Two accreditors, split by degree
U.S. medical education is accredited by one of two bodies, depending on the degree:
- LCME — Liaison Committee on Medical EducationAccredits MD (allopathic) programs in the U.S. and Canada. Jointly sponsored by the AAMC and the AMA, and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authority for MD education.
- COCA — Commission on Osteopathic College AccreditationAccredits DO (osteopathic) programs. Part of the American Osteopathic Association, and USDE-recognized.
Both are programmatic accreditors recognized by the Department of Education. Which one applies is determined entirely by whether the school grants the MD or the DO.
Why medical accreditation is the gate to everything
In medicine, accreditation is not optional signaling — it is the gatekeeper for the entire licensure pathway:
- Licensing examsTo sit for the USMLE (MD) or COMLEX (DO), you must be enrolled in or a graduate of an LCME- or COCA-accredited school.
- Residency (GME)Only graduates of accredited medical schools can enter ACGME-accredited residency programs.
- Licensure in all statesState medical boards require graduation from an LCME- or COCA-accredited school (or an approved international equivalent via ECFMG) as a condition of licensure.
- Federal programsLCME/COCA accreditation establishes eligibility for certain federal grants and programs.
The international route (ECFMG)
Graduates of medical schools outside the U.S. can pursue U.S. licensure through ECFMG certification, provided their school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting eligibility requirements. This is a separate, well-defined pathway — but it still hinges on the school’s recognized standing, not an unaccredited shortcut.
LCME standards in the spotlight
Medical-school accreditation is caught up in the 2025-26 federal scrutiny of accreditors. Executive Order 14279 named the LCME specifically, and the LCME revised its standards — notably reworking the former diversity element (Standard 7.6) in its 2027-2028 framework toward clinical reasoning and self-directed learning. The LCME and COCA remain the recognized medical accreditors. See the recognition page for context.
Verify a medical school
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
- Who accredits medical schools? LCME accredits MD (allopathic) programs; COCA accredits DO (osteopathic) programs. Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Do I need an accredited medical school to take the USMLE or COMLEX? Yes. You must be enrolled in or a graduate of an LCME-accredited (MD) or COCA-accredited (DO) school to sit for the USMLE or COMLEX.
- Is medical school accreditation required for licensure? Yes. State medical boards require graduation from an LCME- or COCA-accredited school (or an approved international school via ECFMG) as a condition of licensure.
- What is the difference between LCME and COCA? LCME accredits MD programs and is sponsored by the AAMC and AMA; COCA accredits DO programs and is part of the American Osteopathic Association. Both lead to full physician licensure.
- Can I get licensed from an international medical school? Yes, through ECFMG certification if the school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools as meeting eligibility requirements — a defined pathway, not an unaccredited shortcut.
- Are the LCME standards changing? Yes. Executive Order 14279 named the LCME, and the LCME reworked its former diversity element in its 2027-2028 standards. LCME and COCA remain the recognized accreditors.
- Does an MD or DO matter for residency? Both LCME-accredited MD and COCA-accredited DO graduates enter the single ACGME residency system; the accreditation of the school is what makes graduates eligible.
- How do I verify a medical school's accreditation? Check the LCME (MD) or COCA (DO) directory, or the World Directory of Medical Schools for international programs, then cross-check USDE DAPIP.