1. The deadline to take USMLE Step 1 is one year from the start of a student’s initial clerkship. This one-year timeline begins on the first day of the student’s first clerkship and remains in effect regardless of any time away from the MD program, including periods of non-enrollment, pursuit of a dual degree, research or scholarly activities, leaves of absence, or engagement in industry or other non-academic endeavors.
   1. The CP3 may assign an earlier deadline, including one that falls prior to the start of clerkships, based on a student’s performance in the pre-clerkship curriculum. Students who meet one or more of the following criteria may be assigned an earlier Step 1 deadline:
      1. One Failure (F) in a pre-clerkship course of four or more units
      2. Two or more Failures (F) in pre-clerkship courses
      3. Three or more total deficiencies (F, N, or INC) in pre-clerkship courses.
   2. Students must take Step 1 prior to completing more than 72 units of clinical clerkships.
2. Students who either fail Step 1 or do not meet the deadline to take USMLE Step 1 will ordinarily be withdrawn from clerkships at the conclusion of their current enrolled clerkship and will not be permitted to resume clerkships until achieving a passing score.
   1. Students will ordinarily be required to take/retake the exam within 90 days of their original deadline or their previous failed attempt. This date should fall within the same academic quarter whenever possible, to ensure timely degree progress and to prevent delays in meeting SAP requirements.
   2. Students may be required to take USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) no later than the first week of January of the expected graduation year.
   3. Students who fail their third attempt of the USMLE Step 1 examination will be reviewed by the CP3 and may be considered for dismissal from the MD program.
   4. The USMLE allows a maximum of four (4) attempts of the USMLE Step 1 examination. Students who fail their fourth attempt will be reviewed by the CP3 and dismissed from the MD program.
3. Students planning to step away from the MD curriculum to pursue scholarly opportunities or additional degree programs will ordinarily be required to pass USMLE Step 1 prior to stepping away.

1. Students must take USMLE Step 2 CK by no later than March 31^st of their graduation year.
2. Students failing USMLE Step 2 CK will be reviewed by the CP3 and one or more of the following conditions may apply:
   1. A requirement to retake USMLE Step 2 CK by a specific date determined by the CP3.
   2. A requirement to take and pass an institutionally administered USMLE equivalency exam by a specific date determined by the CP3.
3. Students failing to meet the deadline to take USMLE Step 2 CK will be reviewed by the CP3 and one or more of the following conditions may apply:
   1. A requirement to take and pass an institutionally administered USMLE equivalency exam by a specific date determined by the CP3.
   2. A requirement to take USMLE Step 2 CK by a specific date determined by the CP3. Students must take and pass USMLE Step 2 CK no later than the first week of May of the expected graduation year.
   3. Students may not be eligible for promotion to Eligible for the Residency Match.
4. Passing an institutionally administered USMLE equivalency exam may, under certain circumstances and at the discretion of the CP3, serve to meet Step 2 CK requirements for the MD degree. Such institutionally administered USMLE equivalency exams do not, however, meet requirements for licensure to practice medicine.
5. Students may not graduate and may be placed on administrative hold for a set period of time, after which they may be dismissed from the MD program if they:
   1. Fail Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) twice and fail the internal examination; or
   2. Fail Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) three times.

Students requesting disability accommodations for the USMLE Step exams should consult with the Office of Medical Student Affairs Disability Resources and/or Learning Strategies before submitting their applications to the NBME. Accommodation determinations can take up to 60 business days. Applications and all documentation required by the NBME should be submitted no later than 4 months prior to a student’s exam deadline.

Students may petition the CP3 for an extension to take USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 CK. Approval is not guaranteed and will be considered only under extenuating circumstances. Petitions must be submitted no later than 30 days prior to the student’s exam deadline. No extensions may exceed 90 days. Students granted an extension will ordinarily be withdrawn from all clerkships until the exam has been completed.

Additional information and resources related to USMLE examinations can be found on the School of Medicine Registrar’s Office website.

updated August 2025