Osteopathic Medicine Question: COMLEX/USMLE

[sweetness34]

I would like to ask a question in regards to osteopathic medicine. With osteopathic medicine, is it required to take all three parts of the COMLEX exam or can we take the COMLEX Part 1 and take the three steps to the USMLE?

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[DrMediterranean]

I would like to ask a question in regards to osteopathic medicine. With osteopathic medicine, is it required to take all three parts of the COMLEX exam or can we take the COMLEX Part 1 and take the three steps to the USMLE?

For either route, COMLEX or USMLE, you need to take at least part/step 1,2. Part/Step 1,2 for COMLEX/USMLE are required to get your DO/MD degree. Part/Step 3 for COMLEX/USMLE are not required, they give you board certification. Most doctors are board certified in their field, and most hospitals would probably require board certification.

 

[DrMediterranean]

So basically DO students must sit for COMLEX part 1 & part 2. They have the option of taking USMLE step 1 & 2. I have seen DO students take USMLE step 2 and not take step 1. I'm not sure if this really makes a huge difference to program directors for residency programs, some people say it does, and some people say it doesn't.

 

[sweetness34]

So basically DO students must sit for COMLEX part 1 & part 2. They have the option of taking USMLE step 1 & 2. I have seen DO students take USMLE step 2 and not take step 1. I'm not sure if this really makes a huge difference to program directors for residency programs, some people say it does, and some people say it doesn't.

thanks for the info!

 

[thepoopologist]

COMLEX Step 1, Step 2 CE and Step 2 PE are required to graduate from a DO school.

Step 3 is taken intern year for the license.

Apparently you can be licensed through the USMLE tests depending on the state but you have to take all USMLE tests and all COMLEX apart from COMLEX 3.

 

[sweetness34]

COMLEX Step 1, Step 2 CE and Step 2 PE are required to graduate from a DO school.

Step 3 is taken intern year for the license.

Apparently you can be licensed through the USMLE tests depending on the state but you have to take all USMLE tests and all COMLEX apart from COMLEX 3.

thanks for letting me know. it seems like alot of work but it all pays off in the end.

 

[pianoman511]

For either route, COMLEX or USMLE, you need to take at least part/step 1,2. Part/Step 1,2 for COMLEX/USMLE are required to get your DO/MD degree. Part/Step 3 for COMLEX/USMLE are not required, they give you board certification. Most doctors are board certified in their field, and most hospitals would probably require board certification.

This is incorrect. Part 3 is required for your license and if you are a DO you need to take all three COMLEX steps. USMLE is optional. COMLEX 1 and 2 are required to graduate medical school and most residencies require passing 3 prior to allowing you to start your second year of residency.

Board certification is done after residency and is a completely separate exam administered by the various specialty associations (i.e. ABIM, ABEM, etc).

 

[sweetness34]

This is incorrect. Part 3 is required for your license and if you are a DO you need to take all three COMLEX steps. USMLE is optional. COMLEX 1 and 2 are required to graduate medical school and most residencies require passing 3 prior to allowing you to start your second year of residency.

Board certification is done after residency and is a completely separate exam administered by the various specialty associations (i.e. ABIM, ABEM, etc).

Thanks for the information. How was the Comlex 1 and 2?

 

[group_theory]

Agreed with what is posted above.


For DO students, COMLEX 1, and both parts of COMLEX 2 are graduation requirement for all DO schools. Once you graduate, you only need to take COMLEX 3 (1 day exam) and you completed the COMLEX series and thus the testing requirement for licensure in all 50 states + PR + DC.

DO students take USMLE mainly for residency applications.

If you want to take USMLE for licensure, you will have to take all 3 USMLE Steps (Step 1, Step 2-CS, Step 2-CK, Step 3) in order to be eligible for licensure via USMLE (and there are 6-7 states that will NOT recognize your USMLE for licensure, they require COMLEX).

So taking USMLE for licensure purpose means more $$$, more time (since you have to take 3 out of 4 required COMLEX tests anyway to graduate), and not finishing COMLEX series will prevent you from practicing in certain states (ie California, Florida, Pennsylvania, etc)


As for board certification - that's the "specialty board" that people take at the end of residency (or fellowship). Please don't refer to USMLE or COMLEX as "board certification".

 

[dbizzy]

Agreed with what is posted above.


For DO students, COMLEX 1, and both parts of COMLEX 2 are graduation requirement for all DO schools. Once you graduate, you only need to take COMLEX 3 (1 day exam) and you completed the COMLEX series and thus the testing requirement for licensure in all 50 states + PR + DC.

DO students take USMLE mainly for residency applications.

If you want to take USMLE for licensure, you will have to take all 3 USMLE Steps (Step 1, Step 2-CS, Step 2-CK, Step 3) in order to be eligible for licensure via USMLE (and there are 6-7 states that will NOT recognize your USMLE for licensure, they require COMLEX).

So taking USMLE for licensure purpose means more $$$, more time (since you have to take 3 out of 4 required COMLEX tests anyway to graduate), and not finishing COMLEX series will prevent you from practicing in certain states (ie California, Florida, Pennsylvania, etc)


As for board certification - that's the "specialty board" that people take at the end of residency (or fellowship). Please don't refer to USMLE or COMLEX as "board certification".

Sorry, I'm still new to all of this. So if someone were to want to take the USMLE for residency applications, would this mean they'd have to take it for licensure and take all parts, or only some parts?

 

[dbizzy]

Nevermind, just found another post of yours at: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=11507778#post11507778

All I needed to know. Thank you!

 

[mashmetoo]

Agreed with what is posted above.


For DO students, COMLEX 1, and both parts of COMLEX 2 are graduation requirement for all DO schools. Once you graduate, you only need to take COMLEX 3 (1 day exam) and you completed the COMLEX series and thus the testing requirement for licensure in all 50 states + PR + DC.

DO students take USMLE mainly for residency applications.

If you want to take USMLE for licensure, you will have to take all 3 USMLE Steps (Step 1, Step 2-CS, Step 2-CK, Step 3) in order to be eligible for licensure via USMLE (and there are 6-7 states that will NOT recognize your USMLE for licensure, they require COMLEX).

So taking USMLE for licensure purpose means more $$$, more time (since you have to take 3 out of 4 required COMLEX tests anyway to graduate), and not finishing COMLEX series will prevent you from practicing in certain states (ie California, Florida, Pennsylvania, etc)


As for board certification - that's the "specialty board" that people take at the end of residency (or fellowship). Please don't refer to USMLE or COMLEX as "board certification".

I'm confused, what do you mean you can't get licensed in these 6-7 states with the USMLE, only COMLEX? Are you referring to only DO students/doctors? (i.e., if you are a DO inthese 6-7 states, you can't be licensed with only the USMLE series, you have to finish COMLEX1,2,3?

What about the IMGs, or MDs?

 

[TSasser]

From my understating MD's are required to take all 3 USMLE steps and DO's are required to take all 3 COMLEX parts.

DO's take step 1 and sometimes step 2 USMLE to apply for certain residencies because those residencies do not use or interpret COMLEX scores, on USMLE scores.