USMLE Step 1 and 2 Examination Policy

Professionalism Reporting

Policy Statement:

All students are required to take and pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK to meet graduation requirements.

Policy Requirement:

 USMLE Step 1 exam requirements:

  1. Students are required to take the Step 1 exam during the designated Step 1 study and examination period. Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs based on the student’s personal circumstances and academic readiness as determined by the Learning Enhancement and Academic Development (LEAD) faculty. If a delay is granted, students must participate in the Transition to Clinical Practice (TCP) course and Step 1 may not be taken during times that the student is assigned to in person sessions during the TCP course.
  2. The LEAD faculty assess the academic readiness of each student and advise the student on when to sit for Step 1.
  3. Students are required to complete the Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE) and debrief as scheduled prior to the designated Step 1 study period.
  4. Students who score below 50 Equated Percent Correct (EPC) on the first administration of CBSE are required to participate in the 3-week Pathways to Achieve Step Success (PASS) Program and sit for a second CBSE.
  5. Students who score at or below a 62 Equated Percent Correct (EPC) on the second administration of the CBSE are required to continue participation in the PASS Program.
  6. Students who are granted a delay to take Step 1 until after the TCP course or who complete the PASS program but are not predicted to pass Step 1 prior to the start of the TCP course or during the TCP course as determined by LEAD faculty must disenroll from the first clerkship and use discretionary time (up to 6 weeks) after the TCP course to take Step 1. If more than 6 weeks are required beyond the end of the TCP course to achieve readiness to take Step 1, the student will be placed on an academic remediation LOA.
  7. Students who receive notice of failing the Step 1 exam while still in the designated Step 1 examination period may retake the exam prior to the start of TCP or may disenroll from first clerkship and use up to 6 weeks of discretionary time after the TCP course to retake Step 1. Students must participate in the TCP course and Step 1 may not be taken during times that the student is assigned to in person sessions during the TCP course. If more than 6 weeks are required beyond the end of the TCP course to take Step 1, the student will be placed on an academic remediation LOA.
  8. Students who receive notice of failing the Step 1 exam during the TCP course must complete the course and must disenroll from the first clerkship and use discretionary time (up to 6 weeks) after the TCP course to retake Step 1. If more than 6 weeks are required beyond the end of the TCP course to retake Step 1, the student will be placed on an academic remediation LOA.
  9. Students who receive notice of failing Step 1 while enrolled in a clerkship may be granted the option of completing the clerkship for a grade by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Students must use discretionary time (up to 6 weeks) after discontinuation or completion of the clerkship to retake Step 1. If more than 6 weeks are required beyond the discontinuation or completion of the clerkship to retake Step 1, the student will be placed on an academic remediation LOA.
  10. Students on an academic remediation LOA for delaying or failing Step 1 and who do not achieve a passing score on Step 1 by the final Wednesday of Rotation 4 in the year that the academic remediation LOA was instated will be considered for dismissal.
  11. Students who have been on an academic remediation LOA will remain on the LOA until Step 1 is passed and they have resumed the curriculum. Students must begin or resume the clerkship phase curriculum as soon as appropriate after passing Step 1 and no later than Rotation 1 of the next clerkship phase. Students unable to resume the clerkship phase curriculum by the start of Rotation 1 of the next clerkship phase will be considered for dismissal. Students may be required to retake the TCP course.
  12. Placement on an academic remediation LOA does not extend the six-year matriculation to graduation requirement.
  13. Students who fail Step 1 must create and adhere to a remediation plan that is approved and monitored by the LEAD unit.

USMLE Step 2 CK exam requirements:

The deadline for taking Step 2 CK is June 30 following the clerkship phase.  This deadline applies to all students, including students who are going out on a leave of absence (LOA) for a dual-degree or a year of research, but does not apply to students accepted into the MPH or MHA programs who must take Step 2 CK before the start of those programs in May. Additional exceptions to the June 30 deadline may be granted at the discretion of the Associate Dean for Student Affairs based on the student’s personal circumstances, degree program, and academic readiness.

  1. Students who are granted a delay beyond the deadlines stated above to take Step 2 CK will use discretionary time to take Step 2 CK. If more than 6 weeks are required to take Step 2 CK, the student will be placed on an academic remediation LOA and will remain on the LOA until they have passed Step 2 CK and resumed the curriculum.
  2. Students who receive notice of failing the Step 2 CK exam will use discretionary time to retake the exam. If more than 6 weeks are required to retake Step 2 CK, the student will be placed on an academic remediation LOA and will remain on the LOA until they have passed Step 2 CK and resumed the curriculum.
  3. Students on an academic remediation LOA to take or retake Step 2 CK who do not achieve a passing score on Step 2 CK by December 31 of the year that the academic remediation LOA was instated will be considered for dismissal.
  4. Placement on an academic remediation LOA does not extend the six-year matriculation to graduation requirement.
  5. Students who fail Step 2 CK must create a remediation plan under the guidance of the LEAD unit and must adhere to the plan.

General Requirements for Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams:

  1. A passing score for each Step exam must be posted within the stated deadlines. Students not meeting requirements will be considered for dismissal from the Keck School. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the Student Performance Committee (SPC) based on a student’s medical or personal circumstances.
  2. Students who fail a Step 1 or Step 2 CK exam must meet with the LEAD unit to establish an individualized study plan. Students must comply with their established individualized study plan.
  3. Students are allowed a maximum of three attempts on each of the Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams to achieve a passing score. Failure to pass the Step 1 or Step 2 exam on a third attempt will result in an administrative withdrawal from the Keck School.
  4. Students are responsible for all testing fees and registration processes that are necessary to meet the Keck School examination deadline requirements.
  5. Failure of a Step exam may result in a delay in graduation.
  6. All Step exam failures are reported to the Student Performance Committee (SPC) by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will provide the SPC with progress reports on students who are assigned to complete the PASS program or are placed on an academic remediation LOA. Failure to comply with the PASS program or established remediation plans may result in the student receiving adverse actions up to and including dismissal as determined by the SPC.

Reviewed and Approved:  December 17, 2025

Medical Education Curriculum Committee (MECC)