CBSE & USMLE - Step 1 - Medical School - University of Queensland

This page provides information for UQ–Ochsner students preparing for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and the Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE). It outlines key information regarding USMLE Step 1 registration, program progression requirements, CBSE eligibility, examination scheduling, and policies governing CBSE participation.

The CBSE is a comprehensive assessment of foundational medical sciences and is designed to reflect the content and format of USMLE Step 1. The examination evaluates knowledge typically acquired through courses equivalent to Foundations of Medicine (MEDI7100) and Developing Skills in Medicine (MEDI7200), while also drawing on prior foundational learning. As a result, the CBSE serves as an important indicator of readiness for USMLE Step 1.

Students should refer to the Program and Course Requirements and official Medical School communications for authoritative information regarding progression requirements, examination eligibility, and related policies.

To apply for U.S. medical residency programs and eventually become licensed to practice medicine in the United States, students must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The USMLE consists of three parts: Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK), and Step 3.

Passing Step 1 and Step 2 CK is required to enter the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), which places applicants into U.S. residency programs.

For more details on the USMLE please visit their website.

Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE)

The CBSE is a required program level examination. It is not a standard course exam and is not treated like an in-semester or end-of-semester assessment. As a result, the usual rules related to deferred or supplementary exams do not apply. The CBSE cannot be postponed, extended, or repeated beyond the permitted four attempts and must be completed within two calendar years, from 1 January of the year you first commence Year 2 (MEDI7200) to 31 December two years later.

If you are unable to attend a scheduled CBSE because of exceptional circumstances (as defined in the Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy), you may request for your missed CBSE to not be counted as an attempt (including supporting documentation).  Requests are reviewed on an individual basis in accordance with the above policy. Approval of exceptional circumstances does not increase the number of allowed attempts and does not permit the exam to be taken outside the two-year assessment period. If your exceptional circumstances are approved, you should sit the CBSE at the next scheduled opportunity, provided this occurs within the two-year period and does not result in more than four total attempts. If exceptional circumstances apply to the final available CBSE sitting within that period, the Medical School may identify an appropriate sitting within the existing two-year timeframe.

For further information, please review the USMLE Step 1 and CBSE Student Guide and USMLE Personalized Learning Stream Guide that are located under 'USMLE Step 1 & 2' on the MD Ochsner Community Site.

Study Support for Step 1

Year 1
February	Presentation - Orientation to USMLE prep
March	Access to a 2-year Boards & Beyond subscription
May/June	First Aid for USMLE Step 1 distributed

Year 2
USMLE Step 1 preparation stream begins
April	Access to a 1-year subscription to the USMLEWorld QBank
July	General guide of when to register with ECFMG through MyIntealth (can be done earlier in the year)
September	Pay the USMLE exam fee and register for the exam period (December - February).

USMLE First Aid (Latest Edition)

Comprehensive Step 1 study guide

USMLE Step 1 Preparation Learning Stream of MEDI7200 (Year 2)

Dedicated USMLE preparatory selective stream required for all students enrolled in the UQ MD-Ochsner Program
An NBME practice exam will be administered early in the second year and in early September so that you can benchmark your progress towards a passing Step 1 score.
USMLEWorld QBank - 360 day access
Peer tutorials
Peer generated question banks

Blackboard Resources

USMLE Ochsner Step 1 Study Guide
- This guide is updated annually with input from UQ Years 1 and 2 academics, Ochsner Clinical School academics, and current students who have performed well on Step 1.
Peer USMLE Learning Plan
Resources can be accessed via the MEDI7200 course link and MD Ochsner Community Site on Blackboard.

Step 1 Registration & Application Steps

Registering for USMLE Step 1

All international medical students, especially those in the UQ-Ochsner MD Program, must register for the USMLE Step 1 exam through ECFMG, a division of Intealth, and FSMB.

Important: Begin this process early in Year 2, as the full process can take up to two months or more. Note that this timeframe does not include selecting or scheduling your Step 1 exam date.

Essential Resources

OMSA Step 1 Registration Guide 2026ECFMG 2026 Information BookletMyIntealth ResourcesOnline Services OverviewApplicant User GuideAccount Establishment & Identity VerificationStep 1 Registration Checklist

Overview and Required Stages

Create a MyIntealth account
Start the ECFMG Certification process
Complete identity confirmation via NotaryCam
Submit the ECFMG Certification application
Apply for USMLE Step 1 through FSMB
Schedule your exam with Prometric

⚠️ Each stage must be completed in order before you can begin the next.

Step 1: Create a MyIntealth Account

Go to the MyIntealth Applicant Portal
Select Create Account
Enter your email address and create a password
Verify your email when prompted

Your name and date of birth must exactly match your passport, including spacing, hyphens, and middle names. Even minor differences can delay later steps or prevent automatic record matching.

Step 2: Start the ECFMG Certification Process

Log in to the MyIntealth Applicant Portal
Select Begin Application
Complete the online application for ECFMG Certification (refer to registration guide)

ECFMG will email you when updates are available for you to proceed with the next steps. This can happen in as little as 36 hours.

