USMLE - Step 1

To progress through the UQ-Ochsner MD Program

• Before Year 3:
  • Complete 32 units of the program
  • Pass the NBME Comprehensive Basic Science Examination (CBSE)
  • Provide evidence of attempting Step 1 before the Semester 1 of Year 3 census date

• Before Year 4:
  • Provide evidence of passing Step 1

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.

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 identity verification can take several weeks. Note that this step does not include selecting or scheduling your Step 1 exam date.

Essential Resources

(Review before starting)

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

Overview and Required Steps

1. Create a MyIntealth account
2. Submit an Application for ECFMG Certification
3. Complete Form 186 (identity verification)
4. Create a Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) account
5. Apply for USMLE Step 1 through FSMB
6. Schedule your exam with Prometric

Step 1: Create a MyIntealth Account

1. Go to the MyIntealth Applicant Portal
2. Select Create Account
3. Enter your email address and create a password
4. Verify your email when prompted
5. Upload a clear, current passport image

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: Submit the Online Application for ECFMG Certification

1. Log in to the MyIntealth Applicant Portal
2. Select Application for ECFMG Certification
3. Complete the online application for ECFMG Certification
4. Pay the required application fee
5. Download Form 186 once it is generated and labeled “Certification of Identification Form (Form 186)”

Step 3: Complete Form 186 (Identity Verification via NotaryCam)

Form 186 verifies your identity for ECFMG.

1. Enter your biographic information exactly as it appears on your passport
2. Upload a clear, full-color scan of your passport
3. Select Launch NotaryCam (or Schedule NotaryCam Session) and complete the online notarization

What happens next (no action required):

• NotaryCam sends Form 186 directly to ECFMG
• ECFMG reviews both the online application and the notarized Form 186

You may not proceed with USMLE exam applications until ECFMG has accepted both items. Processing times vary—typically 1–3 weeks.

Step 4: Create Your FSMB Account & Apply for USMLE Step 1

Part A: Create Your FSMB Account

1. Visit https://usmle.fsmb.org/
2. Select Create Account
3. Verify your email and complete your profile
4. If prompted for an identifier, enter your MyIntealth ID
   This links your FSMB and Intealth records. Some students will not see an ID prompt unless clarification is needed.

Part B: Apply for USMLE Step 1

Before the Step 1 application can proceed, FSMB automatically confirms:

• Your identity matches your Intealth record
• Your application for ECFMG certification has been accepted

If eligibility is confirmed, USMLE Step 1 will appear as available option in your FSMB account. From your FSMB dashboard:

1. Select USMLE Step 1
2. Complete the application screens, including:

• Selection of a 3-month eligibility period (December to February)
  • You must select your eligibility period during the FSMB Step 1 application. You will schedule your exact exam date later with Prometric, but only dates within your approved eligibility period will be available.
• Required score-release selection
  • When asked whether to release your exam results to your medical school, you must select “Yes” under the Additional Information section
  • This section is required and cannot be changed after submission

3.  Pay the examination fee and submit your application

After You Apply

• FSMB will email you if additional information is required
• Once approved, a Scheduling Permit will appear in your FSMB account
• Use the link provided to schedule your exam directly with Prometric

Checking Status and Scores

At any time, you may log in to the FSMB portal to:

• Check your application status
• Download your official score report once available

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.

Requirements

As outlined above, students must provide evidence of attempting USMLE Step 1 prior to the census date in Semester 1 of Year 3. As such, the Faculty recommends that students apply for the December-February testing window and attempt Step 1 by December 31 the year prior to Year 3.  Notwithstanding, the Faculty recognises that students may attempt Step 1 at the beginning of January in Year 3. To accommodate this, the Faculty requires students to provide evidence that they have attempted Step 1 prior to the census date in Semester 1 of Year 3.

When you sit for the USMLE Step 1 exam, you will be provided with an embossed receipt from the Prometric Center. You must ask for this receipt from the Prometric Center at the end of your exam. You are required to provide a copy of this to the Faculty.

Please ensure you submit your embossed Prometric Center receipt to med.ocsStudentAdmin@uq.edu.au. Make sure this is the embossed receipt from the Prometric Center and not just the confirmation of your location and test date.

As soon as you receive your USMLE Step 1 Score Report, email the PDF to med.ocsStudentAdmin@uq.edu.au.

Consequences - failure to sit

Failure to comply with this program requirement will impact the student’s continued enrolment and progression in the program. Students should contact the Medical School (med.studentenquiries@uq.edu.au) if they have any concerns.

Students who do not attempt the USMLE Step 1 prior to the census date in Semester 1 of Year 3 will see the following impacted:

• Suspended enrolment in the program
• Ineligible to participate in research opportunities at the Ochsner Clinical School
• Ineligible to become an OMSA officer
• Delayed graduation date
• Delayed eligibility to apply for the NRMP by one year
• Adverse comment included in the MSPE (Dean’s letter)
• Lose competitiveness for NRMP positions in the U.S.
• Comment included in ECFMG certification after graduation
• Eligibility for financial aid
• Visa status

How to raise concerns

Students who feel unprepared for the USMLE Step 1 should reach out to their Society Head for feedback and advice. Students are encouraged to seek support early.  Details for the Society Heads can be found here.

Students should contact the Medical School (med.studentenquiries@uq.edu.au) if they are experiencing difficulties with meeting this progression requirement.