USMLE

Passage of the United States Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and  Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK)  are required for graduation as described in the Academic Progress & Promotion Policy. Current registration and fee information are available through the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) office.

Scores are reported approximately four to six weeks after the examination is taken.  Delay in taking or failure of any part of the USMLE may prevent a student's graduation. Students are responsible for meeting the required curriculum standards.

USMLE Step 1

Students are required to take the USMLE Step 1 prior to progression on to the third year. The date by which students must take the USMLE Step 1 will be determined annually by OME and be based on the date the third year begins.

  • A student must obtain a minimum performance standard on the National Board of Medical Examiners Comprehensive Basic Science Exam (CBSE) exam to determine eligibility to take the USMLE Step 1. UNR Med shall administer the CBSE twice during the second year of the medical education program. The timing of CBSE administration and minimum performance standards will be communicated to the students at the beginning of their second year of medical school.
  • In the case of a student in a dual-degree program, they must take the Step 1 exam before starting any additional work toward the non-MD degree.
  • In the case of a student taking a leave of absence following the second year, that has been approved by the School of Medicine, they are subject to the same deadlines as those progressing directly to the third year unless specifically granted an extension by the SPCC.A student may delay taking USMLE Step 1 only if the Student Promotion and Conduct Committee has approved the delay.
  • Conditions for which the SPCC may approve a delay in the scheduling of Step 1 exam include, but are not limited to extraordinary life events and required remediation of year two course material. While the SPCC may require the exam be taken sooner, it must be taken within eight weeks of completion of remediation).

USMLE Step 1 Exam – Failed First Attempt

  1. If a student learns of the Step 1 failure on his/her first attempt while in a clerkship, the student may complete the clerkship in which they are currently enrolled but must withdraw from subsequent clerkships until the exam has been retaken.
  2. The student may request approval from the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs to enroll in a subsequent clerkship until a passing score has been posted and received by the School of Medicine.

USMLE Step 1 Exam – Failed Second Attempt

  1. If a student fails on the second attempt of the Step 1 Exam, the student may not complete the clerkship in which they are currently enrolled and must withdraw from subsequent clerkships and may not re-enroll in them until a passing score has been achieved.
  2. The student may not enroll in any course leading to a dual-degree program until a passing USMLE exam score is received without approval from the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs.
  3. The student will be required to engage in remediation to improve his/her performance on USMLE Step 1 through consultation with the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs. The student may enroll in a Step 1 preparation course associated with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine or with an external organization. The student may enroll in an independent study course, supervised by the Learning Resource Center in the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. As part of independent study, the student will be required to meet weekly and have his/her study supervised by the Learning Resource Center.
  4. A student must obtain approval from the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs before scheduling a third attempt at the USMLE Step 1 exam. The Associate Dean will report on student status to the SPCC. Students are limited to three attempts to pass Step 1. If a student fails on the third attempt they will be dismissed from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine. Every student must pass the USMLE Step 1 exam within one calendar year (12 months) after the date of his/her first attempt. A student who has not received a passing score within 12 months after his/her first attempt may be considered for action by the SPCC, up to and including dismissal. A student may request an extension beyond the 12 months if they can document extraordinary circumstances. The request must be approved by the SPCC. The six-year medical school completion requirement will apply to any extension requests.

USMLE Step 2 CK

The USMLE Step 2 CK must be taken before December 15 of the student's fourth year of medical school. Students are strongly encouraged to take USMLE Step 2 CK only after the completion of the Clinical Reasoning in Medicine (CRIM) course in their third year of medical school. As is the case for Step 1, students must pass Step 2 CK within three total attempts for each exam. Failure of Step 2 CK  on the third attempt will result in dismissal from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.