NBOME President Updates Students and Faculty on COMLEX Changes
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NBOME President Updates Students and Faculty on COMLEX Changes


January 25, 2023

Members of the PCOM Georgia DO program pose together in front of blue wallJohn R. Gimpel, DO ’88, met with PCOM Georgia faculty and students during a recent campus visit.


Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduate John R. Gimpel, DO ’88, president and CEO of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, visited PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia recently to update students and faculty members about recent developments at the organization.

The NBOME, which was founded in 1934 as the National Board of Examiners for Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, has a mission to protect the public and ensure access to quality care by providing a way to assess competency to practice osteopathic medicine.

Dr. Gimpel explained that for osteopathic medical students, the NBOME provides a pathway to physician licensure. The AOA’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation requires that medical students and residents take and pass the COMLEX-USA exam series—the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing exams. The exams have three levels and are taken following the first and second years of medical school. The third exam is offered during residency training. Passing results are required for DOs and accepted by all state licensing boards.

COMLEX Changes

Dr. Gimpel noted that the COMLEX – USA Level 1 exam recently changed to pass/fail score reporting. Also, by late summer, all testing will be offered at Pearson VUE testing centers instead of Prometric testing centers.

Other NBOME news of note is that the COMLEX – USA Level 2-PE or performance examination was discontinued in June 2022. Candidates are now verified as proficient in clinical skills for osteopathic medical practice by attestation from their medical school dean. The skills include patient communication, incorporating hands-on physical exams and other data-gathering skills, performing osteopathic manipulative treatments, and documentation.

Dr. Gimpel shaking hands with David McCleskeyPCOM Board of Trustees member David McCleskey attended the event as a representative of the board. He said, “Dr. John Gimpel’s visit was a success on many fronts. His engagement with faculty and student leadership was a meaningful professional learning experience.”

He commended PCOM Georgia’s Osteopathic Medicine Dean and Chief Academic Officer Andrea Mann, DO, and members of the Dean’s leadership team on their “candid dialogue” during a roundtable session. He also noted that the student session was “exemplary” with clear information and excellent student questions.

“As we approach PCOM’s 125th year of excellence in osteopathic medical education and championing whole person health care, our partnership with NBOME will continue to strengthen,” he said.

Not only is Dr. Gimpel an alumnus, but members of the NBOME leadership team, executive committee, board of directors, and National Faculty are also PCOM graduates.

According to its website, the NBOME is an independent, nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization. COMLEX-USA is the only exam recognized by the Federation of State Medical Boards, which is required for accreditation of DO-granting medical schools. 

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About PCOM Georgia

Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.

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Jamesia Harrison, MS
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Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
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