COMLEX Policies for the School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona DO Program
Passing Level 1 and Level 2 of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) from the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) is a graduation requirement. Historical requirements for the COMLEX Level 2PE are listed below. As this requirement has been lifted by COCA for the Class of 2021, these are not applicable for AY 2020-2021. These examinations are:
- COMLEX Level 1 (COMLEX 1)
- COMLEX Level 2CE (COMLEX 2CE)
- COMLEX Level 2PE (COMLEX 2PE)
Students are required to take COMLEX during specific time-frames listed in the sections below. Students must be actively participating in curricular activities (e.g. not on a leave of absence) to sit for COMLEX. If a student is eligible to take COMLEX, and does not take it according to the scheduling requirements listed in this section (unless prior permission to deviate from the required schedule is granted by the Assistant or Associate Dean), it is a professionalism violation and the student will be removed from clinical rotations until a passing score on COMLEX is received. The student will be referred to the Student Performance Committee at the discretion of the Assistant or Associate Dean.
COMLEX Level 1
Students must take COMLEX 1 prior to the start of the OMS III rotations cycle for the class as published in the ATSU-SOMA Schedule. Exceptions must be approved in advance by ATSU-SOMA’s Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration. The examination may be taken at any NBOME-approved testing center.
A student is eligible to take COMLEX 1 if they have:
- Passed all OMS I and OMS II courses
- Achieved a minimum passing score as described in the Integrative II syllabus on a secured version of the Phase 1 timed Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Exam (COMSAE) provided by ATSU-SOMA. A minimum passing score on an unsecured COMSAE version (i.e., a version available for purchase by the student) does not meet the COMSAE requirement. See Integrative I and Integrative II course syllabi for details.*
- If a student has not achieved at least the minimum COMSAE passing score as described in the Integrative II syllabus within five business day of their examination date, they must meet with the Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration or their designee to assist the student in creating an individualized preparation plan with benchmarks the student will be required to reach before being authorized to take COMLEX Level 1. It may be necessary to postpone the start of clinical rotations.
- Under certain circumstances, such as in cases of overall poor academic performance, the Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration may require the student to delay taking the COMLEX until readiness to take the exam is determined.
*The Phase 1 COMSAE exams are administered to OMS II students during the Integrative II course.
COMLEX Level 1 First Failure
Failure of COMLEX Level 1 may significantly impact a student’s clinical rotation schedule and progression through the curriculum.
A student who fails the first attempt of COMLEX Level 1 is required to immediately inform the Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration, the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services, their RDME(s), and their clinical education coordinator (CEC). Based on the student’s numeric COMLEX score and past academic record, they will be required to appear before the Student Performance Committee. The student will be placed on academic warning and is subject to other disciplinary actions.
The Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration and/or faculty designee will work with the student to create an individualized remediation plan which may include time off clinical rotations, Directed Studies, a formal board preparation course, and documentation of an additional secured and proctored COMSAE score greater than the minimum passing score.
The student must re-take COMLEX Level 1 within eight weeks of notification of failure unless otherwise prescribed by the Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration.
COMLEX Level 1 Second Failure
A student who fails the second attempt of COMLEX Level 1 is required to immediately inform the Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration, the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services, their RDME(s), and their CEC.
The student will be removed from clinical rotations at the conclusion of their current rotation, and placed on Directed Studies until a passing score is received. The student may be placed on academic probation and/or subject to other disciplinary actions.
The student is required to meet with the Student Performance Committee. The student may be placed on academic probation and/or subject to other disciplinary actions. At the meeting, the student is to present evidence (such as a formal study plan) to support why they should be allowed a third attempt of COMLEX Level 1. If permission for a third (final) attempt is granted, the student will remain on Directed Studies pending a passing score.
The Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration and/or faculty designee will work with the student to create an individualized remediation plan (as listed above). A formal board preparation course may be required.
The student is required to make the third (final) attempt of the COMLEX Level 1 within 16 weeks of notification of the failure unless otherwise prescribed by the Assistant or Associate Dean of Curricular Integration.
COMLEX Level 1 Third Failure
A student who fails COMLEX Level 1 three times will meet with the Student Performance Committee and is subject to dismissal from ATSU-SOMA.
COMLEX Level 2CE
Students who are on-track with their OMS IV class are required to take COMLEX Level 2CE by September 1 of the OMS IV year. Exceptions to this deadline must be authorized in advance by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services. The examination may be taken at any NBOME-approved testing center.
A student is eligible to take COMLEX Level 2CE if they have:
- Successfully completed all OMS III Core curricular requirements including the Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) course. The requirements for each course are listed in the course syllabus and may include, but are not limited to completion of all patient logs, cases, quizzes, and passage of all post-rotation OMS III NBOME COMAT examinations, including the OPP NBOME COMAT examination.
- Submitted evidence at least five business days prior to taking the COMLEX Level 2CE of a minimum score (as communicated to the students at the end of their OMS III year) on a secured version of the Phase 2 timed Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Exam (COMSAE) provided by ATSU-SOMA. A minimum passing score on an unsecured COMSAE version (i.e., a version available for purchase by the student) does not meet the COMSAE requirement.
- If a student has not achieved at least the minimum Phase 2 timed COMSAE score within five business days of their examination date, the student must meet with the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services or their designee to assist the student in creating an individualized preparation plan with benchmarks the student will be required to reach before being authorized to take COMLEX 2CE. During this time, the student may be taken off clinical rotations and placed on Directed Studies to prepare for the examination.
