When Will My USMLE Score Come Out?
Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 scores are typically released within 4 weeks, and USMLE asks you to allow 8. Enter your test date to get both dates, or start from a deadline to find your latest safe test date.
Pick a valid test date to see when to expect your score.
Dates are estimates based on USMLE's published timeline, not a guaranteed release date. USMLE does not publish a fixed release weekday.
USMLE score release timeline by exam
All three computer-based Step exams use the same official timeline. What differs is what the report shows and when the clock starts.
| Exam | Typical release | Plan for | What you receive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Within 4 weeks | At least 8 weeks | Pass/fail outcome |
| Step 2 CK | Within 4 weeks | At least 8 weeks | Three-digit score (passing: 218) |
| Step 3 | Within 4 weeks | At least 8 weeks | Three-digit score (passing: 200); clock starts after day 2 |
Sources: USMLE examination results and scoring and USMLE score reporting timeline update (March 6, 2024).
Picking a test date when you have a deadline
If a residency application, a graduation requirement, or a program start date depends on your score, work backward from that date. USMLE's own advice is to leave at least 8 weeks between your test and the date you need results.
- Safe: test 8 weeks before the deadline. This is the margin USMLE recommends.
- Risky: test 4 weeks before. Most scores arrive in time, but a delayed score would miss the deadline.
Use the When should I test by? mode in the calculator above to get both dates. Before you lock in a date, check whether your practice scores say you are ready with the Step 2 CK score predictor or the Step 1 readiness check.
When your score is released
You get an email
The notification comes from the organization that registered you for the exam, not from USMLE directly.
The report stays up about a year
Your score report remains on the registering organization's website for roughly 365 days after the email. Save a copy.
Then put it in context
A three-digit score is easier to read as a percentile. Look it up against the official USMLE norm table.
Check your result with the Step 2 CK percentile calculator or the Step 3 percentile and passing score page.
USMLE score release FAQs
How long does it take to get Step 2 CK scores?+
USMLE says results for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 are typically available within 4 weeks of your test date. It also tells examinees to allow at least 8 weeks before expecting notification.
When do Step 1 scores come out?+
Step 1 follows the same timeline: usually within 4 weeks, with 8 weeks recommended as a planning margin. Step 1 has been reported as pass/fail since January 26, 2022, so the report shows a pass or fail outcome rather than a three-digit score.
When do Step 3 scores come out?+
Step 3 scores are also typically available within 4 weeks. Count from the day you finish the second day of the exam, since your score covers both days.
What day of the week are USMLE scores released?+
USMLE does not publish a fixed release weekday on its scoring pages. Plan around the four-week and eight-week windows rather than a specific day.
Are there still score delay periods?+
No dedicated ones. On March 6, 2024, USMLE announced it would no longer implement dedicated score delay periods for the Step exams, while noting that various factors can still delay an individual score in rare cases.
How will I know my score is ready?+
You get an email from the organization that registered you for the exam. The score report then stays available on that organization's website for about 365 days from the notification email.
It has been more than eight weeks. What should I do?+
Contact the organization that registered you for the exam. They can tell you whether your result is still being processed.