Correlation of National Board of Medical Examiners Scores with United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and Step 2 Scores

ABSTRACT To ensure the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States of America (COMLEX-USA) remains relevant and current in meeting the needs of the state licensing boards and other constituents, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) has developed a new blueprint for an enhanced, competency-based examination program to be implemented with the COMLEX-USA Level 3 examination in late 2018. This article summarizes the evidence-based design processes on which the new blueprint is built, how it differs from the previous blueprint, and the evidence supporting its validity for the primary and intended purpose of COMLEX-USA — osteopathic physician licensure. It concludes with the changes being implemented by the NBOME to ensure COMLEX-USA remains current and meets the needs of its stakeholders, the state licensing boards.

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The United States Medical Licensing Examination: Part One

Journal of Medical Regulation ◽

10.30770/2572-1852-91.1.21 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 91 (1) ◽

pp. 21-25

Author(s):

David Johnson

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

The United States ◽

Test Accommodations ◽

Patient Centered ◽

National Board ◽

Content Quality ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Licensing Examination ◽

State Medical Boards ◽

And Function

ABSTRACT The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), co-sponsored and co-owned by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), was implemented in 1992–94 as the successor of the NBME certifying examinations (Parts I, II and III) and the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX). It is a three-step examination for medical licensure in the United States. The USMLE assesses a physician’s ability to apply knowledge, concepts and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills important in health and disease and constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Results of the USMLE are reported to medical licensing authorities in the United States for their use in granting the initial license to practice medicine. This article is the first in a series focusing on the USMLE program. The following article provides a broad overview of the USMLE program along with a brief description of the USMLE content, characteristics of test administration, and information on the scoring of the exam. Subsequent articles will focus on development of examination content, quality assurance mechanisms, standard setting and such administrative issues as test accommodations and irregular behavior. The intent of this series is to provide the reader with short, topical articles that collectively provide a better understanding of the nature, role and function of the USMLE in assisting medical licensing authorities in the United States.

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Characteristics and Outcomes of Individuals Engaging in USMLE Irregular Behavior, 2006–2015

Journal of Medical Regulation ◽

10.30770/2572-1852-106.4.8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 106 (4) ◽

pp. 8-16

Author(s):

Frances E. Cain ◽

Katie Arnhart ◽

Aaron Young ◽

David Johnson

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

The United States ◽

Outcome Data ◽

National Board ◽

Medical Licensing ◽

Licensing Examination ◽

Using Data ◽

Medical License ◽

Score Reports ◽

Irregular Behavior

ABSTRACT Medical licensing authorities and other entities utilize and rely on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) as a standardized, valid and reliable tool to assess physicians’ knowledge and skills. As such, engaging in irregular behavior during the USMLE process can have a broad and damaging impact on an individual’s ability to complete the USMLE sequence and subsequently obtain a medical license in the United States. While there are also repercussions for the USMLE program and entities overseeing medical students and physicians, the risk to the public of being cared for by someone who did not pass a medical licensing examination by his or her own merit is of great concern. This study reviews data about individuals who engaged in irregular behavior, common sanctions taken against them and their ability to ultimately practice medicine in the United States. Using data from the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), individuals with findings of irregular behavior as part of the USMLE application and/or testing process between 2006 to 2015 were identified, along with their corresponding demographic, examination, sanction and licensure outcome data. A total of 165 individuals were found to have engaged in 170 incidents of irregular behavior. The majority of individuals were male (63%, n = 101), international medical graduates (69%, n = 112) and had a mean age of 33 years old (SD = 8 years, n = 161) at the first incident or finding of irregular behavior. The two most common types of irregular behavior were falsified information (31%, n = 53) and security violations (27%, n = 46). Most incidents (86%, n = 146) were reported to the FSMB Physician Data Center (PDC) and 68% (n = 116) involved a bar from taking the USMLE for a period of time. Only 26% (n = 43) of individuals ultimately passed the entire USMLE sequence and 16% (n = 27) obtained a full, unrestricted medical license in the U.S. by 2019. To help maintain the integrity of a key component for initial licensure in the United States, there is a continued need for rigorous enforcement and safeguarding of USMLE examination applications, content, testing conditions and score reports. Individuals who plan on taking the USMLE should become familiar with USMLE rules and penalties regarding irregular behavior, including the serious implications of such behavior that can severely diminish their ability to practice medicine in the United States. Entities using USMLE information for licensure or admission into medical-related programs need to diligently ensure authentication of USMLE documents and carefully consider if individuals who have engaged in irregular behavior are qualified to practice medicine.

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