In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and national emergency in our country, the USMLE program has temporarily suspended all Step administrations and will not resume testing until mid-April at the earliest. This includes computer-based tests (Step 1, Step 2CK and Step 3) administered through Prometric as well as the Step 2 Clinical Skills test administered at six sites in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. (https://www.usmle.org/) A similar suspension is in place for our osteopathic colleagues that involves COMLEX-USA. (https://www.nbome.org/)
FSMB staff are working hard to assist impacted USMLE examinees, such as by supplying a free eligibility extension to assist examinees once testing resumes. It is likely that some examinees will find it difficult to test as quickly as they had planned once testing is resumed so your flexibility will be greatly appreciated.
Additional details about each of these changes is available in the Announcements section of the USMLE website at: https://www.usmle.org/announcements/
Pearson Vue Testing Centers Closed March 17 – April 16
NCCPA has received an important update from its test delivery vendor, Pearson VUE. In light of the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) related announcements by the federal government, continued government guidance, and with careful consideration, Pearson has decided to temporarily close all company-owned U.S. and Canada-based Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs) starting March 17, 2020 until April 16, or whenever conditions are deemed safe to re-open.
Pearson places highest priority on the safety and well-being of all candidates who test at their centers and has been implementing measures to help protect the health and safety of everyone who passes through their test centers. The COVID-19 impact has presented extraordinary challenges for Pearson to be able to provide a safe, healthy testing environment.
As you know, this situation is incredibly fast-paced and fluid, with new information emerging daily. NCCPA and Pearson will continually evaluate the issue and provide updates as information becomes available on test centers reopening. Please check NCCPA’s website or Pearson’s coronavirus update web site page for updated information. If you have questions for NCCPA, please email us at nccpa@nccpa.net.
