It is the expectation that all UCLA medical school graduates will be able to practice medicine in California and other states. The curriculum and experiences are designed to give each student knowledge, skills, attitudes and behavior to be successful in starting a residency and ultimately practicing as a physician. Therefore, the school requires that students take and pass all relevant components of USMLE during medical school.
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Must pass Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) and Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) to graduate.
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Students have three opportunities to pass each exam.
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Failure of Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 2 CS will require coursework remediation before a second or third attempt is made.
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Failure of Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 2 CS three times will result in dismissal from medical school.
USMLE Step 1
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Step 1 must be taken after completion of the second year; prior to one week before Clinical Foundations (start of third year). Students not taking Step 1 by the deadline will not be allowed to start the third year, or research and educational leaves.
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Step 1 must be passed in order to advance to fourth year.
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Failure of Step 1 will result in removal from the clinical curriculum. The Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs will meet with each student to plan the best course of action on a one-to-one basis. Remediation may include additional study time, participation in a formal USMLE course, working with the Learning Skills Specialist and formal evaluation for a learning disability / problem(s). A student may be permitted to continue clinical coursework when the Student Affairs Dean believe it will significantly improve the student’s ultimate success in passing Step 1.
USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK)
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Must have an exam date scheduled for Step 2 CK by November 1 in the calendar year in which the third year is completed.
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Must take Step 2 CK by December 31 in the calendar year in which the third year is completed.
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Credit will not be awarded for coursework completed after the December 31st deadline and before the completion of the exam.
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No retroactive credit will be granted.
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Students who have not taken Step 2 CK will not be verified to submit their final rank list (mid February) until they have sat for the examination. Rank order list entry begins January 15th.
USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS)
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Must have an exam date scheduled for Step 2 CS by November 1 in the calendar year in which the third year is completed.
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Must pass the CPX, given at the end of the third year, before taking Step 2 CS
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Students must take USMLE Step 2 CS by December 31 in the calendar year in which the third year is completed.
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Credit will not be awarded for coursework completed after the December 31st deadline and before the completion of the exam.
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No retroactive credit will be granted.
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Students who have not taken Step 2 CS will not be verified to submit their final rank list (mid February) until they have sat for the examination. Rank order list entry begins January 15th.
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Due to limited testing locations it is best to register in July for an exam date in order to meet the deadline and have a choice of location.
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Students will be most prepared for the USLME Step 2 CS exam immediately after their third year and the CPX. They are encouraged to take it sooner rather than later in the fourth year.
Strong Recommendations on CS
Approved FEC, January 2011
