Board Exam Requirements

Step 1

USMLE Step 1 must be taken by Feb. 28 following the completion of the Major Clinical Year and before beginning Differentiation and Integration (electives and scholarly project).

Exceptions are:

  • Students in the MD/PhD program complete Fundamentals, up to 12 weeks of Major Clinical Year, a two-month Step 1 preparation period and then take Step 1.
  • Students in the PhD-to-MD program complete four Major Clinical Year clerkships and a one-month study period and then take Step 1.
  • Students who begin Columbia Business School immediately following Major Clinical Year will be removed from a clerkship of their choice to prepare for and take Step 1 before beginning Business School in early January following Major Clinical Year. They will take this deferred clerkship upon their return to P&S and before beginning Differentiation and Integration.
  • Students in the Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) or Oral Pathology program must take Step 1 by late January following the completion of the Fundamentals curriculum, and before beginning clerkships with the second block of Major Clinical Year. Instead of taking the first block which will be the surgical subspecialties clerkship, they will take these subspecialties as a required elective during first year summer.

Passing Step 1 is a requirement to continue in the clinical curriculum and a requirement for graduation. Students who fail Step 1 will be removed from their academic work for one month to allow for study time to retake the exam. Step 1 must be retaken by 90 days after the first attempt. Students who fail Step 1 a second time will be removed from the curriculum for 6 months to prepare to retake it a third and final time.

Step 2 Clinical Knowledge

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) must be taken by July 31 following the Major Clinical Year.

Exceptions are:

  • Students beginning the dual degree MD/MBA program immediately after Major Clinical Year must take CK by July 31 after returning in January to medical school from business school. Students who begin Business School during Differentiation and Integration must take CK by July 31 before beginning Business School.
  • Students in the MD/PhD and PhD to MD programs must take CK by Dec. 31 of the graduation year.
  • Students who take a year off during Differentiation and Integration for research or other reasons are encouraged to take CK before beginning the research year, and must take CK by July 31 following the year off.
  • Students in the OMFS or Oral Pathology program must take CK by Jan. 31 of the graduation year.

Passing Step 2 CK is a requirement for graduation from P&S. Students who fail CK must retake the exam by Jan. 31 of the same academic year. Students who fail CK and are in the MD/PhD, or OMFS program must retake CK by April 1 of the graduation year. Students can take Step 2 CK a maximum of three times.