Registering for Step 1 is a multi-step process that will take about two to four weeks. After the initial registration on the NBME website, the Office of Student and Academic Affairs (OSAA) verifies each student’s enrollment and good standing.
Once this is complete, you will receive an email regarding how to schedule your exam. You should complete this process as early as possible or by end of September of your M2 year in order to maximize chances of obtaining desired testing location and date.
You MUST successfully pass your Step 1 before beginning Phase 2- your 3rd year clerkships.
The USMLE certification registration, application and instructions for completing them are available online at the NMBE website.
Please apply using your UB email as part of the verification process by our office is to confirm you being an active medical student.
Login using your USMLE ID and password or select “Create Account” to obtain your USMLE ID and password.
Class of 2028 USMLE Step 1 must be taken by Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026
You will select December-February or January-March as the three-month eligibility period in which you plan to take the exam.
If you wish to request any accommodations during the test administration, you must provide additional information required by the NBME Office that includes specific, current documentation related to the requested accommodation. See NBME website for more information.
If you have any questions about this, please contact the Office of Student and Academic Affairs prior to registering for Step 1.
After payment has been submitted for your exam, you will receive an email that states your application has been processed, but is still in incomplete status. Your EXAMS page will show a “Pending” registration status for the USMLE Step 1 Exam until your Certification of Identification and Authorization form is processed.
It takes 1-2 weeks for your completed “Certification of Identification and Authorization Form” after OSAA submits to NBME for processing and for your registration status to be updated as complete. Our office will submit completed forms to NBME electronically. As a courtesy, you are copied in that e-communication for your reference and record keeping.
Please do not under any circumstances submit a duplicate submission via postal mail as this will indefinitely cancel out your initial submission through our office and also have the postal copy rejected. NBME is very strict with submission from each respective medical school.
To schedule your examination test location and date, visit the Prometric, Inc. website at www.prometric.com. Please be sure you meet the specified deadline for registration for the examination.
You may not schedule your exam until you receive a Scheduling Permit, which will not be issued until six (6) months in advance of your Eligibility Period (for most, this means after Dec. 1). You will receive a separate email from the NBME when this becomes available.
If you have any questions please contact: omeregistrar@buffalo.edu