COMLEX-USA Exam Policy

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

Students must pass COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-CE and Level 2-PE examinations to be eligible to graduate.

COMLEX-USA Eligibility

Students must successfully complete all OMS II course requirements, and meet requirements as established by the Dean's Office, prior to taking COMLEX-USA Level 1. For those students authorized to take Level 1, the initial attempt to pass the examination must occur within 30 days after the completion of OMS II course requirements. Students begin clinical rotations while awaiting results of their first examination attempt.

Students must successfully complete all OMS III course requirements, pass the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination, and meet requirements as established by the Dean's Office prior to taking COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE or Level 2-PE. For both the COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE and Level 2-PE, initial examinations, the initial attempt at each examination must be completed by the date approved by the Dean's Office.

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is not a substitute for any component of the COMLEX-USA examination.

COMLEX-USA Level 1 Failure

Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination will be allowed to complete the clinical rotation in which he/she is participating at the time of failure notice. The student will be assigned to a minimum one-month involuntary academic leave of absence to study for the next attempt. The student will return to a clinical rotation once he/she has taken the examination for the second time and is awaiting the results of the second examination attempt.

Any student who fails the Level I examination a second time will be allowed to complete the clinical rotation in which he/she is participating at the time of failure notice. The student must meet with the Clinical Promotions Committee as soon as possible to determine the most appropriate course of action for the third attempt. The student will be placed on involuntary academic leave of absence until a passing grade is received.  

A student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination a third time will be dismissed.

COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE or PE Failure

Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE examination must meet with the Clinical Promotions Committee and the Dean, or designee, as soon as possible to determine the most appropriate course of action, including involuntary academic leave of absence.   Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level II PE may be required to meet with the Clinical Promotions Committee, and the Dean or designee, as soon as possible to determine the most appropriate course of action. 

Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE examination three times regardless of their performance on the COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE examination will be dismissed, and any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE examination three times regardless of their performance on the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE examination will be dismissed.