Miss the Community Engagement Sessions?

Watch a replay of the first webinar and live Q&A held on July 1, 2026, and learn more about the program's transition to a new exam administration model in 2029*. You can also explore additional FAQs about the USMLE program's transition to Designated Testing Dates and the latest information in the DTD Information Hub.

Stay Tuned for Future Information on Additional Community Engagement Sessions

Please check back often for information about additional Community Engagement Sessions about the USMLE program's transition to Designated Testing Dates. Updates on future webinars will be shared here as they become available.

* Please note: As of August 6, 2026, the USMLE program has decided to implement the Designated Testing Dates exam administration model during January 2029. The Community Engagement Session recording from early July has not been updated to reflect this.

Want to learn more about the USMLE program's decision to go to Designated Testing Dates?

Register for a community engagement session today! 

The USMLE program has announced that it will reduce the number of Step exam administrations each year beginning in 2029. This exam administration model, which the USMLE program calls Designated Testing Dates, is designed to further strengthen exam security, uphold the integrity of the assessments and support fairness. 

For more than 30 years, the Step exams have assessed an examinee’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care.  State medical boards use USMLE outcomes to inform licensure decisions and physicians who have passed the USMLE have demonstrated they meet a rigorous and reliable standard.   

We invite you to join the USMLE Community Engagement Sessions to:

• Learn more about the transition to Designated Testing Dates
• Explore how the USMLE program is strengthening safeguards to protect exam content and support fair outcomes
• Understand what this change may mean for medical students, residents, educators and training programs
• Ask questions during a live Q&A with Dr. Alex Mechaber, Vice President, USMLE, NBME and David A. Johnson, Chief Assessment Officer, FSMB

These sessions are part of the USMLE program’s commitment to transparency and providing the information and support needed to help navigate the transition to Designated Testing Dates.