The NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners) is an independent nonprofit organization that, together with the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB), sponsors the USMLE. It develops the exam content and also offers medical education assessment products.
Candidates most often meet the NBME through its self-assessments, practice forms that estimate readiness for a Step exam. They are widely used in preparation, though they are practice tools, not official predictions.
Note that IMGs do not apply for the USMLE through NBME directly: certification-related applications go through ECFMG / Intealth, and since January 2026 FSMB handles Step exam registration and services for IMGs. Check the official pages for the current arrangement. See the self-assessments guide.