Step 3 Scheduling

[Wild20]

Just an FYI before you apply to take Step 3.
A) When you apply for Step 3 you must submit:
1) A passport photo on a notarized form.
2) A form signed by your Program Director, indicating that you are participating in an ACGME accredited program, which also has to be notarized.
B) The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) must verify your graduation from medical school.
C) The FSMB must generate your scheduling permit before you can register for a test date through Prometric.

This does not seem too complicated but when you apply, do not expect a scheduling permit in under 2 weeks. I got mine in 2 and 1/2 weeks and I overnighted my forms that necessitated mailing. Here's the timeline breakdown:
Fill out online application: 20min - 3hours
Get photo taken/Fill out physical forms: 20min - 1hour
Track down PD/Notary: 20min-1week
Mail in physical forms: 3-5days
Forms processed by FSMB: 3-5days
Medical School verification by FSMB: 3-5days
Generation of Scheduling Permit after approval by FSMB: 3-5days
Scheduling of Exam on Prometric site: 1-3hours

These are the rough estimates that you can expect for the FSMB that they will freely give you upon calling. In addition, it can be difficult sometimes to get forms signed by a PD in a timely manner and though there is generally a notary in most offices, the same can be true for them.

In summary, if you plan on taking step 3 within the next year, you should probably begin to fill out paperwork for the application as soon as 3months ahead of the date you are planning on taking it (as they give you a 3 month scheduling window like the other steps). Learn from my mistake having filled it out 6 weeks before the date I wanted to take it and learning that the process of applying takes forever. Luckily a test date was still available in the time frame I could take it. I thought I would share this experience as I was dangerously close to losing my $745 registration fee and wouldn't wish that on anyone else.

Enjoy another test...

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[gasblaster]

Unfortunately it's too late to register if anyone wanted to take it this calendar year. Deadline was August 31st.

 

[Mapplicant]

It is not too late to take Step 3 in this calendar year. The "2012" application cycle has ended, but the "2013" application cycle beings on October 1st, 2012 with test dates beginning on October 15, 2012.

The 2013 Step 3 application cycle runs October 1, 2012 through August 30, 2013 with eligibility and available test dates beginning from October 15, 2012.

http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_faq.html


You do not need to be in a residency program to be eligible to take Step 3. Each state medical board has different requirements. Some states have no requirements on needing to be enrolled in a residency program to be eligible for Step 3, for example if you register under the Oklahoma board. Some limit how many attempts you can have in each Step as well as a time limit between Step 1 passing and Step 3 passing.