The Definitive 2025 COMLEX Level 3 Score Release Schedule: 5 Critical Things You Must Know
The wait for your COMLEX Level 3 scores is notoriously long, but having the most current and accurate information is the best way to manage the anxiety. As of the current date, December 19, 2025, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) has published its official score release schedule for the 2025 testing cycle, confirming that candidates should still expect an approximate 8–10 week delay from the end of their respective testing window. This extended timeline, compared to other COMLEX exams, is due to the rigorous, multi-step quality assurance process required for the final licensing examination.
The COMLEX-USA Level 3 exam is the final hurdle in the licensure process for osteopathic physicians, and receiving your results is a pivotal moment in your residency training. Understanding the exact schedule, the scoring process, and where to look is crucial for planning your professional future and meeting any residency program requirements.
Official 2025 COMLEX Level 3 Score Release Dates & Timeline
The NBOME does not release scores on a daily basis. Instead, it operates on a fixed schedule tied to specific testing windows. Your personal score release date is determined by the last day of the testing window in which you completed your two-day, computer-based examination. The general rule remains consistent: scores are typically available 8 to 10 weeks after the end date of the testing window.
Key 2025 COMLEX Level 3 Testing Windows and Release Dates
To provide the most up-to-date clarity, here are examples of the official 2025 testing windows and their corresponding score release periods, as published by the NBOME:
- Testing Window: January 15 – February 8, 2025
- Approximate Score Release Window: Mid-March to Early April 2025
- Testing Window: October 27 – November 15, 2025
- Approximate Score Release Window: Late December 2025 to Mid-January 2026
It is paramount that every COMLEX candidate consults the official NBOME website for the complete, most current, and specific calendar, as these dates are subject to change by the National Board. The score reports are generally posted by 5:00 PM Central Time (CT) on the designated release day.
Decoding the 8–10 Week Score Delay and Quality Assurance
The anxiety of the score wait is amplified by the fact that the Level 3 results take significantly longer to process than the Level 1 and Level 2-CE examinations, which are typically released in 4–6 weeks. Understanding the reason for this extended 8–10 week timeline can help manage expectations.
The NBOME Quality Assurance Process
The primary reason for the delay is the NBOME’s rigorous and mandatory quality assurance process. Before any examination results are posted, the NBOME conducts a thorough review to ensure the accuracy of every candidate's score. This process is complex and includes several steps:
- Data Collation and Verification: Ensuring all data from both days of the two-day examination is correctly logged and matched to the appropriate candidate.
- Psychometric Analysis: The exam is scaled to account for slight variations in difficulty across different exam forms. This process ensures that the three-digit standard score a candidate receives is a fair and accurate representation of their performance, regardless of the specific test form they took.
- Final Review: A final, comprehensive check is performed before the results are officially certified and released to the candidates and their respective institutions.
Because the COMLEX Level 3 is the final licensing step, assessing competence in the foundational competency domains for independent practice, the stakes for accuracy are highest, necessitating the longer timeline for this critical quality assurance.
The COMLEX Level 3 Passing Score and Score Reporting Entities
For an osteopathic resident, the most critical number is the minimum passing score. Fortunately, the Level 3 exam boasts a historically high pass rate for first-time takers, often exceeding 97%.
Minimum Passing Score and Score Range
The minimum three-digit standard score required to pass the COMLEX-USA Level 3 examination is 350.
- Minimum Passing Score: 350
- Score Range: 9 to 999
- Mean Score (Approximate): Historically around 520
Achieving a score of 350 or higher signifies that the candidate has demonstrated the necessary knowledge and clinical skills to practice medicine competently and independently. While a higher score may be a point of pride, the goal for the Level 3 is simply to pass to complete the licensing sequence.
Where and How to Check Your Results
When the score release day finally arrives, you will need to know the exact platform to access your results. The NBOME utilizes a secure online portal for all score reporting.
- Platform: The official NBOME Portal.
- Access Point: Scores are posted to the candidate's personal account under the “View Score Report” section.
- Notification: While the NBOME posts the scores on the designated day, candidates are not always notified immediately. It is an industry best practice to log into the NBOME Portal directly around the 5:00 PM CT release time to check for the update.
In addition to the candidate's account, the score reports are also sent to the secure school page of the NBOME Portal, allowing your institution to view your results. This is essential for the final certification of your osteopathic medical license.
What Happens After the COMLEX Level 3 Score Release?
Receiving a passing score on the COMLEX Level 3 marks the final major assessment in the licensure pathway. For the osteopathic resident, this result is crucial for several reasons and triggers the next steps in their career:
- Licensure Completion: A passing score is required for full, unrestricted medical licensure in all states. It confirms your competency in the osteopathic principles and practice necessary for independent practice.
- Residency Program Requirements: While you are already in a residency program, some programs may have internal deadlines or requirements related to the final COMLEX score.
- Formative Feedback: Your score report includes a Formative Feedback Report, which provides a breakdown of your performance across the various competency domains. This detailed report can be invaluable for identifying areas of strength and weakness as you continue your residency training.
- Score Transcript Requests: Once the score is released, you can officially request that your transcript be sent to state licensing boards, hospitals, or other entities as needed for your career progression.
The time between taking the exam and receiving the score is a period of intense waiting, but knowing the official score release schedule and the minimum passing score of 350 allows you to plan with confidence. Focus on your residency duties, knowing that the NBOME is diligently working through its quality assurance process to deliver accurate results by the official timeline.
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