COMLEX-USA Exam Policy
Students must pass COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation examinations in order to graduate.

COMLEX-USA Pass Rate and Average Exam Scores

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

COMLEX-USA Eligibility

The CCOM Dean must certify a student is in good academic and professional standing for a student to register for and take COMLEX-USA Levels 1 and 2CE.

Students must successfully complete all OMS II course requirements prior to taking COMLEX-USA Level 1. The initial attempt to pass the COMLEX-USA Level I examination must occur within 90 days after the completion of all OMS II course requirements. Students unable to fulfill this requirement may be placed on Leave of Absence until they come into compliance. Students on Leave of Absence may not participate in clinical rotations which may result in a delayed graduation date.

Students may not proceed to the OMS IV year until they have passed COMLEX-USA Level 1 and completed OMS III course requirements.

Students must successfully complete all OMS III course requirements and pass COMLEX-USA Level 1 prior to taking COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE.

The initial attempt to pass the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE examination must occur within 90 days after completion of all OMS III course requirements. Students unable to fulfill this requirement may be placed on Leave of Absence until they come into compliance. Students on Leave of Absence may not participate in clinical rotations which may result in a delayed graduation date.

Students may not graduate until they have passed COMLEX-USA Level 1, COMLEX-USA Level 2CE and completed all MWU/CCOM degree requirements.

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.

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

Consequences of COMLEX Failure

Any student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 1 or COMLEX Level 2-CE examinations on the first attempt will be permitted to complete the clinical rotation in which the student is participating at the time of failure notification. The student will appear before the Promotions Committee for review. The usual course of action recommended by the Promotions Committee includes a program of study (CLIND 1710 Directed Study or CLIND 1810 Directed Study) to prepare for the second attempt of the exam as directed by the CCOM Dean's designee.

The student will be required to sit for the second attempt at the exam no later than 10 days after completing Directed Study. The student will return to clinical rotations after completing Directed Study.

Failure to comply with taking the exam no later than 10 days after completing Directed Study may result in the student being placed on Leave of Absence. Students on Leave of Absence may not participate in clinical rotations and may have a delayed graduation date.

The student will be placed on academic probation until the passing COMLEX-USA Level 1 score or passing COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE score is received.

If the student fails COMLEX-USA Level 1 or COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE on the second attempt, the student will be reviewed by the Promotions Committee. The usual course of action recommended by the Promotions Committee includes a program of study (CLIND 1710A Directed Study or CLIND 1810A Directed Study) to prepare for the third attempt of the exam as Directed by the CCOM Dean’s designee. The student will be placed on academic probation until the passing score for COMLEX-USA Level 1 or COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE is received.

The student will be required to sit for the third attempt at the exam no later than 10 days after completing Directed Study. The student will be placed on Leave of Absence until the score from the third attempt of the exam is received. Students on Leave of Absence cannot participate in clinical rotations and may have a delayed graduation date.    

If the student passes the exam on the third attempt, the student will resume clinical rotations in the next scheduled rotation block

If the student fails the exam on the third attempt, the student will be reviewed by the Promotions Committee. The usual course of action recommended by the Promotions Committee is dismissal from MWU/CCOM.