If a student is off-track with their OMS IV class for any reason, the student is required to take the COMLEX 2CE within 60 days following successful completion of all OMS III curricular requirements (see above section for OMS III curricular and COMSAE requirements). Exceptions to this deadline must be authorized in advance by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services.
Students are given a 24-hour excused absence from rotations to take COMLEX Level 2CE if a request is submitted to the Clinical Education Department at least 10 business days in advance of the examination.
COMLEX Level 2CE First Failure
Failure of COMLEX Level 2CE may significantly impact a student’s clinical rotation schedule, progression through the curriculum, ability to match into residency, graduation, and eligibility to start residency. A student who fails the first attempt of COMLEX Level 2CE is required to immediately inform the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services and their RDME(s) and CEC.
The Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services and/or faculty designee will work with the student to create an individualized remediation plan which may include time off clinical rotations, Directed Studies, a formal board preparation course, and an additional minimum passing score on a timed secure COMSAE exam. The Student Performance Committee will be notified of the failure, and the student will be placed on academic warning and is subject to other disciplinary actions. Based on the student’s numeric COMLEX Level 2CE score and past academic record, they will be required to appear before the Student Performance Committee.
The student must re-take COMLEX Level 2CE within eight weeks of notification of failure unless otherwise prescribed by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services.
COMLEX Level 2CE Second Failure
A student who fails the second attempt of COMLEX Level 2CE is required to immediately inform the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services and their RDME(s) and CEC. The student will be removed from clinical rotations at the conclusion of their current rotation, and placed on Directed Studies until a passing score is received.
The student is required to meet with the Student Performance Committee. The student may be placed on academic probation and/or subject to other disciplinary actions. At the meeting, the student is to present evidence (such as a formal study plan) to support why they should be allowed a third attempt of COMLEX Level 2CE. If permission for a third (final) attempt is granted, the student will remain on Directed Studies pending a passing score.
The Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services and/or faculty designee will work with the student to create an individualized remediation plan (as listed above). A formal board preparation course may be required.
The student is required to make the third (final) attempt of the COMLEX Level 2CE within 16 weeks of notification of the failure unless otherwise prescribed by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services.
COMLEX Level 2CE Third Failure
A student who fails COMLEX Level 2CE three times will meet with the Student Performance Committee and is subject to dismissal from ATSU-SOMA.
COMLEX Level 2PE
Students who are on-track with their OMS IV class are required to take COMLEX Level 2PE between February 1st of the OMS III year and August 1st of the OMS IV year. Exceptions to this timeframe must be authorized in advance by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services. Prior to signing up for a test date, each student is required to discuss their planned COMLEX Level 2PE date with their RDME(s) to determine their individual optimal time between February 1st of the OMS III year and August 1st of the OMS IV year to take the examination.
The examination must be taken at an NBOME-approved PE testing center.
If a student is off-track with their OMS IV class for any reason, they are required to take the COMLEX Level 2PE within 120 days following successful completion of all OMS III curricular requirements. Exceptions to this deadline must be authorized in advance by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services.
Students are given a 72-hour excused absence from rotations to take COMLEX Level 2PE if a request is submitted to the Clinical Education Department at least 10 business days in advance of the examination. Students who do not need to travel out-of-state for the exam will be given a 24-hour excused absence, rather than a 72-hour excused absence.
Students must complete an in-person COMLEX Level 2PE workshop provided by ATSU-SOMA prior to taking the COMLEX Level 2PE exam.
COMLEX Level 2PE First Failure
Failure of COMLEX Level 2PE may significantly impact a student’s clinical rotation schedule, progression through the curriculum, ability to match into residency, graduation, and eligibility to start residency.
A student who fails the first attempt of COMLEX Level 2PE is required to immediately inform the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services and their RDME(s) and CEC.
The Associate Dean and/or faculty designee will work with the student to create an individualized remediation plan which may include time off clinical rotations, assigned clinical rotations, and/or Directed Studies. The student will be required to participate in a formal, individualized remediation plan including practice sessions under the direction of the Standardized Patient Program.
The Student Performance Committee will be notified of the failure. The student will be placed on academic warning and is subject to other disciplinary actions. Based on the student’s past academic record, they will be required to appear before the Student Performance Committee.
The student must re-take COMLEX Level 2PE within eight weeks of notification of failure unless otherwise prescribed by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services.
COMLEX Level 2PE Second Failure
A student who fails the second attempt of COMLEX Level 2PE is required to immediately inform the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services and their RDME(s) and CEC.
The student will be removed from clinical rotations at the conclusion of their current rotation, and placed on Directed Studies until a passing score is received.
The student is required to meet with the Student Performance Committee. The student may be placed on academic probation and/or subject to other disciplinary actions. At the meeting, the student is to present evidence (such as a formal study plan) to support why they should be allowed a third attempt of COMLEX Level 2PE.
The Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services and/or faculty designee will work with the student to create an individualized remediation plan (as listed above). A formal board preparation course may be required.
The student is required to make the third (final) attempt of the COMLEX Level 2PE within 16 weeks of notification of the failure unless otherwise prescribed by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education and Services.
COMLEX Level 2PE Third Attempt Failure
A student who fails COMLEX Level 2PE three times will meet with the Student Performance Committee and is subject to dismissal from ATSU-SOMA.
COMLEX Level 3
Following graduation, the ATSU Enrollment Services approves each graduate to take COMLEX Level 3 through the NBOME website. Generally, graduates take this examination at the completion of the first year of post-graduate training. However, requirements for taking this examination vary from state to state. Graduates should contact the osteopathic medical licensing board in the state where they will have post-graduate training for further information.
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