Rules and Regulations

X. REQUIREMENTS OF UNITED STATES MEDICAL LICENSING EXAM (USMLE)

A. All students are required to take the USMLE Step 1 examination prior to the Introduction to the Clinical Experience course except with permission of the Dean of Student Affairs. In addition to all other requirements, no student may receive credit for more than two third year clerkships without first passing USMLE Step 1.

  1. Students who do not pass the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt are allowed only two additional attempts within one calendar year following the first taking to successfully complete Step 1. Students may not take the USMLE Step 1 more than three times.
  2. If a student has taken one clinical clerkship without having passed USMLE Step 1, the student shall be placed in a program of independent study and shall not be permitted to begin a second clerkship until the student has retaken USMLE Step1.
  3. Students may not begin a third clerkship until notification of a passing score for USMLE Step 1 is received.

B. In addition to all other requirements, all students must pass Step 2 (Clinical Knowledge) and Step 2 (Clinical Skills) of the USMLE to be eligible to graduate.

  1. All students must register for USMLE Step 2CS no later than March 1 of the year preceding the anticipated graduation date. In addition, all students must schedule an examination date for Step 2CS between August 15 and December 31 of the academic year of anticipated graduation. Any student who does not comply with this requirement may not register for any fourth year rotations without the approval of a Dean of Student Affairs.
  2. All students must register for USMLE Step 2CK no later than September 1 of the academic year of anticipated graduation. In addition, all students must schedule, no later than June 1 of the academic year prior to anticipated graduation, an examination date for Step 2CK that is no later than December 31 of the academic year of anticipated graduation. Any student who does not comply with this requirement may not make changes in his or her fourth year schedule without the approval of a Dean of Student Affairs.