DOs, USMLE, Board Certification

[sasevan]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all,

I'm a second year med student in an osteopathic school. I'll be taking COMLEX Step I this June and going on clinical rotations this July.

My questions are:

1. Should I take USMLE I and/or II to be competitive for allopathic residency or is the COMLEX sufficient for most allopathic psych programs?

2. Should I take USMLE if I want to be ABPN certified or is graduating from an ACGME psych residency sufficient?

Thanks to all in advance. 🙂

 

[PsychedUp]

I'm a DO in C/A fellowship at an allopathic program, where I also completed my general psychiatry residency. You might find some more information on this topic by searching the forum a bit, but I'll offer some thoughts.

1. Psychiatry is not as competitive as many of the specialties which require USMLE and do not accept COMLEX in its place. You'll find many DOs at prestigious institutions, though some top tier programs reportedly do not take DO applicants at all. You'd be best served to call specific programs to which you're considering applying and inquire about this.

For example, I was unable to do an 'audition rotation' as a medical student at my current institution due to an institution-wide policy that medical students from other institutions needed to have taken USMLE step one prior to the away rotation. Less than one year later, I matched at the same instution, having never taken the USMLE...go figure.

I'd venture to say that COMLEX is accepted in lieu of USMLE at many allopathic programs. Some would argue that you might not want to go to a program that does not accept COMLEX, as it may signal potential future discrimination. Personally, I can't speak to that theory.

2. As long as you have passed COMLEX levels 1-3, have obtained a medical license (required to progress in residency), and have successfully completed 4 years of an ACGME-accredited residency, you'll be board eligible in the eyes of the ABPN.

 

[sasevan]

Thanks PsychedUp and congrats on your accomplisments.

Post starting this thread, I've checked with a couple of DO residents at an allopathic psych residency program and they confirmed everything you said. I also went on the ABPN website and from what I gathered it was exactly as you said.
The only thing I didn't realize was whether I am going to be able to do elective rotations at allopathic programs without having taken the USMLE. I'll have to definitely check on that.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply and for such a thorough response. 👍