Which exam is required of medical school graduates to become licensed to practice medicine?

• A. United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
• B. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
• C. Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA)
• D. Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME)

Answer: (A)

The exam most medical graduates must pass to become licensed to practice medicine is the United States Medical Licensing Examination. This licensing test is designed to show that you can apply medical knowledge to real patient care and is the standard requirement recognized by state medical boards for physicians trained in allopathic medicine. The MCAT is for medical school admission, not licensure. The COMLEX-USA serves the licensing path for many DO graduates, and some DOs also pursue USMLE, but it’s not the universal requirement for all physicians. The CPME pertains to podiatry licensing. So, the USMLE is the exam that fulfills the licensure requirement for most physician tracks.