COMLEX-USA Level 3
About COMLEX-USA Level 3
COMLEX-USA Level 3 is the final assessment on your Road to DO Licensure. Passing indicates that you have demonstrated competence in the foundational competencies required for generalist physicians to deliver safe and effective osteopathic medical care for patients as required for entry into the unsupervised practice of osteopathic medicine, and to continue lifelong learning and practice-based learning and improvement.
Examination Description
COMLEX-USA Level 3 is a two-day, computer-based examination that assesses an osteopathic resident’s competence in the foundational competency domains required for generalist physicians to deliver safe and effective osteopathic medical care and promote health in unsupervised clinical settings.Specific content information can be found in the COMLEX-USA Master Blueprint. Familiarizing yourself with the Blueprint will help you anticipate the type of content you will encounter during your Level 3 exam.
Test Specifications
Competency domains assessed include osteopathic principles and practice, osteopathic patient care, application of osteopathic medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, communication skills, professionalism .and ethics, and systems-based practice. The Master Blueprint provides additional detail.
Dimension 1 of the COMLEX-USA blueprint consists of seven competency domains. These consist of foundational abilities representing the required elements and outcomes that define knowledge, skills, experience, attitudes, values, behaviors, and established professional standards an osteopathic physician should possess.
| Dimension 1 Competency Domains | Minimum % Level 3 |
|---|---|
| 1 Osteopathic Principles, Practice, and Manipulative Treatment | 10% |
| 2 Osteopathic Patient Care and Procedural Skills | 40% |
| 3 Application of Knowledge for Osteopathic Medical Practice | 15% |
| 3.1 Foundational Biomedical Sciences Knowledge Base | 10% |
| 4 Practice-Based Learning and Improvement in Osteopathic Medical Practice | 8% |
| 5 Interpersonal and Communication Skills in the Practice of Osteopathic Medicine | 5% |
| 6 Professionalism in the Practice of Osteopathic Medicine | 6% |
| 7 Systems-Based Practice in Osteopathic Medicine | 6% |
Dimension 2 consists of ten clinical presentations, which represent the manner in which a particular patient, group of patients, or community present for osteopathic medical care.
| Dimension 2: Clinical Presentations | Minimum % Level 3 |
|---|---|
| 1 Community Health and Patient Presentations Related to Wellness | 12% |
| 2 Human Development, Reproduction, and Sexuality | 5% |
| 3 Endocrine System and Metabolism | 5% |
| 4 Nervous System and Mental Health | 10% |
| 5 Musculoskeletal System | 13% |
| 6 Genitourinary/Renal System and Breasts | 5% |
| 7 Gastrointestinal System and Nutritional Health | 10% |
| 8 Circulatory and Hematologic Systems | 10% |
| 9 Respiratory System | 10% |
| 10 Integumentary System | 5% |
You Passed! What’s Next?
Usually within four to six weeks of taking your exam, you will receive an email indicating that your score is ready for review. Because COMLEX-USA Level 1 reports a “pass” or “fail” versus a numeric score, you will also receive a Formative Performance Profile that will show your performance in relation to others who have also taken COMLEX-USA Level 1 in the current test cycle.