Read the frequently asked questions regarding the Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation process.
Who accredits MD-granting U.S. medical schools? What standards are used to accredit schools?
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) accredits medical education programs leading to the MD degree in the United States and Canada. More information on the LCME can be found in the About section. To be accredited, programs must meet the 12 accreditation standards described in the LCME publication, Functions and Structure of a Medical School.
Why are there two LCME offices? Which one should I contact?
The LCME is jointly sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Medical Association (AMA). The AAMC and the AMA each appoint an LCME Co-and assistant secretary (known jointly as the LCME Secretariat) and maintain accreditation offices in Washington, DC and Chicago, IL, respectively. For more information on whom to contact, please visit the Contact page.
Is a list of LCME-accredited U.S. medical education programs available to the public?
Yes, a current listing of LCME-accredited medical education programs leading to the MD degree in the United States is available in the Medical School Directory section.
Why is accreditation important?
Accreditation signifies that national standards for structure, function, and performance are met by a medical school’s educational program leading to the MD degree. LCME accreditation establishes eligibility for selected federal grants and programs, including Title VII funding administered by the U.S. Public Health Service. Students enrolled in and graduates of LCME-accredited medical schools are eligible to take United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step examinations. These graduates also are eligible to enter residencies approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Graduation from an LCME-accredited U.S. medical school and successful completion of national licensing examinations are accepted as prerequisites for medical licensure in most states.
Does the LCME rank medical schools according to quality?
Medical schools are not ranked by the LCME. The LCME evaluates medical education programs according to standards for organization, function, and performance, but it does not attempt to stratify institutions according to their characteristics. Medical schools differ greatly based on their missions and characteristics: whether they are private or state-supported or free-standing or a component of a parent university. They differ in their sources of funding (e.g., state appropriations, tuition, and/or income from clinical services and research); their relative emphasis on teaching, research, and medical practice; the size of their faculties and enrollments; the scope of their research and their graduation of future scientists and teachers; and their emphasis on primary care and the training of future community physicians. While the quality of education is partly determined by the organization of programs and the adequacy of resources, it also depends on the dedication of the faculty to teaching and to maintaining an environment conducive to learning. These and other important attributes may be obscured by efforts to rank schools by such variables as their size and the reputation of their faculties, levels of research funding, and/or clinical facilities.
Now that my medical school’s survey visit date has been set, when will school officials receive information about developing the visit schedule, hotel arrangements, and visit logistics? Who will serve on the survey team visiting my school?
Accreditation Preparation provides information for medical schools and students preparing for a survey visit.
