Recent Advocacy Wins

As of 2/28/23

• Yale-New Haven Hospital | Medical Center Program
  Website updated to show acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• Fredrick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama | Visiting Students Program
  Website updated to remove USMLE requirement.
• UMPC Medical Education | Pediatrics Program
  Website updated to show acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Internal Medicine Program
  Website updated to show acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• University of North Carolina Hospitals | Emergency Medicine Program
  Website updated to show acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• University of Maryland School of Medicine | Visiting Students Program
  Website updated to show acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• University Florida College of Medicine Sacred Heart – Pensacola | Pediatrics Program
  Website states, “Osteopathic candidates may substitute COMLEX scores in place of USMLE scores.”
• University of California San Diego School of Medicine | Visiting Students Electives
  Website updated to show acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University | Pathology Program
  FRIEDA updated to show COMLEX-USA acceptance.
• NYU Long Island School of Medicine | Office of Graduate Medical Education
  Website and FRIEDA updated to show acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center | Pediatrics Program
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA acceptance.
• Massachusettes General Hopsital | Pathology Program
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA acceptance.
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital | General Surgery Program
  Website lists USMLE or COMLEX-USA as a requirement.

As of 9/29/22

• University of Texas Southwestern | Visiting Student Learning Opportunities
  Website was updated to show COMLEX-USA acceptance.
• Internal Medicine Structured Evaluation Letter Guidelines
  Guidelines were updated to include COMAT and reference COMAT scores appropriately, following collaboration with the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine.
• Doximity | Residency Navigator Tool
  Expanded to include data on COMLEX-USA scores and data for DO applicants in the NRMP’s Charting Outcomes for Osteopathic Seniors.
• University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center | Emergency Medicine Program
  The NBOME continues outreach to this program, which is currently revisiting their policies requiring USMLE for all applicants.
• Memorial Hermann Foundation | Family Medicine Program
  The NBOME continues outreach to this program, which is currently revisiting their policies requiring USMLE for all applicants.

As of 8/31/22

• Presence Health
  Website was updated to show that COMLEX-USA is accepted for DOs.
• HCA Healthcare
  Policy updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Cleveland Clinic – Akron General | General Surgery Program
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Beaumont Hospital
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• University of Utah School of Medicine
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• TTUHSC Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine
  FREIDA profile updated to show COMLEX-USA required for DOs.
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Amita Health
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• New York Medical College Westchester Medical Center
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Mayo Clinic Phoenix
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• West Virginia University School of Medicine
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Northeast Georgia Medical Center
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Creighton University School of Medicine
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• University of Arizona College of Medicine
  Program confirmed acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• Memorial Healthcare System
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• University of Arizona College of Medicine
  Program confirmed acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• Cleveland Clinic
  Program confirmed acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
  Program confirmed acceptance of COMLEX-USA.
• Louisiana State University School of Medicine – Shreveport
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  Website updated to show COM students and COMLEX-USA are accepted.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine
  Website updated to show COM students are accepted.
• University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
  Program confirmed acceptance of COM students and COMLEX-USA.
• Hospital for Specialty Surgery
  Website updated to show COM students are accepted.
• Oregon Health and Science University
  Website updated to show COMLEX-USA accepted for DOs.

Highlighted Advocacy Wins

CU Anschutz

After hearing concerns about the program’s clinical rotation requirements for USMLE Step 1, the NBOME and AACOM reached out to CU Anschutz personnel who explained they would be happy to accept COMLEX-USA scores for visiting osteopathic students and updated their guidelines accordingly. Read More.

OHSU | Adult Psychiatry Program

After learning that the website for the OHSU Department of Psychiatry’s Adult Psychiatry residency program seemed to indicate a preference for USMLE scores over COMLEX scores, we spoke with the program director. The program’s website was then updated to make it clearer that the program does accept COMLEX-USA scores as part of its application process. Read More.

In this section

• Membership
• Timeline
• Special Commission
• Updates

NBOME to Modify Attempt Limits for COMLEX-USA Effective July 1, 2022

The NBOME Board of Directors approved changes to eligibility for COMLEX-USA to limit the maximum number of attempts to 4 total per exam, effective July 1, 2022. This change is intended to minimize misclassification, enhance test security/integrity, and reinforce NBOME’s mission to protect the public. Exceptions petitioned by a state medical or osteopathic medical licensing board will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Further information will be outlined in the COMLEX-USA Bulletin of Information, planned for release in July 2020.

