3 - USMLE

It is the expectation that all DGSOM UCLA medical school graduates be able to practice medicine in California and other states.  The curriculum and experiences are designed to give each student the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior to be successful in starting a residency and ultimately practicing as a physician. Therefore, it is a requirement of the School of Medicine that students take and pass all relevant components of USMLE during medical school.

Choose your policy below:

3a - United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1

1. The deadline to take Step 1 exam is the last possible testing date before the start of Clinical Foundations. 
2. All students must receive a passing score within one year after the completion of the Year 2 curriculum (i.e., twelve months from the completion of Block 9).  Failure to meet this requirement will result in Academic/Professional Probation designation (with the exception of the students in 4a below).
3. For students who fail to sit for the exam by the deadline:
   1. Failure to sit for the exam by the deadline will result in a designation of Experiencing Academic/Professional Difficulty.
   2. Students in this category will not be allowed to start Year 3 until the student takes and receives a passing score on Step 1.  Upon passing Step 1, students may be permitted to begin Year 3 at the soonest practical opportunity, subject to availability of clerkship placement slots, no later than the start of the next academic year.
   3. Students must receive a passing score within one year after the completion of the Year 2 curriculum (i.e., twelve months from the completion of Block 9).  Failure to meet this requirement will result in Academic/Professional Probation designation and referral to CASPP for a review of their circumstances and possible dismissal.
   4. Students in this circumstance who intend to delay taking USMLE Step 1 shall meet and discuss their choice with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs or designee, to formally communicate their intent and to ensure they are aware of and have considered the academic and non-academic implications of this choice, including but not limited to availability of clerkship slots and impact on financial aid. This meeting shall be done in advance of published deadlines for clerkship schedule change and other relevant deadlines.
4. Exceptions to the deadline to take the Step 1 exam before the start of Clinical Foundations include the following:
   1. Students completing the MS-2 year and going on an approved Academic Leave of Absence to pursue their PhD degree, Master’s degree, or a year of formal engagement in research are advised to take USMLE Step 1 before the start of Clinical Foundations, but may elect to take the exam at a later time; they must have taken and passed the exam, however, before the start of their first clinical clerkship of their return to the MD curriculum. This does not apply to students enrolled in the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) who must have a passing score on Step 1 prior to starting graduate school in order to receive funding from the program.  Students who are considering a delay in taking USMLE Step 1 must meet and discuss their schedule with a Dean, and with program leadership (MSTP, PRIME, Drew), if applicable, to ensure they are aware of and have considered the academic and non-academic implications of this choice.
   2. Individual exceptions to the deadline to take USMLE Step 1 may apply based upon a student's need to remediate and/or retake one or more course examinations.
5. Students receiving financial aid are responsible for meeting with the Financial Aid Office to understand the financial ramifications of delaying or interrupting the clinical clerkships.
6. USMLE Step 1 Failure:

a. One Failure:

First time failure of the Step 1 exam will result in the Experiencing Academic/Professional Difficulty designation. The student may complete the current clerkship but cannot begin any further clerkship until the Step 1 exam is retaken and passed. Upon confirmation of passing the Step 1 exam, the student may resume the Year 3 curriculum.  Students who do not have a passing score within one year after the completion of the Year 2 curriculum will be placed on Academic/Professional Probation.

b.  Two (2) Failures:

Failing the Step 1 exam twice will result in the designation of Academic/Professional Probation. The student may not return to the curriculum until the Step 1 exam is retaken and passed.  Students who do not have a passing score within one year of the date they were notified of their failing score on the second attempt to pass USMLE Step 1 will be referred to CASPP for consideration of dismissal from medical school.

c. Three (3) Failures:

Failing the Step 1 exam three times will result in dismissal from medical school.

Updated May 2018

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3b - United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2CK and Step 2CS

1. All DGSOM students must successfully pass their Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS exams in order to graduate and receive their diploma.
2. Students must receive passing scores on both the Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS exams by the annual deadline for their rank order lists to be verified by DGSOM for participation in the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Without verification by the medical school, students will not be able to move forward in the match process.
3. DGSOM students who do not receive passing scores on the Step 2 CK and CS by the deadline for NRMP rank list verification may still graduate if they take and pass these exams by the last day of the 4^th year curriculum.
4. USMLE Step 2CK and Step 2CS Failure:

a. One Failure: 

First time failure of the Step 2CK or Step 2CS exam will result in the Experiencing Academic/Professional Difficulty designation.

b. Two (2) Failures:

Failing the Step 2CK or Step 2CS exam twice will result in the designation of Academic/Professional Probation. 

c. Three (3) Failures:

Failing the Step 2CK or Step 2CS exam three times will result in dismissal from medical school.

Updated February 2018