Texas Medical Association Calls for Equivalent Recognition of COMLEX-USA and USMLE Exams in Residency Program Applications
May 23, 2024
The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), an independent, nonprofit organization that provides competency assessments for osteopathic medical licensure and related health care professions, was pleased to learn of the adoption of a resolution by the Texas Medical Association (TMA) for promoting universal acceptance of COMLEX-USA among Texas medical residency programs.
Resolution 204, which was adopted at the TMA House of Delegates meeting in May, states “That the Texas Medical Association promote equal acceptance of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX) at all Texas residency programs.”
In addition, the resolution states that the TMA will work with appropriate stakeholders to educate residency program directors in Texas on interpreting COMLEX-USA scores and will support efforts to encourage residency and fellowships in that state to accept COMLEX-USA scores as equivalent to those of USMLE.
“As a member of the Texas Medical Association Academic Subcommittee that supported this resolution, I am proud of our state for taking this bold action towards ensuring parity for osteopathic students as they pursue their residency training,” said NBOME Board Member Sajid A. Surve, DO.
“Texas is among the top 10 states with the most DOs in practice, and home to three colleges of osteopathic medicine,” said John R. Gimpel, DO, MEd, president and CEO of the NBOME. “In addition, nearly 17 percent of all resident physicians in Texas are graduates of an osteopathic medical school.
“This action by the TMA not only demonstrates their support of osteopathic students and physicians and their valid credentials,” he continued, “but it also ensures the continued growth of the profession in that state by educating residency program directors on the value that DOs can bring to their programs and to their patients.”
For more on the Texas Medical Association, visit texmed.org.