Boulet JR, Gimpel JR, Sandella JM, Turner MD. Comments on “Reported completion of the USMLE Step 1 and match outcomes among senior osteopathic students in 2020”. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2022. doi:10.1515/jom-2022-0080

Sandella JM, Boulet JR, Barnum S, Tsai T-H, Wang Y. To the Editor: Response to: Limitations and Alternative Approaches to a USMLE COMLEX-USA Concordance. Journal of Graduate Medical Education. 2022:14(3):355-356. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-22-00352.1

Sandella JM, Craig B, Tsai T-H, Fleury M, Clem A. Response to “COMSAE phase 1: value added”. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2021:121(8):719-721. doi:10.1515/jom-2021-0160

Gimpel JR. Single Accreditation Does Not Mean Double Jeopardy for Osteopathic Medical Students. Academic Medicine. 2021:96(8):1078. doi:10.1097/ACM.0000000000004134

Langenau EE, Sandella JM, Gimpel JR. Fairness to Students Top Priority. Family Medicine. 2012:44(1):53-54. PMID:22241343

Gimpel JR. Response to “Relationship Between COMLEX and USMLE Scores Among Osteopathic Medical Students Who Take Both Examinations”. Teaching and Learning in Medicine. 2010:22(4):323-325. doi:10.1080/10401334.2010.513198

Gimpel JR. Re: “COMLEX-1 and USMLE-1 Are Not Interchangeable Examinations”. Academic Emergency Medicine. 2010:17(10):1146-1147. doi:10.1111/j.1553-2712.2010.00898.x

Gimpel JR. New COMLEX-USA-to-USMLE Conversion Formula Needed. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2010:110(10):577-578. doi:10.7556/jaoa.2010.110.10.577

The NBOME provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act for candidates taking the COMLEX-USA examinations who provide the required documentation substantiating that they are a person with a disability.

Instructions to Request Test Accommodations

Request Accommodation

Request Accommodation: Pregnancy or Lactation

Request Accommodation: Diabetes

Submit a request by completing the application form and sending it with the required supporting documentation to NBOME Test Accommodations.

• By Email (preferred)
  testacc@nbome.org
• By Mail
  101 West Elm Street
  Suite 150
  Conshohocken, PA 19428

A completed application with full supporting documentation is generally evaluated and a decision rendered by the NBOME within approximately seventy-five (75) days of its receipt by the NBOME; however, additional processing time may be required if additional documentation is needed.

You may choose to schedule a standard (non-accommodated) examination while your accommodation application is pending. However, if your application is approved by the NBOME and testing accommodations are granted, and you have not yet taken the examination, you will have to cancel your scheduled examination date so the approved accommodation(s) can be attached to your testing profile. If you have taken the examination without accommodations before being notified of a decision, the NBOME will report your score as if you had not requested an accommodation.

Candidates are eligible to apply for test accommodations after completing one year of medical school. These candidates may apply even before their COM has made them eligible for COMLEX-USA Level 1 so they may remain on their COM’s schedule for testing with their class. Candidates not yet eligible for COMLEX-USA Level 1 that wish to apply for accommodations must submit documentation demonstrating completion of their first year such as an unofficial transcript, or signed and dated letter from a school official provided on school letterhead with their application materials.

For more details refer to the Bulletin of Information.

Scheduling

Updated December 9, 2022

You will receive specific instructions from NBOME Test Accommodations on how to schedule your examination date(s) with accommodations.

COMLEX-USA Level 1

Candidates scheduling COMLEX-USA Level 1 examinations prior to May 1, 2023 with Prometric should register for the examination, but should NOT schedule a test date while their accommodations request is being processed. Candidates will be required to cancel any examination dates that were scheduled prior to being granted test accommodations.

Candidates scheduling COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination dates after May 1, 2023 with Pearson VUE should NOT register for the examination or schedule any test dates while their accommodations request is being processed. Candidates will be required to cancel test dates and/or cancel their examination registration if they had done so prior to being granted test accommodations.

COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE

Candidates scheduling COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE examinations prior to June 1, 2023 with Prometric should register for the examination, but should NOT schedule a test date while their accommodations request is being processed. Candidates will be required to cancel any examination dates that were scheduled prior to being granted test accommodations.

Candidates scheduling COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE examination dates after June 1, 2023 with Pearson VUE should NOT register for the examination or schedule any test dates while their accommodations request is being processed. Candidates will be required to cancel test dates and/or cancel their examination registration if they had done so prior to being granted test accommodations.

COMLEX-USA Level 3

All COMLEX-USA Level 3 examinations will be delivered via Pearson VUE starting January 2023. Candidates should NOT register for the examination or schedule any test dates while their accommodations request is being processed. Candidates will be required to cancel test dates and/or cancel their examination registration if they had done so prior to being granted test accommodations.

COMVEX and several client exams will also be delivered by Pearson VUE

The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), an independent, not-for-profit organization that provides competency assessments for osteopathic medical licensure and related health care professions, has partnered with Pearson VUE, the global leader in computer-based certification and licensure testing, to provide delivery of the COMLEX-USA examination series.

Beginning January 2023, all COMLEX-USA Level 3 examinations will be administered at Pearson VUE test centers, followed by Level 1 in May 2023 and Level 2-CE June 2023 (date tentative), respectively. The transition date for Level 2-CE will be confirmed by December 31, 2022.

Registration and scheduling for each exam are anticipated to open roughly six months prior to administration dates.

