Policy Statement
All trainees must provide their program with documentation of a passing score on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 or an equivalent examination qualifying for medical licensure (e.g. Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-COMLEX) by six months into their PGY2 year (typically January 1).
Trainees who do not notify their program of a passing score by six months into their PGY2 year (typically January 1) may be dismissed from the program based upon the Program Director’s discretion.
Upon application to the program, trainees who transfer into a University program (PGY-3 and beyond) are required to provide documentation of a passing score on their examination.
Refer to your Program Manual for additional program specific guidelines.
Policy Exemption
Applicants who:
- are non-physicians with a Ph.D. degree who are eligible to train in an ACGME-approved fellowship, as listed in the subspecialty program requirements, or
- hold a MD/DO degree and a PhD but have not completed an ACGME-accredited GME Residency program who are eligible to train in ACGME-approved fellowship, as listed in the subspecialty program requirements
are exempt from the requirements of this policy.
Reason for Policy
To ensure that residents/fellows (trainees) complete the required licensing examination within the specified timeframe so that upon graduation from their program they will have completed the preliminary requirements to practice medicine in the United States.
Responsibilities
Program Responsibilities
Departments and programs are responsible for overseeing and ensuring compliance with these examination requirements.
Related Information
Federation of State Medical Boards: http://www.fsmb.org/
National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners: http://www.nbome.org/