UCSF School of Medicine Policy on Step 1 All students must take Step 1 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination at the completion of second year and before beginning clinical clerkships or taking an extended curriculum or leave of absence. Students may proceed to the third-year core clerkships as soon as they have taken Step 1. However, a student who fails cannot continue clinical clerkships. S/He will be permitted to re-enter clerkships after having taken Step 1 for a second time. The School routinely permits two attempts on Step 1, and a third attempt may be allowed in special circumstances, with approval by the Academic Standards Committee and the Vice Dean for Education. Students studying for a third attempt must take a leave of absence from school in order to have sufficient time to prepare. They may not re-enter the third year until notification of a passing score has been received. Students who fail Step 1 on all three attempts will be subject to dismissal from the School of Medicine. Approved by CCEP in November 2002 for implementation as of July 1, 2003 starting with the Class of 2006.