Students must pass COMLEX-USA Level 1, COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE examinations and a clinical skills assessment to be eligible to graduate.

COMLEX-USA Pass Rate and Average Score 

Historical first-time pass rates and average scores by AZCOM students and graduates for COMLEX-USA Levels 1, 2 CE, and 3 can be found on the AZCOM Fast Facts webpage at https://www.midwestern.edu/academics/degrees-and-programs/doctor-of-osteopathic-medicine-az.xml

COMLEX-USA Eligibility

The Dean of AZCOM must certify a student is in good academic and professional standing for a student to register for and take COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2CE. Students must successfully complete all second-year course requirements, and meet other requirements as established by the Office of the Dean, prior to authorization to take COMLEX-USA Level 1. For those students authorized to take COMLEX-USA Level 1, the initial attempt to pass the examination must occur prior to the start of rotation unless otherwise authorized by the Office of the Dean. Students begin clinical rotations while awaiting results of the first examination attempt.  

Students must pass the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination and meet requirements as established by the Office of the Dean prior to taking COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE. For Level 2 CE, the initial attempt at the examination must be taken within 90 days of the start of fourth year rotations.

Per National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) requirements, the AZCOM Dean may not certify graduates to register for and take the COMLEX-USA Level 3, except under limited circumstances. 

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is not a substitute for any component of the COMLEX-USA examination, and does not fulfill a graduation requirement. 

COMLEX-USA Level 1

Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination on the first attempt will be permitted to complete the clinical rotation in which the student is participating at the time of the failure notification. The student will be required to complete a program of study as directed by the Dean of AZCOM, or Dean's designee, and may be placed on a mandatory academic leave (not to exceed four months). The student will be placed on academic probation until the passing COMLEX-USA Level 1 score is received. 

Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination a second time will be allowed to complete the clinical rotation in which the student is participating at the time of failure notification. The student must meet with the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee to determine the most appropriate course of action for the third attempt. The student may be placed into a second directed study program and/or academic leave for a maximum of four months. The student may not participate in rotations until a passing score is received. Upon receipt of a passing score, the student may resume rotations on the next scheduled block.  

All retakes of COMLEX-USA Level 1 must be completed within one year of the date of the initial failure. At no time will the student be placed on mandatory or elective leave to prepare for COMLEX-USA Level 1 that will delay student progress to the extent that it would take more than six years from matriculation for completion of the D.O. program. 

A student who fails COMLEX-USA Level 1 a third time will be recommended for dismissal.

COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE 

Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE examination (with no prior failures of any COMLEX-USA component) will be required to complete a program of study as directed by the Dean of AZCOM, or the Dean's designee, and may be placed on mandatory academic leave (not to exceed four months) as outlined in the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee guidelines. If on an academic leave of absence, the student may resume rotations on the next scheduled block after having taken the examination for the second time and are awaiting the results. 

Any student who fails COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE a second time (with no prior failures of any other COMLEX-USA component) will be referred to the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee to determine a course of action, which may include a mandatory academic leave of absence not to exceed four months in length. The student will be placed on academic probation until the examination is passed. The student may not return to rotations until a passing score is received. All retakes of COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE, must be completed within one year of the date of the initial failure. 

Any student who accumulates two COMLEX-USA failures (in any combination of levels/examinations) will be referred to the Student Promotion and Graduation Committee to determine a course of action. The committee will review the student's academic record and use this information to decide whether the student may return to clinical rotations while awaiting the results of the COMLEX-USA retake, or if the student may not return to rotations until a passing score is achieved. 

A student who accumulates three COMLEX-USA failures of the same level, or any combination of COMLEX-USA Levels 1 or 2 CE examinations, will be recommended for dismissal.