(a)(1) Each applicant for licensure by examination in medicine and surgery shall be required to successfully complete either of the following:

1. (A) Step 1, step 2, and step 3 of the United States medical licensing examination (USMLE); or

2. (B) the substantial equivalent of the examination specified in paragraph (a)(1)(A) in the year the examination was completed, as determined by the board.

   1. (2) Each applicant who does not complete all steps of the USMLE within seven total attempts shall be deemed ineligible for licensure by examination until the applicant has submitted evidence acceptable to the board of further professional study of the subject matter tested in each USMLE step not completed by the applicant and the board determines that the further professional study is sufficient to substantially improve the applicant's likelihood of completing each USMLE step not completed by the applicant.

      (b)(1) Each applicant for licensure by examination in osteopathic medicine and surgery shall be required to successfully complete either of the following:

      (A)(i) Step 1, step 2, and step 3 of the USMLE; or

      1. (ii) level 1, level 2, and level 3 of the comprehensive osteopathic medical licensing examination (COMLEX-USA); or

3. (B) the substantial equivalent of either examination specified in paragraphs (b)(1)(A)(i) and (ii) in the year the examination was completed, as determined by the board.

   1. (2) Each applicant who does not complete all steps of the USMLE or all levels of the COMLEX-USA within seven total attempts shall be deemed ineligible for licensure by examination until the applicant has submitted evidence acceptable to the board of further professional study of the subject matter tested in each USMLE step or COMLEX-USA level not completed by the applicant and the board determines that the further professional study is sufficient to substantially improve the applicant's likelihood of completing each USMLE step or COMLEX-USA level not completed by the applicant.

(Authorized by K.S.A. 65-2828 and K.S.A. 65-2865; implementing K.S.A. 65-2828, K.S.A. 65-2833, and K.S.A. 65-2873; effective Jan. 1, 1966; amended Feb. 15, 1977; amended July 7, 2000; amended Nov. 13, 2020.)