USMLE Step Exam Failures

Authorizing Body:

Student Performance Review Committee

Date Issued:

August 1, 2011

Last Update:

July 28, 2022

Rationale:

To ensure that all students pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 licensing exams prior to graduation.

Scope and Applicability:

All students enrolled in the School of Medicine

Standard Practice Guideline:

In order to be licensed to practice medicine in the United States, all physicians must pass the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK), and Step 3. Graduation from OUWB School of Medicine requires students to receive passing scores for Step 1, and Step 2 CK.

Procedures:

USMLE Step 1

First Attempt

• Students notified of a first time USMLE Step 1 failure after beginning an M3 year clerkship, will be allowed to complete the clerkship in progress.
• Students may, in consultation with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Clinical Education or the Associate or Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, elect to withdraw from the clerkship in which they are enrolled at the time of notification of the failure. A grade of “W” will appear on the student’s transcript. Students who withdraw from a clerkship due to a Step 1 failure will be required to repeat the entire clerkship.
• Students will not be allowed to begin another clerkship until they have retaken the USMLE Step 1 exam.
• The Associate or Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Clinical Education will coordinate necessary scheduling changes. Students must take the second attempt at the Step 1 exam by November 15th of the current academic year.

Second Attempt

• Students who fail to achieve a passing score on a second attempt on the USMLE Step 1 exam will be immediately withdrawn from their current clerkship and will not be permitted to participate in any additional clerkships until they obtain a passing score on the USMLE Step 1 exam. A grade of “W” will appear on the student’s transcript. Students who are withdrawn from a clerkship due to a USMLE Step 1 exam failure will be required to repeat the entire clerkship.

Third Attempt

• Students who fail to achieve a passing score a third attempt of the USMLE Step 1 exam will be referred to the SPRC for action.

USMLE Step II CK

First Attempt

• Students receiving notification that they did not achieve a passing score on the USMLE Step 2 exam will be allowed to complete the clerkship in program
• Students will not be allowed to begin another clinical experience until they have retaken the USMLE Step II exam.
• The Associate or Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Clinical Education will coordinate necessary scheduling changes.

Second Attempt

• Students failing to achieve a passing score on a second attempt on the USMLE Step 2 exam will be referred to the Student Performance Review Committee (SPRC) for action.

Third Attempt

• Students who do not achieve a passing score on a third attempt on the USMLE Step 2 exam will be referred to the Student Performance Review Committee (SPRC) for action.

Related Policies and Forms:

Satisfactory Academic Progress Guidelines
Student Performance Review Committee Guidelines