USMLE Timing Requirements Policy

USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Timing Requirement Policy

Step 1

Students must take the USMLE Step 1 Examination after successful completion of Balance, Control & Repair on or before the last Saturday before Doctoring Bootcamp to be eligible to start clerkships; all students are required to take Doctoring Bootcamp. If extenuating circumstances arise with meeting this deadline, then students must contact both the Associate Dean for Medical Education and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Admissions.

• If a student begins clerkships and subsequently does not receive a passing Step 1 score, the student may choose to complete the clerkship currently enrolled, but will not be eligible to complete the remaining clerkships until the student receives a passing Step 1 score
  • The student will be enrolled in an Advanced Step 1 Prep course (DME 8306), with the expectation that the student must take the exam in order to receive a passing Step 1 score by the start of Doctoring Block 4
  • If a student receives a passing score on or before the start of Doctoring Block 4, the student will continue with clerkships in Doctoring Block 4 or sooner, as appropriate
  • If a student does not receive a passing score by the start of Doctoring Block 4, either by not retaking the exam or by failing their second attempt the student will be required to meet with the Associate Dean for Medical Education and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Admissions and referred to the Student Promotions Committee (SPC) with the recommendation to repeat Foundations year 2. 

Step 1 Delay

Students who are unable to take Step 1 on or before the last Saturday before Doctoring Bootcamp are required to take Doctoring Bootcamp, but are not eligible to begin clerkships.

• Students who delay taking Step 1 must be granted prior approval from both the Associate Dean of Medical Education and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Admissions
  • Upon approval of delaying Step 1, students will be required to complete a learning contract in conjunction with the Associate Deans of Medical Education and Student Affairs & Admissions and will be enrolled in an Advanced Step 1 Prep course (DME 8306), with the expectation that the student must take and receive a passing Step 1 before entering a Doctoring block.
  • If a student receives a passing score before the start of Doctoring Block 2, the student will be eligible to begin clerkships in Doctoring Block 2.
  • If a student receives a passing score before the start of Doctoring Block 3 and/or 3/4A, the student will be eligible to begin clerkships in Doctoring Block 3 and/or 3/4A.
  • If a student does not receive a passing score by the start of Doctoring Block 3 and/or 3/4A, either by not taking the exam or by failing their attempt, the student will be required to meet with the Associate Dean for Medical Education and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Admissions and referred to the Student Promotions Committee (SPC) with the recommendation to repeat Foundations year 2.

Step 2 CK

Students are required to take the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) Examination no earlier than Advanced Doctoring Bootcamp and no later than December 15^th of their Advanced Doctoring year.

• Each student must receive a passing score on Step 2 CK available at the time that the school certifies students for the NRMP Main Residency Match. Students who do not receive a passing score on Step 2 CK must meet with the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions to determine eligibility to participate in Match

• Students who fail Step 2 CK the first time must initiate contact with the Academic Advisor within two (2) weeks of notification to develop a study plan for re-taking the exam. The Academic Advisor will work with the student and appropriate faculty to facilitate remediation and review activities to correct deficiencies in knowledge or skills in preparation for the re-take
   
• A second attempt on Step 2 CK must be completed within 12 months of the notification of failure(s). The Office of Student Affairs and Admissions will notify the student of the date the second attempt must be completed. This time limit applies even if the student is on a Leave of Absence
  • If a student does not receive a passing score after two attempts on Step 2 CK or is unable to complete a second attempt within 12 months, the student will be referred to SPC.

Revised and approved by FCC on 7/24/24