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 December 31 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 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 “First-time User?” to obtain your USMLE ID and password.
Class of 2027 USMLE Step 1 must be taken by Saturday, May 10, 2025.
You will select March-May or April -June 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.
Payment for Step 1 must be made directly to the NBME during registration by using a credit card. The current price of registration for Step 1 can be found here.
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 every Friday from October through December. 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