Professional Exams
USMLE – The United States Medical Licensing Examination
Step One assesses whether you understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, with special emphasis on principles and mechanisms underlying health, disease, and modes of therapy. Step 1 ensures mastery of not only the sciences that provide a foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine in the present, but also the scientific principles required for maintenance of competence through lifelong learning. Step 1 is constructed according to an integrated content outline that organizes basic science material along two dimensions: system and process. The exam takes 8 hours and is administered in 7 one-hour blocks over the course of a day.
Step Two assesses whether you can apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for the provision of patient care under supervision and includes emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention. Step 2 ensures that due attention is devoted to principles of clinical sciences and basic patient-centered skills that provide the foundation for the safe and competent practice of medicine. The test takes nine hours, and is administered in 8 one-hour blocks over the course of a day.
ID Policy
For a USMLE exam, the examinee must present one form of non-expired, government-issued, photo- and signature-bearing ID in order to test. Examinee must present his/her Scheduling Permit as well.
If the primary ID does not have a signature, the examinee must present a form of non-expired, signature ID. Acceptable forms of primary ID include Driver’s license, Military ID, Passport, Alien Registration card, National ID card, ECFMG Identification card. Acceptable forms of signature ID only include School ID card, Employee ID card and Credit card.
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. Steps 1 & 2 are conducted at all our ITAS testing centers. Step-3 is conducted within USA and its territories. Each of the three Steps complements the others.
It is very important that the name which you register with exactly matches the name appearing on your ID.If there are any name discrepancies, then you would be asked for other valid IDs. Even then, if the name on your presented IDs does not match your registered name, you will be turned away.
Test Availability
At ITAS testing centers, USMLE test is offered six days a week, Monday through Saturday, throughout the year, except local and religious holidays.
Exam Fees:
For information and process of ECFMG application, Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS please visit ECFMG Fees.
Exams Registration
Students and graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada can apply for Step 1 and Step 2 by following the instructions at the ECFMG website on ECFMG 2012 Information Booklet. Review and follow the application instructions, complete your application, and submit it to the ECFMG.
Obtaining Eligibility Period for Step 1 and Step 2
When applying for Step 1 or Step 2, you must select a three-month period, such as January-February-March or February-March-April, during which you prefer to take the examination. A Scheduling Permit with instructions for making an appointment at a Prometric Test Center will be issued to you after your registration entity processes your application and determines your eligibility. The Scheduling Permit specifies the three-month eligibility period during which you must complete the examination. During peak periods, allow up to approximately four weeks for processing of your application.
After obtaining your Scheduling Permit, you are able to contact Prometric immediately to schedule a test date. Prometric schedules testing appointments for Steps 1 and 2 CK up to six months in advance.
Scheduling Step 1 and Step 2
Your Scheduling Permit will be issued to you when the processing of your application is complete. You should verify the information on your Scheduling Permit before scheduling your appointment. Your Scheduling Permit includes the following:
- your name
- the examination for which you registered,
- your eligibility period,
- your testing region,
- your Scheduling Number,
- your Candidate Identification Number (CIN)
When scheduling you will be, you will be required to provide information found only on your Scheduling Permit. When you schedule your appointment, you will receive the following specific information:
- the confirmed test day(s), date(s), and time
- the address and telephone number of the Prometric Test Center where you will test; and
- your Prometric Confirmation Number(s)
After you schedule your testing appointment, you can print a confirmation of your appointment from the prometric website. Scheduling a test appointment for a specific date at a Prometric Test Center is not a guarantee that the scheduled test time or location will remain available. You are encouraged to confirm your testing appointment one week prior to your test date.
You will not be able to take the test if you do not bring your Scheduling Permit to the test center.
Reschedule/Cancel exam
If you are unable to keep your testing appointment on the scheduled date(s) or at the scheduled location, you may change your date(s) or center by following the instructions on your Scheduling Permit for contacting Prometric. You will need to provide your Prometric Confirmation Number when you reschedule.
To avoid a rescheduling fee, you must cancel or reschedule your appointment at least five business days before your appointment. If you are testing outside the United States or Canada, you must cancel or reschedule by noon local time of the Regional Registration Center for your testing region at least five business days before your appointment. If you provide less than five business days’ notice, Prometric will charge you a fee to reschedule your test date(s).
There is no fee to cancel a scheduled testing appointment; the fee, if applicable, is due at the time of rescheduling.
- If you cancel more than 14 calendar days before (but not including) your scheduled test date, there is no fee to reschedule.
