Chapter Med 1

Med 1.06(3)(b) (b) Commencing January 1, 1994, the board requires the 3-step USMLE sequence as its written or computer-based examination. The minimum passing score for Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 shall be not less than 75 on the 2-digit scale. Step 2 CS, which is scored as pass or fail, shall be passed. Applicants who have completed a standard M.D. or D.O. medical education program shall complete all 3 steps of the examination sequence within 10 years from the date upon which the applicant first passes a step, either Step 1 or Step 2. Applicants who have completed a combined M.D. or D.O. and Ph.D. medical scientist training program shall complete all 3 steps of the examination sequence within 12 years from the date upon which the applicant first passes a step, either Step 1 or Step 2. Applicants who have passed a step may not repeat the step unless required to do so in order to comply with the 10-year or 12-year time limit. If the applicant fails to achieve a passing grade on any step, the applicant may apply for and be reexamined on only the step failed.

Med 1.06 Note Note: The 10-year or 12-year time limit applies to all applicants, regardless of the date of application, including applicants denied under the prior 7-year or 9-year time limit who submit a new application for licensure.

Med 1.06(3)(bm) (bm) The board shall waive completion of the 3-step USMLE sequence for an applicant who has passed all 3 levels of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, commonly known as the COMLEX-USA. The applicant shall have achieved a minimum passing score for Level 1, Level 2-CE, and Level 3 of not less than 75 on the 2-digit scale. Level 2-PE, which is scored as pass or fail, shall be passed.

Med 1.06(3)(c) (c) The board shall waive completion of Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE sequence for applicants who have passed FLEX Component 1 prior to January 1, 2000; and shall waive Step 3 of the USMLE sequence for applicants who have passed FLEX Component 2 prior to January 1, 2000. The board shall waive any step of the USMLE sequence for applicants who have passed the corresponding part of the NBME examination prior to January 1, 2000.

Med 1.06 Note Note: The following table represents application of s. Med 1.06 (3) (c)

- See PDF for table

Med 1.06(3)(d) (d) The board may waive the requirement for written or computer-based examinations required in this section for any applicant who has achieved an overall FLEX weighted average of no less than 75 on the FLEX taken prior to January 1, 1985 in a single session in another licensing jurisdiction in the United States or Canada, in no more than 3 attempts. If the applicant had been examined 4 or more times before achieving a weighted average score of no less than 75, the applicant shall meet the requirements specified in s. Med 1.08.

Med 1.06(3)(e) (e) The board may waive the requirement for written or computer-based examinations required in this section for any applicant who has achieved a score of no less than 75 on Components 1 and 2 of the FLEX administered on or after January 1, 1985 in another licensing jurisdiction in the United States or Canada, if the applicant achieved a score of no less than 75 on each of the 2 components in no more than 3 attempts. If the applicant has been examined 4 or more times before achieving a score of 75 on either or both components of the FLEX, the applicant shall meet the requirements specified in s. Med 1.08.

Med 1.06(3)(f) (f) An applicant who has passed all components of any of the examinations of the following boards and councils may submit to the board verified documentary evidence thereof, and the board will accept this in lieu of requiring further written or computer-based examination of the applicant:

Med 1.06(3)(f)1. 1. National Board of Medical Examiners.

Med 1.06(3)(f)2. 2. National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.

Med 1.06(3)(f)3. 3. Medical Council of Canada, if the examination is taken on or after January 1, 1978.

Med 1.06(3)(f)4. 4. Medical Council of Canada, if the examination was taken before January 1, 1978, and the applicant is board certified at the time of application by a specialty board acceptable to the board.

Med 1.06(3)(g) (g) An applicant who has received passing grades in written or computer-based examinations for a license to practice medicine and surgery conducted by another licensing jurisdiction of the United States or Canada may submit to the board verified documentary evidence thereof. The board will review such documentary evidence to determine whether the scope and passing grades of such examinations are substantially equivalent to those of this state at the time of the applicant’s examination, and if the board finds such equivalence, the board will accept this in lieu of requiring further written or computer-based examination of the candidate. The burden of proof of such equivalence shall lie upon the applicant.

Med 1.06(4) (4) 

Med 1.06(4)(a) (a) An oral examination of an applicant is conducted by one or more physician members of the board. The purpose of an oral exam is to evaluate the applicant’s eligibility for a regular license under the applicable circumstances specified in s. Med 1.06 (1) (a) 1. to 11. The passing grade for an oral exam under this paragraph is 90 percent.

Med 1.06(4)(b) (b) Any applicant who fails the oral examination under par. (a) shall be examined by the board. The grade of an exam under this paragraph shall be the applicant’s final grade for the oral examination under this subsection. The passing grade for an exam under this paragraph is 90 percent.

