What You Can Bring into the Testing Room
You are permitted to bring your locker key and ID into the testing room. A list of approved personal items that may be permitted in the secure testing area (e.g., cordless soft-foam earplugs without strings, water in a clear or transparent container with a lid or cap and all labels removed, certain medicines or medical devices, etc.), subject to inspection by test center staff, is available on the USMLE website. Generally, other personal items are not allowed in the secure testing area. Exceptions to this policy may be made in certain limited circumstances.
For all Steps, if you bring personal items to the test center that are not permitted in the secure testing area, you must store them in a small, designated locker outside the secure testing area. Electronic devices must be turned off; turning down the volume is not sufficient. All personal items are subject to inspection.
See also the Pre-approved Items section.