- If you cancel during the 14-day period before (but not including) your scheduled test date, your fee will be $150 when you reschedule.
- If you miss your scheduled testing appointment without canceling, your fee will be $400 when you reschedule.
If you are unable to keep your scheduled testing appointment, you should cancel your appointment as soon as possible to avoid a rescheduling fee, regardless of whether you are ready to reschedule.
Note: Your rescheduled test date(s) must fall within your assigned eligibility period.
Scores and Score Reports
The requirements for passing the USMLE Step examinations are reviewed periodically. Notice of such reviews and the results of these reviews will be posted to the USMLE website.
There are two scales on which USMLE results are reported, a three-digit scale and a two-digit scale. On the three-digit scale, the current minimum passing scores are as follows: *
| Examination | Minimum Passing Score |
| Step 1 | Pass/Fail |
| Step 2 CK | 184 |
On the two-digit scale, the minimum passing score is always a 75.
Your score report includes a pass/fail designation, numerical scores, and graphical performance profiles summarizing areas of strength and weakness to aid in self-assessment. These profiles are developed solely for your benefit and will not be reported or verified to any third party. Results for computer-based examinations are typically available within three to four weeks after your test date. However, delays are possible for various reasons. In selecting your test date and inquiring about results, you should allow at least eight weeks to receive notification that your score report is available.
Test Preparation Materials
Sample Test Materials
The best preparation for the USMLE is a general, thorough review of the content reflected in the examination descriptions available on the USMLE website or from your registration entity and run the sample test materials available on the USMLE website or on the 2010 USMLE compact disc (CD). The 2010 USMLE CD is available through your registration entity.
Practicing with the Software
You should acquaint yourself with the test software well before your test date(s). Practice time is not available on the test day, and test center staff is not authorized to provide instruction on use of the software.
Sample test materials to practice with the software (both multiple-choice questions and Primum CCS cases) are available at the USMLE website.
Disability Services
The USMLE program provides reasonable accommodations for examinees with disabilities that are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADA). For details on disability services please contact:
PMI – Project Management
Institute
PMI credentials establish your dedication to and proficiency in project management. To attain a credential, you must satisfy the educational and professional experience requirements established by PMI and demonstrate your ability to apply your project management knowledge to situational and scenario-based questions in the examination.
In PMI there are currently five credentials available and no one credential serves as a prerequisite for another. The credentials include:
Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)- PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
- PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
- Program Management Professional (PgMP)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
ID Policy
In order to appear in the PMI exam the examinee must present one form of non-expired, government-issued, photo- and signature-bearing ID. If the primary ID presented does not bear a signature or photo, the examinee must present one form of secondary ID containing a photo and/or signature -whichever is missing from the primary ID. Acceptable forms of primary ID are limited to Driver’s license, Passport and National Identity card and Military ID. Acceptable forms of supplemental ID include Credit card, Bank (ATM) card and Employee ID card.
It is very important that the name which you register with exactly matches the name appearing on your ID. If there are any name discrepancies, then you would be asked for other valid IDs. Even then, if the name on your presented IDs does not match your registered name, you will be turned away.
Test Availability
At ITAS testing centers, PMI is offered four days a week, Monday through Thursday, throughout the year.
Exam Fees:
You must submit payment of the PMP credential fee as part of the payment process (if you submit an application online) or as part of the application process (if you submit a paper application). You can submit payment by credit card using the online certification system or through postal mail to PMI if you chose to pay by check, money order or wire. For all mail-in payments, please include your PMI identification number and user name.
The proper fees for payment are determined by your PMI membership status and the examination delivery option (computer-based versus paper-based) for your geographic location. Once you determine the examination delivery option, use the following chart to determine the credential fee.
| PMP | CAPM | PgMP | PMI-SP | PMI-RMP | |
| Fees | PMI Member US $ 405 Non Members US $ 555 | PMI Member US $ 225 Non Members US $ 300 | PMI Member US $ 1500 Non Members US $ 1800 | PMI Member US $ 520 Non Members US $ 670 | PMI Member US $ 520 Non Members US $ 670 |
| Exam information | 4 hours: 200 question | 3 hours: 150 question | 4 hours: 170 question | 3.5 hours: 170 question | 3.5 hours: 170 question |
The PMI membership rate will apply only if you are a member of PMI in good standing at the time you submit payment for the credential. If you apply for membership right before you apply for the credential, make sure you receive confirmation of your membership before you pay for the credential. If your membership has not been completely processed, you will be charged the nonmember rate.
