USMLE Retake Quick Summary
If you fail or do not complete a USMLE Step, you can retake it with a new application and fee. You may take the same Step no more than three times in 12 months. A fourth attempt must be at least 12 months after your first and six months after your most recent attempt. After four attempts without passing, you can no longer apply for any Step. A Step you have passed cannot be retaken to improve your score.
If I fail the USMLE, when can I take it again?
There is no fixed waiting period after a first, second or third attempt at a Step of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). You can reapply once you have your result, as long as you do not take the same Step more than three times in any 12-month period. The rules become stricter from your fourth attempt onwards, and incomplete attempts count in the same way as failed ones.
USMLE retake rules
For how these limits apply across your whole USMLE journey, see our guide to USMLE retake limits.
Example: planning a fourth attempt
The fourth attempt must satisfy both conditions, so the later of the two dates applies. This is only an illustration; your own dates depend on when you actually test.
What a retake costs in time and money
Every attempt needs the full exam fee again, and fees are non-refundable. See USMLE exam fees for the full list.
How to retake a USMLE Step
- Read your score report. Failing reports include performance feedback that shows where you were weakest.
- Check the passing score and how far you were from it, then rebuild your study plan around your weak areas.
- Count your attempts, including incomplete ones, and check the earliest date you can test again.
- Submit a new application and fee through the FSMB (for IMGs) and choose a new eligibility period.
- Book your Prometric date only once you are scoring consistently on timed, exam-style practice.
Factor any retake into your USMLE timeline, especially if you are aiming for a particular residency Match.
Frequently asked questions
> How many times can I retake a USMLE Step?
You have a maximum of four attempts at each Step, including incomplete attempts. After four attempts without passing, you can no longer apply for any Step in the USMLE sequence.
> How long do I have to wait to retake a failed USMLE Step?
There is no fixed wait for your second or third attempt, but you cannot take the same Step more than three times in 12 months. A fourth attempt must be at least 12 months after your first and six months after your most recent attempt.
> Can I retake a USMLE Step to improve a passing score?
No. A passed Step cannot be retaken, except to meet a time limit set by a US medical licensing authority.
> Does an incomplete attempt count?
Yes. If you do not open every block of your exam, the attempt may be reported as incomplete on your USMLE transcript, and incomplete attempts count toward the retake rules and the four-attempt limit.
> Do I need to pay again to retake the USMLE?
Yes. Each retake needs a new application and the full exam fee, plus the region fee if you test outside the US and Canada. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Need help after a failed attempt? Contact us, or explore our Step 1 and Step 2 CK exam guides.
Preparing for a retake?
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