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

First Aid

• 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 - 1-year 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 via ECFMG

All international medical students, especially those in the UQ-Ochsner MD Program, must register for the USMLE Step 1 exam through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), a division of Intealth. This process involves several steps and should be started early.

Create a MyIntealth Account

You must create a MyIntealth account to access ECFMG services such as ECFMG Certification, USMLE exam registration, ERAS support, and more. This account will generate your unique MyIntealth ID, which is required for all future interactions with ECFMG.

⚠️ 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

ECFMG 2026 Information BookletMyIntealth ResourcesOnline Services OverviewApplicant User GuideAccount Establishment & Identity Verification

ECFMG Certification Application

Once you successfully submit your ECFMG Certification application through your MyIntealth account, you will be issued a USMLE ID. This ID becomes linked to your MyIntealth account and is required for all future interactions with USMLE services, including exam registration.

⚠️ Note: This process may take several weeks, primarily due to identity verification and administrative review.

After your ECFMG Certification application is accepted, you will be eligible to apply for the USMLE Step 1 exam.

September, Year 2

Apply for USMLE Step 1

When applying to sit for USMLE Step 1, you must select a three-month eligibility period during which you intend to take the exam. For current Year 2 students, the first available eligibility window is December to February.

You cannot apply for Step 1 until the exam window opens – typically mid-September. If you select an eligibility period that begins before you have:

• Completed 32 units of the UQ MD-Ochsner Program, and
• Achieved a passing score on the CBSE (e.g., November of Year 2),

your application will not be approved by the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences (HMBS). This will result in significant delays in your Step 1 registration.

Faculty Verification of Step 1 Eligibility

Eligibility to sit for USMLE Step 1 is determined by USMLE and ECFMG guidelines. The Faculty verifies eligibility through the MyIntealth Entity Portal, based on the criteria outlined above.

Verification Timeline & Process

Once you have completed your ECFMG Certification, and applied for your desired Step 1 exam window, the Faculty will receive a notification from ECFMG via the MyIntealth Entity Portal to verify your eligibility.

⏳ Processing Time: After submitting your application to ECFMG, it may take 2–3 weeks for ECFMG to process it before the Faculty is notified.

During this period the Ochsner Student and Academic Affairs team in New Orleans and the Faculty in Brisbane monitor ECFMG daily. Once the notification is received, eligibility verification is completed promptly.

If more than 3 weeks have passed since your application submission and you have not received a verification update, please contact ECFMG directly to investigate the delay.

After Verification

Once your eligibility is verified you will receive an email notification — typically within 30 minutes. You will then be issued an exam permit from ECFMG, which takes approximately one week after verification.

Register for Step 1 via Prometric

To schedule your USMLE Step 1 exam, you must register through the Prometric website. However, you cannot select a test date until you have received your exam permit from ECFMG.

Once your exam permit is issued you can log in to the Prometric site. Choose your preferred testing region and specific test date within your approved eligibility window.

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.

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 Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences (hmbs@enquire.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 Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences (hmbs@enquire.uq.edu.au) if they are experiencing difficulties with meeting this progression requirement.