Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - Licensing and Board Certification

Licensing and Board Certification

To obtain a license to practice medicine in the United States, medical students must pass the COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam). licensing board at the conclusion of their medical training. Students are given the option of taking the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) to apply for some Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency programs. Those that have received or are in the process of earning an M.D. or D.O. are both eligible to sit for the USMLE. Because of their additional training, only holders of the D.O. are eligible to sit for the COMLEX.

Upon completion of internship and residency requirements for their chosen medical specialty, and depending on whether the program attended as ACGME or AOA accredited, holders of the D.O. may elect to be board certified by either a specialty board (through the American Medical Association's American Board of Medical Specialties) or an osteopathic specialty board (through the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists certifying boards).

Depending on the state, medical licensure may be issued from a combined board (D.O. and M.D.) or a separate board of medical examiners. All of the 70 state medical boards are members of the Federation of State Medical Boards.