What is the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)?

• A. national accrediting agency for podiatric medicine
• B. national accrediting agency for medical education programs in the United States and Canada
• C. exam required of medical graduates to license
• D. certifying exam for hospice and palliative medicine

Answer: (B)

Accreditation in medical education is the process that sets and checks standards for medical schools to ensure their programs prepare students to become competent physicians. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education is the national accrediting body responsible for evaluating and accrediting medical education programs that grant the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in the United States and Canada. It’s jointly sponsored by major medical education organizations, and its inspections and accreditation decisions reflect whether a program meets the established standards for curriculum, faculty, facilities, student support, and assessment. This is different from licensing exams or certification exams, and it’s also different from accrediting bodies that oversee other professions (like podiatry) or from specialty certification tests. So the statement that LCME is the national accrediting agency for medical education programs in the United States and Canada is the best description.