Pearson VUE will deliver the COMLEX-USA examination series across its network of nearly 300 Pearson Professional Centers and other affiliated test centers across the U.S., offering test takers a professional, highly secure, and consistent testing experience. For more on testing with Pearson VUE, visit PearsonVUE: Resources for Test-Takers.

Testing fees, score release dates, and exam preparation materials for COMLEX-USA are not expected to be affected by this transition.

In addition, COMVEX and several NBOME client examination administrations will also take place at Pearson VUE facilities beginning in 2023.

“We are excited to partner with Pearson VUE to enable us to continue providing best-in-class test-taking experiences and valid and reliable assessments for our candidates and clients,” said John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd, president and CEO of the NBOME. “We will work to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for COMLEX-USA candidates, clients, and other stakeholders.”

The transition to Pearson VUE addresses an important objective of the current NBOME Strategic Plan: to provide innovative assessments on robust technology-enhanced platforms that meet industry demand for agile, practice-relevant point-of-care assessments.

‘’We are honored to now be delivering these important licensure exams for the NBOME,’’ commented Eric D’Astolfo, vice president, business development, Pearson VUE. ‘’The osteopathic profession demands the highest quality assessment services; we look forward to playing our part in advancing patient care through certifying the competencies of its medical students.’’

The NBOME recognizes that this transition will no doubt raise many questions for students preparing to take any Level of COMLEX-USA. Current information is available at our FAQs, and more specific information related to the logistics of the transition for candidates preparing for each Level is forthcoming.

FAQs

Why has the NBOME decided to partner with Pearson?

Pearson VUE delivers exams for nearly 100 healthcare programs including the MCAT, with which DO students are already familiar.

We believe that Pearson VUE will be a great partner to help us meet the needs of our examinees and the changing landscape of computer-based assessment, and allow us to continue to innovate the testing experience for COMLEX-USA and other NBOME candidates.

This transition continues the NBOME’s mission of protecting the health of the public through valid, reliable, and fair assessments.

The NBOME has established a new contract with Pearson VUE to deliver the COMLEX-USA computer-based examinations beginning with the Level 3 examination in 2023.

The NBOME will also partner with Pearson VUE to administer its COMVEX examinations, as well as the exams for a number of NBOME client organizations.

We have had a long and productive relationship with Prometric and will continue to work with them through the spring of 2023 to make the transition as seamless as possible for candidates.

Why doesn’t NBOME make this transition sooner? And why does Level 3 come first in the process?

The Level 3 examination is the first to convert to Pearson VUE delivery since its testing cycle is the first to begin in calendar 2023. It is important that this transition is smooth for COMLEX-USA candidates and other stakeholders. This transition requires coordination among many departments at the NBOME, as well as between the NBOME and Pearson VUE, and we are being deliberate with our planning to ensure optimal results for our test takers.

When will these changes take place?

The timeline for Pearson VUE to begin delivering the COMLEX-USA examination series is:

• Level 3—January 2023
• Level 1—May 2023
• Level 2-CE—June 2023 (tentative, to be confirmed by December 2022)

Pearson VUE will begin delivering COMVEX examinations in July 2023.

All test administration prior to these dates will occur at Prometric test centers.

When can I register for a Pearson VUE administration?

Our practice has been to allow candidates access to registration no earlier than six months prior to their intended testing date. We expect to maintain this approach in the future, although there may be the need to adjust the registration window at the start of the Pearson VUE transition.

Will there be a cost increase associated with this change?

We do not foresee any fee changes to COMLEX-USA examinations resulting specifically from the transition to Pearson VUE. As a matter of practice, any future examination fee changes for COMLEX-USA will be communicated through the COMLEX-USA Bulletin of Information and shared with COMs via the NBOME president’s Letter to Deans, typically one year in advance of any change.

Will this affect testing dates or score reporting?

The calendar for COMLEX-USA examination dates and score reporting will continue to be regularly posted on our website. They are not anticipated to change specifically due to the transition to Pearson VUE.

What happens if I have to reschedule or retake an exam after the transition deadline?

After the transition dates, exams will only be administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. If a candidate was scheduled to take an exam at a Prometric center before the transition and has to reschedule for a date after the transition, they must do so through Pearson VUE.

Will I still be able to take practice exams?

The content of the COMLEX-USA examination series will not change as a result of this transition. Therefore, practice examinations and resources such as COMSAE and WelCOM will still be helpful to you in test preparation. That said, we anticipate launching a practice exam that demonstrates the interface and functionality of examinations administered at Pearson VUE in mid-2022.

For further information about test-taking at Pearson VUE, visit home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Resources

What happens if the Pearson VUE testing site is farther from my COM than the current Prometric site?

Pearson VUE has a sizable national test center network with more than 280 locations nationwide. The current analysis shows more proximate Pearson VUE testing locations to colleges of osteopathic medicine than the current Prometric testing centers. As we plan for this 2023 transition, we will work with Pearson VUE to provide the most convenient testing options for students at all COMs.

We will continue to add to this list to provide more clarity as more details for each Level of COMLEX-USA and other NBOME examinations are available. In the meantime, please contact clientservices@nbome.org with any additional questions.