If PMI membership is obtained after you submit payment for the credential, PMI will not refund the difference. If you are interested in becoming a member of PMI at the time you apply for the credential, you can submit your membership application, credential application at the same time, and receive the membership rate. PMI membership applications are available online at http://www.pmi.org.
Exams Registration
You can use the online certification system to:
- Apply and submit payment to take or retake any PMI examination and/or evaluation
- View your submitted credential application
- View your examination eligibility status
- Download PMI audit forms and/or exam reports
- Access your certification record and update your contact information
- View your listing on the Credential Registry
- Submit payment for credential renewal
- Download receipts
Follow the link to PMI Certification to gain access to the online certification system.
Reschedule/Cancel exam
If you need to cancel or reschedule a CBT examination, you must do so no later than 48 hours before your scheduled examination appointment.
You should call Prometric directly and not the local site where you are scheduled to take the examination. You can cancel online by following the prompts on the prometric website.
| Cancellation/Reschedule Policy | |
| Examination Type | Time requirements |
| CBT | 48 hours before the examination |
In case of extenuating circumstances (e.g., medical emergency, military deployment, death in immediate family, illness in immediate family) which may prevent you from meeting a scheduled examination appointment, resulting in a no-show status. You should contact PMI Customer Care within 72 hours following the scheduled examination date along with the supporting documents. If you do not contact PMI within 72 hours following a missed appointment, fees will apply in order to schedule a new appointment. PMI will review all claims on a case-by-case basis.
Scores and Score Reports
PMI report defines the levels of “proficiency” as follows:
- Proficient – indicates performance is above the average level of knowledge in this domain.
- Moderately Proficient – indicates performance that is at the average level of knowledge in this domain.
- Below Proficient – indicates performance is below the average level of knowledge in this domain.
NOTE: You will not see your certification status on the Online Registry until PMI receives your examination results from Prometric.
Disability Services:
You may request the administration of any PMI examination to be modified due to disability, handicap and/or other conditions that may impair your ability to take the examination. For information on special accommodations please e-mail: certexamdelivery@pmi.org.
DHA – Dubai Health Authority
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) is an assessing body to supervise the health care department in Dubai, UAE. The Health Regulation Department (HRD) in DHA is exclusively liable for licensing the qualified professionals with proper skills to make certain the quality of healthcare services and safety of inhabitants in Dubai.
ID Policy:
For the DHA exam, the examinee must present valid, original Passport. No other forms of ID are acceptable. It is very important that the name which you register with exactly matches the name appearing on your ID.
Test Availability
At ITAS testing centers, DHA exam is available from Monday to Friday, five days a week throughout the year.
Exam Fee & Registration:
Registration requires profile creation on DHA website, complete process is explained in the PDF linked: https://www.dha.gov.ae/Documents/HRD/Healthcare%20professionals/Physicians/Booklet_Professional_Licensing.pdf
Fee structure for DHA exam varies according to the specialty program, for further information please visit https://www.dha.gov.ae/en/HealthRegulation/pages/required.aspx
Rescheduling/Cancellation of Exam:
Appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled by calling the Regional Candidate Care or visiting www.prometric.com at least five (5) full calendar days before the appointment.
- A $40 fee is applicable to any changes made to the appointment.
- If cancellation is at least five full calendar days before the appointment, a refund (minus the $40 fee) will be given. No changes can be made 5 days or less before the appointment.
For retaking the test, the candidate must re-register with DHA to obtain new eligibility for scheduling an appointment to test.
Score Reports:
Scores are released by DHA and emailed to candidates within 5-8 working days.
Disability Services:
DHA does not provide accommodation testing services.
IFOM – International Foundations of Medicine
The International Foundations of Medicine Program enables medical schools and other organizations around the world to assess students’ knowledge and compare their performance against international benchmarks.
This exam is used for a variety of purposes, including evaluating student knowledge at key points in their education, selecting candidates for training programs, granting national certifications, and personal or curricular benchmarking.
ID Policy:
For the FOM exam, the examinee must present one form of non-expired, government-issued, photo- and signature-bearing ID in English language i.e. Passport or SMART CNIC. Examinee must present his/her Scheduling Permit as well.
Test Availability:
At ITAS testing centers, IFOM exam is available in twice a year window.
