Policies / Licensure Examination Policy

Date Established: 03/11/2010

Revision History: 11/18/10, 12/13/12, 2/13/14; 5/14/20, 8/13/20, 6/10/21, 9/9/21, 8/14/25

Policy Reviewers: GMEC Policy Subcommittee, UW Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC)

All residents and fellows participating in University of Washington graduate medical education (GME) training programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and Fellows Non-ACGME in non-ACGME accredited programs. Residents, Fellows, and Fellows Non-ACGME are hereafter referred to as “Residents.”

To meet educational and program eligibility requirements and national standards in preparation for licensure and certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and American Board of Dental Specialties (ABDS), residents must successfully pass specified steps of the applicable licensure examination. These must be completed according to the specified timeline by training year.

3. Policy

To meet educational and program eligibility requirements and national standards in preparation for licensure and certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and American Board of Dental Specialties (ABDS) residents must successfully pass one of the following examinations and according to the specified timeline:

1. United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
   1. USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK)
      • Completed within 6 months of commencement of training in a UW residency or fellowship program, regardless of training level.
   2. USMLE Step 3
      • Completed within 6 months of starting the PGY-3 year in a UW residency or fellowship program.
      • Completed prior to commencement of training if entering a UW program after the PGY-3 year.
      • Completed as a condition of program eligibility for candidates requiring an ACGME Eligibility Exception review
2. Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)
   1. COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2 Cognitive Evaluation (CE)
      • Completed within 6 months of commencement of training in a UW residency or fellowship program, regardless of training level.
   2. COMLEX Level 3
      • Completed within 6 months of starting the PGY-3 year in a UW residency or fellowship program.
3. Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)
   • MCCQE Part I of the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) is accepted for graduates of Canadian medical schools graduating prior to July 1, 2025.
   • Exam is accepted by the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) for state licensure.
4. Integrated National Board Dental Examination (INBDE)
   • Completion of the INBDE prior to commencement of training
5. Exceptions
   1. Individual training programs may further institute more restrictive deadlines for residents for completion of these examinations.
   2. Step 3 requirements may be waived in special circumstances individuals in one-year non-ACGME fellowship programs who have not completed prior ACGME training.

All appointments and promotions are subject to fulfillment of these requirements. Residents must meet these requirements to be considered in good academic standing in the program. Residents who do not meet these requirements (e.g., do not pass an exam by the required deadline) may be subject to academic remediation by the program under the Resident/Fellow Remediation Policy and Grievance Procedure.

4. Procedures

1. Residents are required to submit proof of passing examination scores into the Test Scores section of MedHub while completing the UW GME Onboarding Form during the initial appointment process. Residents must provide results of subsequent examinations directly to their training program for upload into MedHub or be issued a full unrestricted state license within the timeframe indicated under Examination Requirements above.
2. Residents are responsible for reviewing the examination timelines and registering for the appropriate exam to ensure their results will be available by the appropriate deadline.
3. Residents must be provided with reasonable accommodations by their program to sit for their required exam (as outlined in the Scheduling and Boarders Policy) and may use Professional Leave for these days. Residents may receive reimbursement for examination fees as outlined in the CIR Northwest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

5. Compliance

The GME Office will audit compliance and follow up with individual residents and programs as needed.