Which licensing exams do I have to take as a 2024 DO grad?

[tinyhandsbob]

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Hi all- I am hoping to get into a DO program for next cycle (would graduate 2024) and was wondering how the "merger" affects the licensing exams I will have to take.

Will I have to take both COMLEX + USMLE or can I just take the USMLE and skip the COMLEX? I am only interested in applying to allopathic residencies. Any other requirements that will be different in a DO program compared to MD after merger? (I'm already familiar with the OMM component).

Thanks!

 

[hellosnd]

From what I understand, USMLE is not required by any DO school but is pretty helpful/essential when you are applying for residency as it gives the program directors a common metric to compare you to MD students. COMLEX is required to obtain the DO degree. Don't see COMLEX going away anytime soon as it is a cash cow.

 

[Goro]

From what I understand, USMLE is not required by any DO school but is pretty helpful/essential when you are applying for residency as it gives the program directors a common metric to compare you to MD students. COMLEX is required to obtain the DO degree. Don't see COMLEX going away anytime soon as it is a cash cow.

This.
/thread

 

[Ho0v-man]

Rvu currently requires USMLE and I believe lecom will soon as well.

Passing comlex is required by state law to obtain a license to practice. So you absolutely have to take it as a DO even if someone waves a magic wand and makes the COMs not require it anymore.

 

[WyomingMedStudent]

As hellosnd and HO0v-man said, you need to take the COMLEX if you go to a DO program. The USMLE is "optional." I quote optional because it is my opinion that every DO student should also take the USMLE with the merger (as before, but especially after the merger). I don't see residency program directors taking the time to compare a DO student with only the COMLEX to an MD student with a USMLE.

Go DO? Plan to do both.

 

[tinyhandsbob]

Does anyone know what proportion of DO students currently take both versus just doing COMLEX? Or what match numbers are for those doing only COMLEX?

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Also, there is no such thing as allopathic vs osteopathic residencies anymore. All residencies are under one accrediting body (ACGME) starting next year.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Does anyone know what proportion of DO students currently take both versus just doing COMLEX? Or what match numbers are for those doing only COMLEX?

Roughly 60% take both

 

[tinyhandsbob]

Roughly 60% take both

For people who take both USMLE and COMLEX, does that mean all USMLE Step exams (1-3) or just the Step 1?

 

[tinyhandsbob]

If anyone on here knows- how much dedicated study time do most DO programs offer for students wanting to take both COMLEX AND USMLE? I assume since the materials are roughly the same you can study at the same time for both then take them one after the other? What is the time commitment involved for this compared to MD students just taking USMLE?

 

[hellosnd]

DO schools vary in terms of how many dedicated weeks they give you, the lowest I’ve heard is 2. My friends who have taken both took USMLE first then COMLEX shortly afterwards and just brushed up on OMM stuff during the gap.

 

[WoundupKnight]

For people who take both USMLE and COMLEX, does that mean all USMLE Step exams (1-3) or just the Step 1?

Step 1 and Step 2. You don't need CS or Step 3.

If anyone on here knows- how much dedicated study time do most DO programs offer for students wanting to take both COMLEX AND USMLE? I assume since the materials are roughly the same you can study at the same time for both then take them one after the other? What is the time commitment involved for this compared to MD students just taking USMLE?

It really varies between schools. Typically 2 weeks to a little over 2 months. But some schools toss in some mandatory items that cut into dedicated a bit.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

For people who take both USMLE and COMLEX, does that mean all USMLE Step exams (1-3) or just the Step 1?

Only Step 1 and Step 2 CK

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

how much dedicated study time do most DO programs offer for students wanting to take both COMLEX AND USMLE?

You don't get extra dedicated time if you want to take both, you get the same as everyone else in your class.

I assume since the materials are roughly the same you can study at the same time for both then take them one after the other?

Yep. I took COMLEX 4 days after my Step.

What is the time commitment involved for this compared to MD students just taking USMLE?

This isn't separated by DO or MD as every school is different. I had more dedicated than some of my friends at MD schools.

Although to be real, 6 weeks is plenty. I have no idea how people study for more than 6 weeks, as I was ready to gouge my eyes out by the end of it.

 

[tinyhandsbob]

You don't get extra dedicated time if you want to take both, you get the same as everyone else in your class.


Yep. I took COMLEX 4 days after my Step.


This isn't separated by DO or MD as every school is different. I had more dedicated than some of my friends at MD schools.

Although to be real, 6 weeks is plenty. I have no idea how people study for more than 6 weeks, as I was ready to gouge my eyes out by the end of it.

Is it advisable to use USMLE materials only to study for both exams (outside the OMM stuff which will be COMLEX specific) or do you find yourself needing to use both USMLE and COMLEX resources? What proportion of study time do most people spend on the OMM portion of the COMLEX ?

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Is it advisable to use USMLE materials only to study for both exams (outside the OMM stuff which will be COMLEX specific) or do you find yourself needing to use both USMLE and COMLEX resources? What proportion of study time do most people spend on the OMM portion of the COMLEX ?

Both exams cover the same subjects/knowledge, so yea, you can use USMLE materials to study for COMLEX besides OMM. The only difference will be the way the questions are being asked in each, so you will need to do practice questions that cover both styles of questions.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Is it advisable to use USMLE materials only to study for both exams (outside the OMM stuff which will be COMLEX specific) or do you find yourself needing to use both USMLE and COMLEX resources? What proportion of study time do most people spend on the OMM portion of the COMLEX ?

UFAPS is all you need for both (UFAPS + OMM for COMLEX).

The only difference will be the way the questions are being asked in each, so you will need to do practice questions that cover both styles of questions.

Eh. UWorld is king regardless of the test. The questions really aren't that different.