Phase One of USMLE Service Transition is Complete, All USMLE Step Exam Services for IMGs Now Managed by FSMB

Posted: January 12, 2026

Phase one of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) Service Transition is now complete. All USMLE Step exam services for students and graduates of international medical schools (IMGs), including exam registration, score report delivery, and USMLE customer service, are now managed by USMLE co-sponsor the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) through its USMLE portal.

The USMLE Service Transition simplifies the examinee journey and creates a more consistent and efficient process for examinees. To do this, all Step exam services will be combined under the USMLE co-sponsors, FSMB and NBME, in two phases.

In phase two of the USMLE Service Transition, Step 3 services currently provided to students and graduates of U.S. medical schools by FSMB will transition to NBME on January 26, 2026. Once the transition is complete, all USMLE Step exam services for students and graduates of U.S. medical schools will be managed by NBME. The USMLE program will release additional information on phase two in the coming weeks.

For more information and Frequently Asked Questions for both IMGs and students and graduates of U.S. medical schools, please refer to the USMLE Service Transition Information Hub. 

For additional questions, please use the chart below to determine who to contact. 
 

I am a... Registration Entity Contact Information
Student or graduate (MD and DO) of a medical school program accredited by the LCME or COCA in the U.S. NBME webmail@nbme.org +1 (215) 590-9700
Student or graduate of a medical school outside the U.S., including Canada*, that is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting ECFMG Certification eligibility requirements. FSMB usmle@fsmb.org +1 (817) 868-4041

*Note: Individuals who graduate from Canadian medical schools on or after July 1, 2025, are considered IMGs. Individuals who graduated from Canadian medical schools before July 1, 2025, are not considered IMGs. Please refer to the USMLE Bulletin of Information for additional information.