General Information
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. These examinations are:
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COMLEX Level 1 (COMLEX 1);
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COMLEX Level 2 CE (COMLEX 2CE).
COMLEX Testing Accommodations
If a student requires ADA accommodations, they must contact the NBOME directly. Accommodations provided by the University do not guarantee that accommodations will be provided by the NBOME.
COMLEX Level 1
Students at RVUCOM will be eligible to take COMLEX Level 1 after they have:
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Successfully completed all of the requirements of the OMS I and OMS II academic years;
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Received certification from the Dean
COMLEX Level 1 Failure: Students who fail COMLEX Level 1 on the first attempt will be referred to academic support services with notification of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Dean of COM. Upon a second failure of COMLEX Level 1, students will be required to appear before the Student Performance Committee (SPC) to discuss his/her performance and explain their current academic status. The student will be placed on Academic Probation and will not be permitted to participate in clinical clerkships until the COMLEX Level 1 exam has been retaken and a passing score is achieved.
Failure of a single COMLEX examination may lead to dismissal based on the totality of a student’s academic record. For more information on SPC, please review the "Student Performance Committee" section of the Handbook.
Students who do not pass COMLEX Level 1 after three attempts will be subject to dismissal from RVUCOM without the option to appeal.
COMLEX Level 2
A student will be eligible to take the COMLEX Level 2 CE examinations once he/she has:
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Successfully completed OMS III clerkships;
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Achieved a passing score on the COMLEX Level 1 exam;
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Taken the USMLE Step 1 exam; and,
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Received certification from the Dean.
Students may not miss scheduled clerkships or alter the established clinical training schedule in order to study during their OMS III or OMS IV years outside of any time designated for board review by the COM administration, policy, or procedures, unless authorized by the Associate Dean of Clinical Education or designee.
COMLEX Level 2 CE Failure: Students who fail the COMLEX Level 2 CE examination on the first attempt will be referred to academic support services with notification of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and the Dean of COM. Upon a second failure of COMLEX Level 2, students will be required to appear before the Student Performance Committee (SPC) to discuss his/her performance and explain their current academic status. The student will be placed on Academic Probation and will not be permitted to participate in clinical clerkships until the COMLEX Level 2 exam has been retaken and a passing score is achieved.
Failure of a single COMLEX examination may lead to dismissal based on the totality of a student’s academic record. For more information on SPC, please review the "Student Performance Committee" section of the Handbook.
Students who do not pass COMLEX Level 2 after 3 attempts will be subject to dismissal from RVUCOM without the option to appeal.
COMLEX Level 3
Following graduation, the Office of the Registrar 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 (residency). 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.