Step 3: Complete Identity Confirmation via NotaryCam

Log in to the MyIntealth Applicant Portal to access NotaryCam
Refer to OMSA Step 1 Registration Guide for details to complete the online notarization

Step 4: Submit Application for ECFMG Certification

Log in to the MyIntealth Applicant Portal
Select Continue with ECFMG certification
Refer to OMSA Step 1 Registration Guide for details to complete your application

Once you submit your ECFMG Certification application, ECFMG will verify your eligibility to sit for Step 1.

The Medical School verifies your eligibility with ECFMG via the MyIntealth Entity Portal once notified by ECFMG.
ECFMG processing may take up to 3 weeks before the Medical School is notified.
The Ochsner Student & Academic Affairs team monitor ECFMG daily.

Step 5: Create Your FSMB Account & Apply for USMLE Step 1

Visit https://usmle.fsmb.org/
Create an account by following the details as indicated in the registration guide
Enter your MyIntealth ID to link accounts
Ensure the eligibility window you select is December to February
Ensure to select "Yes" to release your exam results to your medical school

It will take approximately 2 - 3 weeks for FSMB to approve your application and get a scheduling permit.

Step 6: Schedule Exam with Prometric

Once you have a scheduling permit:

Visit the Prometric website: https://proscheduler.prometric.com/
Choose an available date within your eligibility window

Test Accommodations for USMLE Step 1

All requests for test accommodations for the Step exams are processed through NBME's MyUSMLE Portal. Further information is available here.

Timeline & Eligibility Verification for Step 1

When You Can Apply (Timeline)

September, Year 2 — Applying for USMLE Step 1

Students must select a three‑month eligibility period when applying for Step 1.
For current Year 2 students, the first available eligibility window is December–February.
This particular eligibility window is typically not available until mid‑September.

Eligibility Requirements (What Must Be Completed First)

You will not be approved for USMLE Step 1 if your selected eligibility period begins before you have:

Completed 32 units of the UQ MD–Ochsner Program, and
Achieved a passing CBSE score (typically November of Year 2)

Important Note: Selecting an eligibility period that begins before you meet these requirements will result in significant delays in Step 1 registration.

Medical School Eligibility Verification

Eligibility to sit for USMLE Step 1 is determined by USMLE and ECFMG guidelines.
The Medical School verifies your eligibility via the MyIntealth Entity Portal once notified by ECFMG.

Verification Timeline & Communication

What happens after you apply

After you submit your ECFMG Certification application and FSMB Step 1 application:
- ECFMG processing may take up to 3 weeks before the Medical School is notified.
During this time, the Ochsner Student & Academic Affairs team and the Medical School monitor ECFMG daily.

Student guidance:

If more than 3 weeks have passed with no update, contact ECFMG directly.

After Eligibility Verification

What students can expect next

Once eligibility is verified:
- Students receive an email notification (often within 30 minutes).
- An exam permit is issued approximately one week later.
Only after receiving the permit can students schedule with Prometric.

UQ-Ochsner Program Requirements

Progression through the UQ-Ochsner MD Program

Progression through the UQ–Ochsner MD Program is subject to specific prerequisite requirements that determine eligibility to advance from one year of study to the next. To remain eligible to progress, students must meet all criteria outlined in the program and course requirements.

As part of these requirements, students must provide evidence of attempting the USMLE Step 1 examination prior to the Semester 1 census date of Year 3. Students are therefore advised to apply for a testing window between December and February.

At the completion of the USMLE Step 1 exam, students will receive an embossed receipt from the Prometric Test Center. Students must request this receipt before leaving the testing center. A copy of the embossed receipt must be submitted to UQ–Ochsner Student and Academic Affairs.

Please submit the embossed Prometric Center receipt to med.ocsStudentAdmin@uq.edu.au. NOTE: A scheduling confirmation or exam appointment notice will not be accepted in place of the embossed receipt.

Failure to comply with this requirement will impact a student’s continued enrolment and progression in the program.

How to raise concerns

Students who feel unprepared for the USMLE Step 1 exam are encouraged to seek support as early as possible. In the first instance, students should contact their Society Head for guidance and feedback

Students may also contact the UQ-Ochsner Student and Academic Affairs team (med.ocsStudentAdmin@uq.edu.au) if they have concerns or experience difficulty with meeting this progression requirement.

Consequences of not attempting USMLE Step 1

Students who do not attempt the USMLE Step 1 exam prior to the Semester 1 census date of Year 3 will experience the following impacts:

Suspension of enrolment in the program
Delayed graduation date
Delayed eligibility to apply for the NRMP U.S. Match
Reduced competitiveness for NRMP residency positions
An adverse comment included in the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE)
A comment recorded as part of ECFMG certification after graduation
Eligibility for financial aid
Visa status

Good academic standing requirements

The Ochsner Clinical School Guidelines state that UQ-Ochsner students must have a passing score on USMLE Step 1, and no recorded findings of student misconduct at the University, to be deemed in good academic standing during Years 3 and 4. Therefore, a passing score on USMLE Step 1 is required for students to participate in extracurricular activities, such as away rotations, leadership positions, volunteer activities, research opportunities, and conferences.

CBSE & USMLE - Step 1