USMLE 2025 Step 2 CK: Dates, Registration, Exam Pattern, Exam Centres

USMLE 2025 Exam

The USMLE is a three-step exam. This USMLE exam program is owned by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Candidates who complete the 3 Steps and Step components are eligible to practice medicine in the United States.

USMLE Steps and Step components:

• USMLE Step 1

• USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK)

• USMLE Step 3

USMLE Step 2 Exam Dates 2025

Candidates first need to select the “eligibility period” before selecting the USMLE exam date. Here, the eligibility period is three consecutive months. Once the eligibility period gets assigned, candidates will get a scheduling permit.

With the issuance of a scheduling permit, candidates will be able to book the USMLE Step 2 exam dates 2025. Candidates need to select the Step 2 exam dates within the selected 3-month eligibility period. The test date schedule can be done through the Prometric website.

When to Take the USMLE Step 2?

Step 2 can be taken before or after Step 1. Once both Step 1 and Step 2 CK are passed, then the candidate is eligible to take Step 3.

USMLE Step 2 CK Eligibility

The USMLE eligibility criteria for Step 1 and Step 2 are the same. Here the candidate who meets the Step 1 eligibility, can also be eligible for USMLE Step 2. The following are the eligibility criteria to qualify for the Step 2 CK exam.

• International candidates studying outside the USA or Canada can apply for the USMLE Step 2 CK if they are enrolled in or graduated from medical schools listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools meeting the ECFMG eligibility requirements.

What are ECFMG Requirements for Step 2?

Here ECFMG requirements for USMLE Step 2 mean that the medical colleges listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools must have an ECFMG sponsor note stating that the college meets the ECFMG requirements and their students and graduates are eligible to apply for the ECFMG certification.

How to Check ECFMG Requirements?

To check the ECFMG requirements of Step 2 CK, the candidate can follow the below process.

• Visit the World Directory of Medical Schools website at search.wdoms.org/

• Enter the candidate's medical school name in the “search option”.

• If the college appears, click on the sponsor note.

• Here the sponsor note should state ECFMG eligibility.

If there is an ECFMG sponsor note to their medical college, then the candidate is eligible to apply for Step 2.

Other Details About Step 2 Eligibility

• The eligibility criteria have to be satisfied at the time of application and on the Step 2 USMLE exam day.

• Applicants of students who have been dismissed or have been withdrawn from medical school aren’t eligible to apply or attempt the Step 2 exam.

USMLE Step 2 Registration 2025

Registrations for the Step 2 USMLE are open all around the year. Depending on the location of the medical school of the candidates, the registration entities vary for Step 2.

Step 2 Registration Entities

Here is the USMLE step 2 Registration Process:

The following is the Step 2 CK registration process for international students studying outside the USA and Canada. The process involves various stages which are to be followed in order.

• Obtain a USMLE ID - Visit the ECFMG website and create a “MyIntealth account”. The USMLE ID will be received in a few days by mail.

• Apply for Form 186/ Certificate of Identification - Apply for Form 186 using USMLE ID and notarize it.

• Apply for Step 2 - Once the Form 186 status is confirmed, then apply for Step 2 USMLE. Fill out the form and select the eligibility period.

• Wait for Scheduling Permit - Once the Step 2 CK registration is done, a scheduling permit with a scheduling number will be given by mail.

• Book the Step 2 exam date - Use the scheduling number to book the USMLE Step 2 dates 2025 at the Prometric website.

Documents Required for USMLE Step 2 Registration

Here are the necessary documents to be uploaded during USMLE registration.

• A valid passport.

• Passport-size photo (colour).

USMLE Step 2 Fees India

The exam fees for Step 2 and Step 1 are the same. International students who are appearing for the exam outside the USA and Canada have to pay an extra international surcharge fee. All the Step 2 fee details are mentioned below.

USMLE Step 2 CK Fees

Additional USMLE step 2 fees India

Students must note that this fees must be paid during the USMLE step 2 registration process and not be pending for afterwards. This ensure the slot booking confirmation.

USMLE Step 2 Exam Centres 2025

International candidates can take Step 2 from their home countries itself at Prometric test centres. Once the candidate registers for the Step 2 CK, they can select the nearest available USMLE test centres.

USMLE 2025 Step 2 CK Test Centres - Worldwide

USMLE Step 2 Exam Pattern 2025

Students can ace the exam if they are fully aware of type of USMLE step 2 questions. Step 2 is a 9-hour exam divided into 8 blocks. Each block in the USMLE test pattern is 60 minutes in duration. There are forty Step 2 questions in each block. The total step 2 CK questions in the exam are 318. Candidates can take a break for 45 minutes. The USMLE Step 2 total marks are 300.

USMLE Step 2 Exam Pattern outline

USMLE Step 2 Syllabus 2025

All the disciplines covered, tasks and specifications of the Step 2 CK syllabus are mentioned below. The disciplines covered in the USMLE syllabus for Step 2 CK syllabus include medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology, psychiatry and paediatrics.

Step 2 CK Specifications

So, how to prepare for the exam? Students can purchase or download various USMLE step 2 book pdf for practice. Also; for the USMLE exam preparation, candidates can check the USMLE step 2 sample papers. By practising the Step 2 CK sample questions, candidates can get used to the question format and syllabus. The exam is quite challenging; hence, it is highly recommended to be well versed with the USMLE step 2 syllabus PDF.

To download the USMLE sample paper Step 2 - Click here

USMLE Step 2 Results 2025

The results of Step 2 are available within two to four weeks after the exam date. The candidate will be notified regarding the USMLE results by mail. International candidates can check their results on the ECFMG website. The Step 2 results will be available on the website for up to 1 year. Students can thereby check their USMLE step 2 percentiles officially at the website.

What is the USMLE step 2 passing score? The USMLE score report displays the pass or fail status and numerical score. The total Step 2 USMLE marks are 300. Candidates require a minimum Step 2 pass score of 214 marks. Hence, students must prepare accordingly to surpass this USMLE step 2 passing score.

Know more about other medical exams:

• MCAT 2025

• MCAT exam pattern 2025