Exam Fee & Registration:
Only currently enrolled medical students or medical school graduates are eligible to take the IFOM CSE or BSE. All applicants must have their credentials verified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®) For complete information and process of FOM registration, please visit https://www.nbme.org/examinees/international-foundation-medicine
Rescheduling/Cancellation of Exam:
- If appointment is changed 31 or more calendar days before (but not including) the first day of your scheduled test date, there is no fee.
- If appointment is changed fewer than 31 calendar days but more than 5 calendar days before (but not including) the first day of your scheduled test date, the fee is $30 USD.
- If appointment is changed 5 or fewer calendar days before (but not including) the first day of your scheduled test date, the fee is $47.00 USD.
NOTE: If a candidate cancels appointment without rescheduling, there is no guarantee that testing appointments during the testing window will be available at a given test center, or at any test center, when an attempt to rescheduling is made. If one does not reschedule within the assigned testing window, he/she must submit a new application and payment to take the exam.
Score Reports:
IFOM results are typically reported within three weeks after the test date. However, delays are possible for various reasons. Once the score report is available, candidate will receive an e-mail with retrieval instructions. Score reports are available for download for two calendar years after posting. Once the link to the download expires, it can not be retrieved from the website.
Disability Services:
Accommodation testing request must be sent to IFOM for approval before registering test requiring disability services.
SCFHS – Saudi Commission for Health Specialties
The Saudi commission aims at upgrading professional performance, developing skills that enrich scientific literature and properly apply knowledge in the various fields of health specialties. Some functions include approving and supervising professional health specialist programs; accrediting health institutions that provide training; supervising specialty exams and validating their results; certifying qualified professionals; encouraging health research and publication; holding conferences and symposia for the region’s health community; and setting criteria for practicing health professionals.
Test Availability:
At ITAS testing centers, SCFHS exam is available from Monday to friday throughout the year except for SMLE, SPLE and SDLE which are windowed based exams.
Exam Fee & Registration:
To be able to take the SCHS exam the candidates need to register with SCHS first and have a valid eligibility number to schedule exam at (http://www.prometric.com).
For information and process of SCHS registration, please visit https://www.scfhs.org.sa/en/eservices/services/Pages/registration.aspx
Rescheduling/Cancellation of Exam:
Appointments may be cancelled or rescheduled by calling the Regional Candidate Care or visiting www.prometric.com at least Thirty (30) calendar days before the appointment.
- If candidate cancels or reschedules 16 to 30 calendar days before the test date, they will be charged a standard $50 cancelation/reschedule fee. No changes can be made between 15 and less days before the test date.
- Cancel or Reschedule 30 Calendar Days or more before the test date: Free of Charge
- Cancel or Reschedule 16 to 30 Calendar Days before the test date: Standard $50 cancelation/reschedule fee.
- Cancel or Reschedule 15 Calendar Days or less before the test date: No Refund, the candidate will lose the original test fee.
Score Reports:
Typically, the test results will be posted in the SCFHS electronic portal within 7-10 working days.
Disability Services:
As per the policy, Saudi Commission for Health Specialties does not allow any person with disabilities to take the SCFHS exams.
CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst
The CFA Program is a three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning. The CFA Program is typically completed by those with backgrounds in finance, accounting, economics, or business. CFA charter holders earn the right to use the CFA designation after program completion, application and acceptance by CFA Institute. CFA charter holders are qualified to work in senior and executive positions in investment management, risk management, asset management, and more.
ID Policy:
Candidate must present a valid international travel passport. A valid international travel passport must meet the following requirements:
- Is an original document (photocopies are not allowed) and is current (not expired)
- Contains the candidate’s name, date of birth, passport number, and expiration date
- Is machine readable (handwritten passports will not be accepted); and
- Includes a recognizable photograph on the passport data page
Test Availability:
CFA exams are window-based registrations and are available to be taken in any of three ITAS centers.
Exam Fee & Registration:
Candidate registers with CFA Institute and passes over eligibility with approved dates. Once approved, eligibility is passed through by CFA Institute, Candidate can schedule:
- Online via her/his MYCFA Account (http://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/register)
- Prometric call center (Malaysia for South Asian region)
For fee structures please visit https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/exam
Rescheduling/Cancellation of Exam:
Candidates will have the right to reschedule their appointment only during the scheduling window. For each reschedule the candidate will be charged a rescheduling fee.
Score Reports:
Results from computer-based (CBT) exams are expected to be available approximately 6 – 7 weeks after the close of an exam window.
Disability Services:
For requesting disability accommodation, candidate need to contact CFA institute for approval. For further details please visit https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/exam/disability-accommodations