Med 1.06 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1976, No. 250, eff. 11-1-76; am. (4), Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; am. (3) (b), cr. (3) (b) 1. to 3., Register, October, 1980, No. 298, eff. 11-1-80; cr. (5), Register, October, 1984, No. 346, eff. 11-1-84; emerg. am. (3) (intro.), r. and recr. (3) (a), renum. (3) (b) and (c) to be (3) (c) and (d), cr. (3) (b) eff. 2-8-85; am. (3) (intro.), r. and recr. (3) (a), renum. (3) (b) and (c) to be (3) (c) and (d), cr. (3) (b), Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; r. and recr. (1) Register, April, 1987, No. 376, eff. 5-1-87; renum. (3) (intro), (a), (b), (c) (intro) and (d) to be (3) (a), (d), (e), (f) (intro.) and (g) and am. (a), (d), (e) and (f) (intro.), cr. (3) (b) and (c), Register, January, 1994, No. 457, eff. 2-1-94; am. (1) (a) (intro.), 3. to 6. and (d), r. and recr. (1) (a) 1. and 2., cr. (1) (a) 8. to 11., Register, February, 1997, No. 494, eff. 3-1-97; am. (1) (a) (intro.), (d), (3) (a), (b), (d), (e), (f) (intro.) and (g), Register, March, 2000, No. 531, eff. 4-1-00; CR 01-032: am. (3) (b), Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 11-1-01; CR 03-072: am. (3) (f), cr. (3) (f) 4. Register January 2004 No. 577, eff. 2-1-04; CR 06-114: am. (3), Register April 2007 No. 616, eff. 5-1-07; CR 15-022: am. (1) (a) (intro.), (b), (d), r. (4) Register October 2015 No. 718, eff. 11-1-15; CR 16-047: am. (1) (a) (intro.), 9., (b), (d), (2), (3) (a), (b), cr. (3) (bm), am. (3) (c) to (e), (f) (intro.), 2., cr. (4), r. (5) Register May 2017 No. 737, eff. 6-1-17; correction in (3) (d), (e) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register May 2017 No. 737; correction in (3) (d) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register December 2024 No. 828.

Med 1.08 Med 1.08 Failure and reexamination. If an applicant has been examined 4 or more times in another licensing jurisdiction in the United States or Canada before achieving a passing grade in written or computer-based examinations also required under this chapter, the board may require the applicant to submit evidence satisfactory to the board of further professional training or education in examination areas in which the applicant had previously demonstrated deficiencies. If the evidence provided by the applicant is not satisfactory to the board, the board may require the applicant to obtain further professional training or education as the board deems necessary to establish the applicant’s fitness to practice medicine and surgery in this state. In order to determine any further professional training or education requirement, the board shall consider any information available relating to the quality of the applicant’s previous practice, including the results of the applicant’s performance on the oral examination required under s. 448.05 (6), Stats., and s. Med 1.06.

Med 1.08 Note Note: Application forms are available on request to the board office, 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708.

Med 1.08 History History: Cr. Register, October, 1976, No. 250, eff. 11-1-76; am. (1) and cr (2), Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; am. (2), Register, March, 2000, No. 531, eff. 4-1-00; CR 15-022: am. (2) Register October 2015 No. 718, eff. 11-1-15; CR 16-047: r. (1), am. (2) Register May 2017 No. 737, eff. 6-1-17; renum. (2) to Med 1.08 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register May 2017 No. 737.

Med 1.10 Med 1.10 Board review of examination error claim.

Med 1.10(1) (1) An applicant claiming examination error shall file a written request for board review in the board office within 30 days of the date the examination was reviewed. The request shall include all of the following:

Med 1.10(1)(a) (a) The applicant’s name and address.

Med 1.10(1)(b) (b) The type of license for which the applicant applied.

Med 1.10(1)(c) (c) A description of the mistakes the applicant believes were made in the examination content, procedures, or scoring, including the specific questions or procedures claimed to be in error.

Med 1.10(1)(d) (d) The facts which the applicant intends to prove, including reference text citations or other supporting evidence for the applicant’s claim.

Med 1.10(2) (2) The board shall review the claim, make a determination of the validity of the objections and notify the applicant in writing of the board’s decision and any resulting grade changes. 

Med 1.10(3) (3) If the decision does not result in the applicant passing the examination, a notice of denial of license shall be issued. If the board issues a notice of denial following its review, the applicant may request a hearing under s. SPS 1.05. 

Med 1.10 Note Note: The board office is located at 1400 East Washington Avenue, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, Wisconsin 53708.

Med 1.10 History History: Cr. Register, February, 1997, No. 494, eff. 3-1-97; correction in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2011 No. 671.