Test takers looking to schedule an initial appointment are encouraged to book their appointment as far in advance as possible (the earlier booked, the more choices test takers should have, especially when needs require an all-day testing slot). 

Typically, Prometric test center schedules open six (6) months in advance to support early scheduling. Test takers may find that this enables them to coordinate their testing date around detailed preparations and study plans. 

ACTION: To book an initial appointment after registering, USMLE test takers are encouraged to visit www.prometric.com/USMLE and use the left-side navigation bar to choose their exam or call 1-800-MED-EXAM (1-800-633-3926). For NBME Subject exams, test takers should visit: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/mss

One of the primary reasons for appointment cancellation during the pandemic is the limitation on occupancy at the testing center. Prometric opens seats for new appointments based on current local regulations and guidance. When more restrictive measures are implemented or remain in place for a longer than anticipated duration, Prometric has to remove existing appointments to remain in compliance with these ordinances.

Following our preference to retain appointments for as long as possible to allow for the possibility of relaxed or removed restrictions, Prometric will take the following measures when enacting occupancy cancellations, in order:

• Identify impacted appointments two (2) weeks prior to the examination date and cancels the appointment in our scheduling systems, which may take up to five (5) business days to complete.
• Notify those individuals of the cancellation.

Please note:  Unfortunately, there may be instances where some test takers scheduled for an exam on the same day will be cancelled, while others will be able to test. For occupancy cancellations, the testing locations are still operational and randomly selected test takers will be able to complete their testing appointments as originally scheduled.  Students who have NOT received notice of appointment cancellation should plan to sit for the examination as scheduled.

Aside from occupancy cancellations, some testing appointments unfortunately must be cancelled with little to no advance notice to test takers:

• These include events such as inclement weather, lost power, civil unrest, unplanned staffing absences, or site technical issues. In these circumstances, Prometric will do our best to reach out to test takers in advance; however, due to the nature of the issue, advance notice may be limited. 

Prometric takes the following measures when enacting unanticipated cancellations, in order:

• Provides each impacted test taker with an emailed pre-notification of the need to cancel the appointment.
• Cancels the appointment in our scheduling systems, which may take up to five (5) business days to complete.
• Notifies those individuals of the cancellation.

LIMITS ON INFORMATION RELEASED:  We cannot directly provide student information to medical schools due to privacy laws as well as our not having detailed information on student / institution relationships. Prometric provides NBME and USMLE with information on test takers that have had appointments involuntarily rescheduled.

Online Resource Center

Communications to Post on Your Website - “Prometric.com Resource Center”

ACTION: We recommend you copy and paste this information onto your school’s website, where appropriate, for test takers who are looking for Prometric resources during COVID-19.

For more information about taking your upcoming United States Medical Licensing Examination^® (USMLE^®) or NBME^® examinations, make sure to check out the following resources on Prometric.com regarding scheduling, site status, modified test center procedures, safety measures, FAQs, and examinee support.

• COVID-19 Test-Taker FAQ: provides answers to frequently asked questions you might have about impacts to your exam.
• COVID-19 Updates: provides the most current information on Prometric's operation status and safety measures.
• Site Updates List: captures any changes in program availability or occupancy restrictions at each test center, as well as reflects temporary closures due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Test Center Policies: provides a detailed look at our standard and social distancing policies and test center procedure modifications that you are expected to follow while at the test center.
• Travel Notice Advisory: provides Prometric’s policy for test takers traveling to take their USMLE exam.
• USMLE Exam Scheduling & Candidate Support: provides links for you to schedule your exam, the process for cancellations in the event of government regulations due to COVID-19 (including notice about waiting to schedule a new appointment until the prior appointment is out of the system), and test taker support contact numbers and hours of operation by region.
• What to Expect Video: provides an in-depth look at Prometric’s enhanced safety protocols and what you can expect when you come to a Prometric test center during COVID-19, from check-in all the way through exam completion.

Templates for Medical School Communications

We are providing the following templates for medical institutions to consider using with your test takers.

Social Media Templates:

• General Scheduling Template: Scheduling for the USMLE Summer admins is now open! To schedule your exam today or for more information, please visit https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/usmle.

• Seat Capacity Template: Progress update for USMLE examinees still looking to schedule their exam- Prometric continues to expand seats in many locations for test registration: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/usmle. Make sure to check back frequently, as more exam appointments open up.

• Safety Template: Prometric continues to modify and enhance its in-center procedures to ensure a safe testing experience for test takers. If you have an upcoming [insert assessment name] exam, make sure to review their updated test center policies: https://www.prometric.com/covid-19-update/test-center-policies.
 

Email Template:

Subject Line: Schedule Your [insert assessment name] Exam Today!

Dear Medical Student,

Scheduling for the [insert exam name] Summer admins is now open! To schedule your exam today or for more information, please visit https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/usmle. If you haven’t registered for your exam yet, please visit https://www.usmle.org/apply/index.html or https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/mss.  

To learn more about what safety measures Prometric is taking at their test locations, what to expect on test day, or how to find support, we recommend using the following Prometric.com resources.

• COVID-19 Test-Taker FAQ: provides answers to frequently asked questions you might have about impacts to your exam.
• COVID-19 Updates: provides the most current information on Prometric's operation status and safety measures.
• Site Updates List: captures any changes in program availability or occupancy restrictions at each test center, as well as reflects temporary closures due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
• Test Center Policies: provides a detailed look at our standard and social distancing policies and test center procedure modifications that you are expected to follow while at the test center.
• Travel Notice Advisory: provides Prometric’s policy for test takers traveling to take their USMLE exam.
• USMLE Exam Scheduling & Candidate Support: provides links for you to schedule your exam, the process for cancellations in the event of government regulations due to COVID-19 (including notice about waiting to schedule a new appointment until the prior appointment is out of the system), and test taker support contact numbers and hours of operation by region.
• What to Expect Video: provides an in-depth look at Prometric’s enhanced safety protocols and what you can expect when you come to a Prometric test center during COVID-19, from check-in all the way through exam completion.

We wish you the best of luck in studying and taking your exam!

USMLE Phone Support from Prometric Template:

For Prometric assistance regarding your USMLE exam, please visit https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/usmle and scroll down to the “Contacts By Location” section on the page