The USMLE Step 1 exam is a standardized medical licensing exam that is required by US medical schools to progress in the curriculum. It is generally taken at the end of students' second year of medical school. Students spend months in dedicated preparation for this exam, as it is currently the number one factor that medical residencies use in deciding what students can match into their program and become licenced physicians. 

Currently, Prometric, the company that administers the test, is abiding by governmental social distancing regulations. While we are thankful for their contribution to keeping Americans healthy, this also means that test slots--which are hard to come by for a desired date to begin with--have been cut in half. Because of this, students must now defer taking their exam months into their third year, meaning that there will be no dedicated study time for these students to retain information. Instead, they will have to study on top of working at the hospital as third-year students. This will disproportionately affect these students' test scores, which places them at an inherent disadvantage for obtaining matches in their desired residency specialty. 

US medical schools are ready and willing to administer the test, but as of right now, they are not being allowed to do so. Many of these schools have testing areas that are equipped with video surveillance, dedicated computers, and single rooms allowing for isolation of students to prevent further spread of infection. These schools should be allowed to administer the test so that students can have a fair chance at taking their test at the time they initially planned for. 

Please, whether you are a medical student or not, sign this petition to aid the future physicians of America. We're counting on you to help us be the best doctors we can be.