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No change to Step 3 minimum passing standard

The USMLE program reviews the passing standard for each exam every three to four years. The review ensures that the standard aligns with the level of content mastery needed.

November 2026 Illuminator Newsletter

Shining a Light on Match News that Matters This issue of the Illuminator includes: 2027 Main Residency Match® News and Reminders Applicant Match History in the R3 system The Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) …

NRMP Releases Landmark Reports that Advance Transparency in the Transition to Residency

The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has released three new reports offering first-of-their-kind analyses of key factors influencing the transition to residency, expanding the evidence available to inform conversations and decision-making across the graduate …

Matched, Unmatched, and Beyond: Applicant Characteristics and Residency Placement Outcomes, 2022–2025

The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) has released Matched, Unmatched, and Beyond: Applicant Characteristics and Residency Placement Outcomes, 2022–2025, a first-of-its-kind report that considers residency placement outcomes across the Main Residency Match® and Supplemental …

October 2026 Illuminator Newsletter

Medical school officials can track students’ participation by uploading a list into the NRMP’s system. As seniors register they are automatically removed from the list, allowing officials to follow up with unregistered students.

NRMP and NBME Publish Report on Program Ranking Patterns

The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) and NBME have released a new report. The report covers a multitude of applicant characteristics. It details findings for all applicant characteristics examined across 21 specialties.

NRMP Issues Call for Nominations for Board of Directors

NRMP Board of Directors seeking nominations for directors whose terms would begin July 1, 2027.Deadline for submissions is October 30, 2026. Nominations must be completed at the time of submission.

New Webinar: 2027 Match Overview for Medical Schools

Medical school officials and administrators recently hosted a webinar on the 2027 Main Res residency Match. The webinar was hosted by Match Operations and Policy and Compliance.

2027 Main Residency Match Welcome Newsletters

Applicant and medical school registration for the 2027 Main Residency Match® opens on September 15 at 12 p.m. ET. We created welcome newsletters for U.S. seniors, IMGs, and medical schools. Each newsletter provides information …

Medical School Welcome Newsletter

Dear Medical School Officials and Administrators, The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) is pleased to welcome you to the 2027 Main Residency Match®! Registration opens at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 15. Below …

IMG Welcome Newsletter

Dear International Medical School Student/Graduate, The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) is pleased to welcome you to the 2027 Main Residency Match®! Registration opens at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 15. There are …

U.S. Senior Welcome Newsletter

Dear U.S. Senior, The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) is pleased to welcome you to the 2027 Main Residency Match®! Registration opens at 12 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 15. There are two distinct …

Scheduled Review of USMLE Step 3 Passing Standard

The USMLE Management Committee will review the passing standard for Step 3 at its 2026 meeting. A comprehensive review and analysis of the standard for each Step exam typically happens every three to four …

Updated Timeline for USMLE’s Designated Testing Dates: Transition Will Take Place in January 2029

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program will implement Designated Testing Dates exam administration during January 2029. The updated implementation date will give schools additional time to adjust policies and curricula.

A Letter to the Medical Education Community: Addressing the USMLE’s Transition to Designated Testing Dates

USMLE program will reduce the number of days Step exams are offered each year. Exam delivery models are adapting to address increasingly sophisticated security threats.

USMLE Designated Testing Dates Information Hub

USMLE to Transition to Limited Testing Dates Each Year Starting in 2028*

USMLE Program Conducts Practice Analysis Study

The USMLE program is conducting a practice analysis study. Study will gather information from licensed physicians about scope of professional practice.

FSMB To Process USMLE® Transcripts for the ERAS® Service Starting on June 4, 2026

The Federation of State Medical boards (FSMB) will begin processing all transcript requests on June 4, 2026. The 2027 Electronic Residency Application service (ERAS) application season will begin on that date.

New USMLE® Accommodations Request Process Launching June 1, 2026

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) program will integrate test accommodations request process into NBME’s My USMLE℠ Portal. This new online process will launch on June 1, 2026. The scheduled outage has been …