USMLE Step 1

What the fee covers

2026–2027 application fee

$695

Testing outside the U.S. and Canada

$210 region fee

Regional taxes

May apply

2026 and 2027 application fee. Tests outside the U.S. and Canada incur a $210 region fee; applicable regional taxes may also apply.

Published pass rate

Rate

93% Outcome source

Candidate group

First-time examinees from U.S. medical schools granting MD degrees; 23,028 examinees. This rate does not cover DO or non-U.S. school examinees.

Reporting period

2025

A rate describes this candidate group and period. It is not an individual prediction or a standardized difficulty measurement.

Format and timing

Exam type

Medical licensing exam

Questions or sections

Up to 280 questions Format source

Published time limit

8-hour testing session Timing source

Time definition

Full appointment

Computer-based multiple-choice examination. For exams on or after May 14, 2026, fourteen blocks contain no more than 20 questions each.

One-day appointment includes fourteen 30-minute question blocks, at least 55 minutes of break time and an optional five-minute tutorial.