Would a DO need to take USMLE

[radoncmonkey]

If a DO were lucky enough to match into radonc with only their COMLEX scores, would they still need to take the USMLE at some point in order to become board certified?

I have a friend in a program who only took COMLEX and the program is fine with that..but will they have a problem when it becomes licensing time?

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[Gfunk6]

Since 95% of Rad Onc programs have no idea how to interpret a COMLEX score, it would be in your best interests to take the USMLE prior to applying. Besides the issue of accreditation, it is extremely rare for a DO applicant to match with only COMLEX scores at least in my experience.

 

[napoleondynamite]

I know someone who is in residency with only COMLEX as well, not sure what the licensing rules are down the road however..

 

[PublicEnemy]

licensure refers to the ability to obtain a license to practice in a given state. every state has provisions allowing DO's to obtain licensure by taking all the levels of the COMLEX and many states allow DO's to obtain licensure by taking all the steps of the USMLE. DO's can basically choose which pathway they want to pursue a license to practice in a given state. The 5 states FL, PA, OK, WV, MI require an AOA internship or equivalent training because these states have separate osteopathic boards which oversee licensure for all DO's and they require either an AOA internship or equivalent approved training under resolution 42 in order to obtain license to practice in that state.

most DO's choose to pursue licensure through the COMLEX route simply because every DO school requires you to take and pass COMLEX 1, 2 and PE before graduating, in essence even if you take USMLE Step 1 which many DO's do, you have to then pay a thousand dollars each for Step 2, CS and Step 3 for the USMLE in addition to all those COMLEX exams or you can get away with just taking COMLEX 3 and still get fully licensed.

for all the individual state rules regarding licensure:
http://www.fsmb.org/usmle_eliinitial.html

so a simple answer is, no. that person does not need to take usmle at all.

the issue of board certification is an entirely different issue. DO's who participate in ACGME residencies can often get dually board certified by the MD and DO boards as long as they go through the respectice processes for each.

 

[boniver]

Many DO's end up in allopathic residencies, and the majority never complete all three steps of the USMLE. There is no need for a DO to take the USMLE other than to be competitive with their allopathic compadres. Many allopathic programs are comfortable with comparing USMLE scores vs. COMLEX, there have been multiple studies that allow for adequate comparison of the two tests. Many DO's have been taking both tests for years, which allows for a rather strong degree of confidence when comparing the two. Rad Onc programs are not as adept at comparing the two due to the limited amount of DO applicants. Personally I think they should make the USMLE the standard for DO's and get rid of the COMLEX, they could easily test the osteopathic stuff separately.