Policy 431: USMLE Timing Requirements Policy

Policy Number: 431 

Date Approved: 12/04/2024

Executive Responsibility: Faculty Curriculum Committee

431.1 USMLE Step 1

Students must take the USMLE Step 1 Examination between successful completion of Balance, Control & Repair and the last Saturday before Doctoring Bootcamp to be eligible to start clerkships. 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. Doctoring Bootcamp is part of Clinical Medicine Doctoring, and thus all incoming Doctoring phase students are required to successfully complete bootcamp.

In order for a student to graduate with their cohort, a student cannot be more than two (2) six-week blocks behind.

  • If a student begins clerkships and subsequently does not receive a passing Step 1 score, the student is considered to be on probationary status and will adhere to the policy as dictated in the Academic Standing policy.
  • The student has the option to either: 1) complete the clerkship currently enrolled, or 2) withdraw from the clerkship to resume Step 1 preparation.
    • 1) Students who successfully complete the clerkship in which they were enrolled will be enrolled in 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 completing a retake 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 a possible recommendation to repeat Foundations year 2.
    • 2) Students who choose to withdraw from the clerkship will follow the Step 1 delay policy below (431.1.1).

431.1.1 Step 1 Delay

Students who are unable to take Step 1 on or before the last Saturday before Doctoring Bootcamp are required to start Clinical Medicine Doctoring, (including 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 for Medical Education and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Admissions
    • Upon approval of delaying Step 1, students will be required to complete a learning contract in conjunction with the Associate Deans for 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 a possible recommendation to repeat Foundations year 2. Any student who failed Step 1 is considered on probationary status and will adhere to the policy as dictated in the Academic Standing policy.

431.2 USMLE 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 15th 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 for Student Affairs and Admissions and the Medical Student Career Services Manager to determine eligibility to participate in Match.
  • Students who fail Step 2 CK are considered on probationary status and will adhere to the policy as dictated in the Academic Standing policy.
  • A second attempt on Step 2 CK must be completed within 12 months of the notification of failure(s). 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.

·       In order to graduate with their cohort, a student must have a passing score on Step 2 CK no later than June 30 of that calendar year.