USMLE Registration - Step 1

Registering for Step 1 is a multi-step process that will take two to four weeks. After the initial registration on the NBME website, the Office of Student Records verifies each student's enrollment. Once enrollment is verified, the student must complete and submit the Certification of ID form to Student Records. It is strongly advised to submit this form to the Office of Student Records by December 1. The student's form will be signed and submitted to the NBME by the ZSOM, and students will receive a subsequent email regarding how to schedule their exams. Students should complete the process of registering by January 15th of the year in which Step 1 will be taken to maximize chances of obtaining desired location and date for testing. 

1. The USMLE certification registration, application, and instructions for completing them are available online at www.nbme.org. Look under “Students & Residents” and then select “Login to NBME Licensing Examination Services."
2.  Login using your USMLE ID and password or select "First-time User?" to obtain your USMLE ID and password.
3. Please read and follow the instructions on the NBME website thoroughly.
4. 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.
5.  Print out the “Certification and Identification Form”.
   1.  Place a recent 2” X 2” passport-type photo in the box on the form.  Photos must be full-faced, current, and at least 2” by 2”.  Photos that do not meet these standards may be returned by the NBME. This form will be turned in once and it is valid for five years unless you change your name.
   2. Check off "I authorize the NBME to accept my NBME on-line services password" on the bottom half of the form.  If you do not accept, you must complete the form each time you apply for an exam.
   3.  Sign and date bottom of form. You must PHYSICALLY sign the form. We cannot accept forms that are electronically signed.
   4. Scan and send the completed form to SOMRegistrar@Hofstra.edu.
6.  After the NBME processes your application, the Office of Student Records will officially certify your information online. At that point, your scheduling permit will be sent to you from the NBME. This will confirm the three-month window in which you will schedule your exam date.
7. 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.
8. NOTE: 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. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Office of Academic Success prior to registering for Step 1.

Helpful Reminders

• The official month for graduation is May. Please fill out the portion of your test application that requests “Date Medical Degree Expected/Conferred” accordingly.

• On examination day, you must present your scheduling permit and an unexpired, government-issued form of identification that includes both your photo and signature to the examination site, (for example, a driver’s license or passport) and your name must be an exact match with the name you registered.

• Once your score has been reported to the NBME, please retain the original USMLE Score Report. The Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell cannot report these scores on your behalf and you will need them for away elective applications. If you do not save your score report, you will need to order a new one and will be assessed a fee by the NBME.