accommodations request. Start both at the same time. When Should You Submit? Timing matters. The review alone takes up to 60 business days. That does not include the time you need to gather documents. June to August eligibility period - submit by early March September to November eligibility period - submit by early June December to February eligibility period - submit by early September Submit as early as possible. Late submissions can push your exam date back. Book Free Consultation What If Your Request Was Already In Progress? If you submitted your request before the new portal launched, here is what happened: All in-progress requests were automatically transferred to the MyUSMLE Portal You should have received an email with instructions on how to access your request in the new system If you did not get that email, check your spam folder first If it is not there, contact NBME Disability Services directly You do not need to resubmit anything What Are the Four Types of Accommodation Requests Available? The USMLE accommodations portal supports four request types. Each one applies to a different situation: Request Type When to Use New Request You have never applied for USMLE test accommodations before Subsequent Request You were previously approved and are applying for the same or new accommodations for a different Step exam Reconsideration Request You received a written denial and want to appeal - this is a one-time option per eligibility period Additional Documentation You need to add supporting documents to an existing open request All four request types are now submitted exclusively through the MyUSMLE Portal. Key Deadlines and Timelines to Know Eligibility Period Recommended Submission Deadline June to August By early March September to November By early June December to February By early September March to May By early December Quick-Reference Summary The new USMLE accommodations process is live as of June 2026 All USMLE Step exam accommodation requests now go through the MyUSMLE Portal IMGs must create a new portal account to access the system In-progress requests were automatically migrated - no resubmission needed ADA documentation requirements, the 60-day review window, and approval standards are unchanged Start USMLE Journey
A process change was made for the USMLE test accommodations. This takes effect from June 2026. All requests for test accommodations on the USMLE Step exams will go through NBME's MyUSMLE Portal. This applies to every examinee - US medical graduates, international medical graduates, and anyone with a request already in progress. The documentation requirements, review timelines and approval standards have not changed. What Is the New USMLE Test Accommodations Process? The US medical licensing exam program has moved its entire accommodation request process into one place. All requests for USMLE test accommodations - whether new, subsequent, or in progress - are now submitted through the MyUSMLE Portal, operated by NBME. This replaces the older process where examinees submitted requests by email or fax directly to Disability Services. The USMLE program made this change for two reasons: efficiency and transparency. The portal lets you track the status and history of your request in one place. That was not possible before. This applies to the USMLE Step 1 exam, USMLE Step 2 exam and Step 3. Who Does This Change Affect? This change affects every examinee who needs test accommodations. Here is what each group needs to do: Examinee Type What You Need to Do US Medical Graduate (USMG) Log into your existing MyUSMLE Portal account International Medical Graduate (IMG) Create a new MyUSMLE Portal account at usmle.org Examinee with a request in progress Your request was auto-transferred - check your email for access instructions All USMLE exam types are covered under this new process. What Actually Changed vs. What Stayed the Same? This is the question most examinees have. Here is a direct comparison so there is no confusion: What Changed What Stayed the Same Submission method - now MyUSMLE Portal only 60 business day review window Request tracking is now visible inside the portal ADA documentation requirements In-progress requests were auto-migrated Personal statement requirement IMGs must create a new portal account Approval criteria and standards NBME Disability Services still handles every review. That has not changed. Get USMLE Guidance How Do You Submit a USMLE Accommodation Request Now? The steps are straightforward. Follow these in order: Log in or create your account at the MyUSMLE Portal Scan and prepare digital copies of all supporting documentation If applicable, ask your medical school to complete the CPTA (Certification of Prior Test Accommodations) form - you will find the link inside the portal Follow the prompts inside the portal to complete your submission Allow approximately 60 business days for a decision from NBME Disability Services Do not wait until your exam application is approved before starting your accommodations request. Start both at the same time. When Should You Submit? Timing matters. The review alone takes up to 60 business days. That does not include the time you need to gather documents. June to August eligibility period - submit by early March September to November eligibility period - submit by early June December to February eligibility period - submit by early September Submit as early as possible. Late submissions can push your exam date back. Book Free Consultation What If Your Request Was Already In Progress? If you submitted your request before the new portal launched, here is what happened: All in-progress requests were automatically transferred to the MyUSMLE Portal You should have received an email with instructions on how to access your request in the new system If you did not get that email, check your spam folder first If it is not there, contact NBME Disability Services directly You do not need to resubmit anything What Are the Four Types of Accommodation Requests Available? The USMLE accommodations portal supports four request types. Each one applies to a different situation: Request Type When to Use New Request You have never applied for USMLE test accommodations before Subsequent Request You were previously approved and are applying for the same or new accommodations for a different Step exam Reconsideration Request You received a written denial and want to appeal - this is a one-time option per eligibility period Additional Documentation You need to add supporting documents to an existing open request All four request types are now submitted exclusively through the MyUSMLE Portal. Key Deadlines and Timelines to Know Eligibility Period Recommended Submission Deadline June to August By early March September to November By early June December to February By early September March to May By early December Quick-Reference Summary The new USMLE accommodations process is live as of June 2026 All USMLE Step exam accommodation requests now go through the MyUSMLE Portal IMGs must create a new portal account to access the system In-progress requests were automatically migrated - no resubmission needed ADA documentation requirements, the 60-day review window, and approval standards are unchanged Start USMLE Journey
