United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Requirements

  1. United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Requirements Effective October 2020

    Introduction
    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 United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) during medical school. 
    • (1a) All DGSOM students must successfully pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams in order to graduate and receive their diploma. 
    • (1b) All students must take the USMLE Step 1 exam prior to being able to start MS4 electives. 
    • (1c) Students must receive passing scores on the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 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. 
    • (1d) DGSOM students who do not receive passing scores on the USMLE Step 1, and Step 2 exams by the deadline for NRMP rank list verification may still graduate if they take and receive passing scores on these exams by the last day of their terminal semester.   
    • (1e) Students may not take time off during their Pre-clerkship year to prepare for their first attempt of a USMLE examination. 
    • (1f) Students may not take time off during clerkships or drop a core clerkship to prepare for or take their first attempt of a USMLE Step 1 examination or USMLE Step 2 examination. 
    • (1g) Students receiving financial aid are responsible for meeting with the Financial Aid Office to understand the financial ramifications of interrupting their enrollment related to performance on USMLE Exams. 
    • (1h) USMLE Step 1 Failure: 
      1. (1h.1) One Failure 
        First-time failure of the Step 1 exam will result in the Experiencing Academic/Professional Difficulty designation. If a student has started MS4 clinical electives, the student may complete the current elective, but cannot begin any further electives until the Step 1 exam is retaken and passed. Upon confirmation of passing the Step 1 exam, the student may resume the Year 4 curriculum.  
      2. (1h.2) Two 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. 
      3. (1h.3) Three Failures 
        Failing the Step 1 exam three times will result in referral to CASPP for consideration of dismissal from medical school. 
    • (1i) USMLE Step 2 Failure: 
      1. (1i.1) One Failure 
        First-time failure of the Step 2 exam will result in the Experiencing Academic/Professional Difficulty designation.   
      2. (1i.2) Two Failures 
        Failing the Step 2 exam twice will result in the designation of Academic/Professional Probation.   
      3. (1i.3) Three Failures 
        Failing the Step 2 exam three times will result in referral to CASPP for consideration of dismissal from medical school. 

Policy Effective October 2020

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