USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK are delivered at Prometric test centres in the US, Canada and many other countries, including India. Step 3 is available only in the United States and its territories.
This guide lists the USMLE testing regions for 2026, explains how testing in India works, shows the extra fees for testing outside the US and Canada, and covers how to book, reschedule and prepare for test day.
Prometric Testing Network
The USMLE exam centres are mostly in Prometric testing locations. These are safe, standardised, and available in many cities. Prometric handles both USMLE centres in the U.S. and USMLE exam centres abroad. You can find a list of approved centres on the official Prometric website or the USMLE portal.
Which USMLE Steps Can You Take Outside the US?
Step 1 and Step 2 CK are offered at Prometric centres worldwide, including in India. Step 3 is administered only at Prometric centres in the United States and its territories, so international candidates must travel to the US to take it.
When you apply for Step 1 or Step 2 CK, you select a testing region and an eligibility period. After your application is approved, you receive a scheduling permit. You then book your appointment at an available Prometric centre in your selected testing region.
Since January 2026, students and graduates of medical schools outside the US apply for all USMLE Steps through the FSMB (Federation of State Medical Boards) USMLE portal. FSMB manages USMLE registration and exam services. ECFMG continues to determine eligibility for ECFMG Certification, and FSMB confirms that eligibility with ECFMG as part of registration.
Availability for Step 1 and Step 2 CK
Step 1 and Step 2 CK are delivered through the same Prometric network. Not every Prometric centre offers every exam, and availability changes with dates and seat capacity. Check Prometric’s USMLE site locator for current locations and open dates for your specific exam before you book.
USMLE Exam Centres Worldwide (2026)
Step 1 and Step 2 CK are grouped into testing regions. Below are the countries listed for each region.
Important: this list shows where Prometric USMLE testing has been available. It is not a guaranteed list of centres open right now. Centre availability changes, so always confirm the exact location and open dates for your exam on the Prometric website before booking.
United States and Canada (no international region fee)
- Every US state
- US territories: Guam, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands
- Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Africa
- Ghana
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Uganda (Kampala)
Asia
- Bangladesh
- China (also has a separate “China” testing region)
- Hong Kong (select “Asia” region when scheduling)
- India (listed separately below)
- Malaysia
- Nepal (Kathmandu)
- Pakistan (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore)
- Philippines
- Singapore
Australia & Oceania
- Australia
- New Zealand
Europe
- Armenia
- Croatia
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Latvia
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Turkey (Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir)
- United Kingdom
USMLE Exam Centres in India
India is its own testing region. The current testing-region list includes Prometric USMLE locations in:
- Gujarat
- Karnataka
- Maharashtra
- New Delhi
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Uttar Pradesh
- West Bengal
Exact centre locations and appointment availability can change, so check Prometric’s USMLE site locator for current centres and open dates before booking.
Tips for Indian candidates:
- Book your appointment as soon as you receive your scheduling permit. USMLE advises that appointments at some centres fill quickly.
- If your preferred city has no suitable dates, check other Indian centres before considering another testing region. Changing regions costs extra.
- The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your USMLE registration.
- Testing in India adds the international region fee plus 18% GST.
Indonesia
- Jakarta
Japan
- Tokyo and other major cities
Korea
- Seoul
Latin America & Caribbean
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Guatemala
- Mexico
- Peru
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Venezuela
Middle East
- Egypt (Cairo)
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Taiwan
- Taipei
Thailand
- Bangkok
Choosing the Right Centre
Picking the right USMLE exam centres matters. Here are some things to consider:
Location & Travel Considerations
- Choose a centre close to home or where travel is easy.
- Avoid far-off places during busy exam seasons.
- Some USMLE centres in small towns may have limited seats.
Booking Your Exam Slot
Best Time to Book
Apply well before your target date, because application processing takes time. Once you receive your scheduling permit, book your appointment at your preferred centre straight away. USMLE notes that appointments at some centres fill quickly.
- If possible, aim to secure your seat several months before your target date, especially during busy testing periods.
- You must test within your assigned eligibility period, so choose it carefully when you apply.
Rescheduling & Cancellation Policies
Appointment changes, such as rescheduling, cancelling or switching centres, are made with Prometric, under fee rules published by the USMLE program. You can move to a different date or centre within your testing region, subject to availability.
Prometric appointment-change fees (Step 1, Step 2 CK, Step 3), effective July 1, 2026:
| When You Make the Change | Fee |
|---|---|
| 46 or more days before your test date | No fee |
| 31–45 days before | $35 |
| 6–30 days before | $100 |
| 5 or fewer days before | Step 1: $158 · Step 2 CK: $178 · Step 3: $317 |
- If you can’t test within your eligibility period, you can request a one-time extension.
- Moving to a different testing region is a separate request with its own fee.
⚠️ VERIFY: The fee table comes from the external review and could not be confirmed against the official page. Check the current rescheduling fees on usmle.org before publishing. If you can’t confirm them, delete the table and keep the sentence “Fees depend on how close to your test date you make the change. Check the current schedule on usmle.org.”
Costs Involved
USMLE fees are charged in US dollars. Additional fees may apply depending on where you test.
- International region fee: $210 for Step 1 and $235 for Step 2 CK if you test outside the US and Canada.
- India GST: Candidates who choose the India testing region also pay 18% GST, which USMLE collects and remits to the Indian government.
- Changing testing region: This requires a separate paid request.
- Travel and stay: If there’s no centre in your city, budget for travel and accommodation.
Fees change each year, so check the current exam and region fees on usmle.org before applying.
Test Day Experience
Check-in Process & ID Requirements
- Arrive early at your USMLE Exam centre.
- Bring valid ID (passport or government ID matching registration).
- Expect security checks, biometric scans, and locker use.
Breaks, Lockers, and Exam Rules
- Test centres have lockers for your personal items.
- You get scheduled breaks. Use a locker for food, drink, and personal items.
- Follow all rules: no phones, no notes, no watches.
Special Considerations
Accessibility & Accommodations
Test accommodations are requested through the USMLE program, not through individual test centres. Submit your request as early as possible with the required supporting documentation. USMLE recommends allowing at least 60 business days for a decision.
Backup Plans for Emergencies
If you need to change your appointment, do it as early as possible. No appointment-change fee applies when you make the change 46 or more days before your test date; fees apply within 45 days.
Keep a second nearby centre in mind in case your first choice is unavailable, and note the end date of your eligibility period so you don’t run out of time.
⚠️ VERIFY: The “46 days” rule depends on the same fee schedule as Change 12. If you can’t confirm it, use: “Fees are lower the earlier you make the change. Check usmle.org for the current schedule.
Conclusion
Step 1 and Step 2 CK can be taken at Prometric centres around the world, including in India. Step 3 must be taken in the United States or its territories.
Choose your testing region carefully, book your seat as soon as you receive your scheduling permit, and budget for the international region fee and GST if you’re testing in India. Always confirm centre availability and current fees on the official Prometric and USMLE websites before booking.
Preparing for Step 1 or Step 2 CK from India? Explore the USMLE Strike course for a structured study plan, practice questions and mentor support.
