Examinations (APMLE1, APMLE2 and CSPE)
The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the Medical Education Evaluation and Assessment Manager are responsible for the oversight and administration of computer-based examinations for the SOPM and for establishing examination protocols.
All major exams in the pre-clerkship Years One and Two will be scheduled in advance through the Office of the Dean. The exact times and dates for scheduling examinations will be coordinated with the Module Director. Students will not be allowed to take more than two exams on the same day.
In order to become fully licensed to practice podiatric medicine in the United States, individuals must pass all three NBPME Step exams: APMLE1, APMLE2, and CSPE. Students are expected to take and pass each examination by the deadlines for that examination set by the PMSEPC. Students must be enrolled in the SOPM to be able to register for and take the APMLE 1 and 2 and CSPE. Students are required to complete applications for the APMLE examinations in sufficient time to request test dates on or before the PMSEPC deadlines. Students with circumstances that prevent them from taking or retaking the APMLE 1 and 2 and CSPE according to the dates in this policy must, as soon as possible, petition in writing to the Director of Student Services and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who will review the request and make a determination.
Students must take and pass the APMLE Step One exam before being allowed to complete Year Three. Students must also take and pass the APMLE 2 and CSPE exams prior to graduation. Failure to pass the APMLE 1 or 2 or the CSPE after the third attempt will result in automatic dismissal from the SOPM.
APMLE 1: Students are required to take APMLE prior to the start of Year Three orientation. Students who delay taking APMLE 1 until after the start of Year Three orientation will be referred to the PMSEPC. Students who fail APMLE 1 on their initial attempt will be referred to the PMSEPC and a review of the academic record will be completed. A passing score must be achieved within three attempts by December 15 of the third year.
APMLE 2: Passage of APMLE 2 Written and CSPE are required for graduation. Initial attempts to pass both written and CSPE exams must be completed by February 15th of the year preceding graduation. To ensure that a student who matches to a residency will be able to start the post-graduate year on time, any student who will not be able to obtain a passing score on APMLE Step Two written and CSPE before the final date for submission of the National CASPR rank order list will be withdrawn from the residency match by the OSA. At the discretion of the Director of Student Services and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, such students will be allowed to walk with their class at commencement and will receive a diploma with a later date if it is anticipated that they will have met all graduation requirements within a reasonable time after commencement. Passing scores must be documented no later than April 15 of the year the student expects to graduate.
Failure to document a passing score for either Step Two exam by April 15 will result in a delay in graduation.