PURPOSE / SCOPE:
Provide a description of student doctor eligibility and requirements for taking the COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2 Cognitive Evaluation (CE).
DEFINITIONS:
- COMLEX-USA – Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam
- NBOME – National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
- COMSAE – Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Exam
- PAR Committee – Professionalism and Academic Review Committee
POLICY:
Level 1
Level 1 is taken at the end of the successful completion of OMS-II coursework, typically May-mid-June. ICOM student doctors must sit for the COMLEX-USA Level 1 by a date determined by the Senior Associate Dean for Learner Outcomes and Assessment in discussion and agreement with the Office of Clinical Affairs. This date will be based on the score reporting dates set by the NBOME with the intention of having the Level 1 scores reported prior to the start of Block 2 in the OMS III year. In order to sit for COMLEX-USA Level 1, the student doctor must achieve a minimum score as determined by ICOM for the NBOME COMSAE. ICOM will pay for the first qualifying exam with student doctors responsible for the cost of subsequent exams or programs. Student doctors will have two attempts to achieve a minimum pre- identified score on the qualifying exam.
The student doctor must have a passing score on the Level 1 prior to beginning OMS III rotations. If a student doctor fails the first attempt of the Level 1, they will be removed from the next rotation in order to prepare for the retake. The student doctor will meet with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, the Senior Associate Dean for Learner Outcomes and Assessment and their advisor to discuss changes to their rotation schedule, required timelines for the retake and their study plan for the retake. The student doctor may return to rotations while waiting for the score after the second attempt if allowed by the core rotation site. Any student doctor who fails COMLEX-USA Level 1 a second time will complete their current rotation at the time of the score being reported. They will be required to appear before the PAR Committee and if granted a third attempt, will be placed on an academic leave of absence. They will be encouraged to take a formal boards prep program and may not return to clinical rotations until a passing score is received. Student doctors in this situation may not be on schedule to graduate with their class, and must be able to accomplish all COMLEX-USA requirements and courses within the six-year timeframe. A student doctor is permitted only three attempts to pass COMLEX- USA Level 1.
Level 2 CE
Level 2 CE is taken at the end of the successful completion of OMS III coursework, typically mid-June to mid- July, and prior to beginning block 2 of the OMS IV year. In order to sit for the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE, the student doctor must achieve a pre-identified “passing” score on a qualifying exam, such as an ICOM- proctored COMSAE. ICOM identifies the passing parameters for this exam and will pay for the first COMSAE, with student doctors responsible for the cost of subsequent exams. Student doctors will be required to register for COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE prior to taking the COMSAE.
If all OMS III coursework has been passed and the student doctor has taken or is registered to take the L2 CE within the ICOM designated timeframe, they may begin OMS IV rotations while waiting for the score. Students who fail their first attempt at COMLEX-USA level II must sit for their retake in a time determined by the Senior Associate Dean of Learner Outcomes and Assessment with discussion and agreement with the Office of Clinical Affairs. Any student doctor who fails COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE a second time will complete their current rotation at the time of the score being reported. They will be required to appear before the PAR Committee and if granted a third attempt, will be placed on an academic leave of absence. They will be encouraged to take a formal boards prep program and may not return to clinical rotations until a passing score is received. Student doctors in this situation may not be on schedule to graduate with their class, and must be able to accomplish all COMLEX-USA requirements and courses within the six-year timeframe. Student doctors who are unsuccessful on the third attempt of the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE will be dismissed.
Prior to graduation, each student doctor must pass the COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-CE, as well as the requirements for the Dean’s attestation of clinical skills. They will be allowed a maximum of three attempts for each of these exams. Failure to pass each of these exams will result in dismissal.
ICOM will maintain longitudinal records marking achievements of graduates in a comprehensive assessment system. This assessment will include: COMLEX-USA Level 1, COMLEX-USA Level 2 (CE) and COMLEX-USA Level 3 passage rates.
POLICY OWNER:
Senior Associate Dean for Learner Outcomes and Assessment
APPROVAL:
Effective: 8/23/21
Last Reviewed: 5/6/23
Review Requirement: 3 Years