Policy:

The University of Alabama School of Medicine requires all students pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 written examinations in order to graduate with the M.D. degree. Any failed attempt of either USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 written examination will place a student on academic probation until they successfully pass the failed step. A medical student is allowed a maximum of three attempts on each Step, and failure to record a passing score after the third attempt will be grounds for academic dismissal from the School of Medicine. Effective for the graduating class of 2005 and all subsequent classes, the new USMLE Clinical Skills Examination (CSE) must be taken. Passing the CSE is not required.

• All medical students must attempt to pass the USMLE Step 1 before commencing their first clerkship of the third year of medical school.
• Failure to record a passing a score of the USMLE Step 1 within twelve months of completing the coursework for the medical school second year, will be grounds for academic dismissal. The M.D.- Ph.D. candidates will be exempt from this time limit. Students that are on an official leave of absence between the second and third year of medical school are eligible for exemption and must obtain prospective approval from the appropriate promotion committee.
• Any and all clerkship work that has been completed prior to recording a passing score of the USMLE Step 1 will be recorded as No Credit until a passing score is recorded.

• An attempt to pass the USMLE Step 2 written examination must be no less than three months before the anticipated diploma date. Failure to meet this deadline will subject the M.D. candidate to a possible delay in their diploma date.
• The USMLE Step 2 written examination must be passed within six months after the first diploma date at which the student would be eligible for graduation. Failure to record a passing score on the USMLE Step 2 by this deadline will be grounds for academic dismissal from the School of Medicine.

USMLE Clinical Skills Examination

• Effective of the graduating class of 2005 and all subsequent classes, all students must take, but not pass the USMLE CSE as a graduation requirement.
• The USMLE CSE must be taken within six months after the first diploma date at which the student would be eligible for graduation. Failure to take the USMLE CSE by this deadline will be grounds for academic dismissal from the School of Medicine.
  

1. All medical students must record their first attempt at passing the USMLE Step 1 prior to commencing any third year clerkship. In view of the administrative time requirements for registering and scheduling the USMLE examination, students should contact the USMLE several months in advance of their first anticipated clerkship to schedule their Step 1 examination date before the clerkship start date.
2. In the event that a student fails their first or second attempt at the USMLE Step 1 examination, the following will occur:

• The appropriate promotion committee will be notified of the failure and the student automatically placed on an academic status of academic probation.
• The student must meet with the Associate Dean of Students and receive explicit approval for any continued academic work in required clerkships or electives.

3. In the event the student has failed a third attempt at the USMLE Step1 examination, the appropriate promotion committee will convene to consider academic dismissal.
4. In the event that the time limit for passing the USMLE Step 1 examination has elapsed, the appropriate promotion committee will convene to consider academic dismissal.

1. It is strongly recommended that all medical students take their first attempt at the USMLE Step 2 examination at least five to six months before their anticipated diploma date.
2. In the event that a student fails their first or second attempt at the USMLE Step 2 examination, the following will occur:

• The appropriate promotion committee will be notified of the failure and the student automatically placed on an academic status of academic probation.
• The student must meet with the Associate Dean of Students and receive explicit approval for any continued academic work.

3. In the event the student has failed a third attempt at the USMLE Step 2 examination, the appropriate promotion committee will convene to consider academic dismissal.
4. In the event that the time limit for passing the USMLE Step 2 examination has elapsed, the appropriate promotion committee will convene to consider academic dismissal.

USMLE Clinical Skills Examination

1. It is strongly recommended that all students schedule the USMLE CSE at least 3 months prior to the anticipated graduation date.
2. In the event that the time limit for taking the USMLE CSE has elapsed, the appropriate promotion committee will convene to consider academic dismissal.
   

Approved on January 2, 2001 by William B. Deal, MD, Dean, School of Medicine and amended on August 6, 2003 by William B. Deal, MD, Dean School of Medicine