For every osteopathic medical student, the journey to becoming a physician is marked by a series of high-stakes exams that define their future. At the center of this journey is the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, or COMLEX-USA. More than just a test, the COMLEX is the primary pathway to gaining licensure for Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) across the United States. It’s the fundamental measure of your knowledge and a critical component of your readiness to practice medicine.
The COMLEX series is designed to be a multi-step evaluation, with each level serving as a crucial milestone in your medical education. Much like other medical licensing exams, each step assesses a different stage of your development as a physician. Level 1 evaluates your foundational understanding of biomedical sciences after your preclinical years. Level 2-CE focuses on your ability to apply medical knowledge to clinical practice, typically taken during your rotations. Finally, Level 3 determines if you are ready to provide unsupervised medical care to patients as you begin your career as a resident.
Because these exams are essential for both licensure and competitive residency applications, the day you receive your score is a pivotal moment. The outcome determines your next immediate steps, from planning rotations and residency applications to, in some cases, re-evaluating your study strategies for a retake. The period of waiting for that result can be filled with anxiety and anticipation. Knowing the exact COMLEX score release date is the first step in managing that stress and preparing for what comes next.
This guide summarizes the 2026–2027 COMLEX-USA score-release cycle. NBOME dates can change, so verify the official schedule before making an application or travel decision.
Official 2026–2027 COMLEX Score Release Dates
Below are the official, verified testing windows and corresponding score release dates provided by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME).
COMLEX Level 1 Score Release Dates
Here is the complete schedule for the COMLEX score release level 1. Find your test date window to pinpoint when you’ll receive your score.
| If You Test Between These Dates: | Your Score Will Be Released On: |
| May 7, 2026 – May 31, 2026 | Tuesday, June 30, 2026 |
| June 1, 2026 – June 13, 2026 | Thursday, July 9, 2026 |
| June 14, 2026 – June 27, 2026 | Tuesday, July 21, 2026 |
| June 28, 2026 – July 28, 2026 | Tuesday, August 11, 2026 |
| July 29, 2026 – August 27, 2026 | Thursday, September 10, 2026 |
| August 28, 2026 – September 23, 2026 | Tuesday, October 6, 2026 |
| September 24, 2026 – October 23, 2026 | Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
| October 24, 2026 – November 25, 2026 | Tuesday, December 8, 2026 |
| November 26, 2026 – December 31, 2026 | Tuesday, January 12, 2027 |
| January 2, 2027 – January 27, 2027 | Tuesday, February 9, 2027 |
| January 28, 2027 – March 5, 2027 | Tuesday, March 23, 2027 |
| March 6, 2027 – April 10, 2027 | Thursday, April 22, 2027 |
COMLEX Level 2 Score Release Dates
For those awaiting the COMLEX 2 score release, the schedule below outlines the official COMLEX level 2 score release dates.
| If You Test Between These Dates: | Your Score Will Be Released On: |
| June 4, 2026 – June 27, 2026 | Tuesday, August 4, 2026 |
| June 28, 2026 – July 16, 2026 | Thursday, August 13, 2026 |
| July 17, 2026 – August 4, 2026 | Tuesday, August 25, 2026 |
| August 5, 2026 – August 23, 2026 | Tuesday, September 15, 2026 |
| August 24, 2026 – September 9, 2026 | Tuesday, September 22, 2026 |
| September 10, 2026 – October 9, 2026 | Thursday, October 22, 2026 |
| October 10, 2026 – November 10, 2026 | Tuesday, November 24, 2026 |
| November 12, 2026 – December 4, 2026 | Thursday, December 17, 2026 |
| December 5, 2026 – January 8, 2027 | Thursday, January 21, 2027 |
| January 9, 2027 – February 12, 2027 | Thursday, February 25, 2027 |
| February 13, 2027 – March 17, 2027 | Tuesday, March 30, 2027 |
| March 18, 2027 – April 24, 2027 | Thursday, May 6, 2027 |
COMLEX Level 3 Score Release Dates
Finally, for residents awaiting their final board results, here are the COMLEX level 3 score release dates.
| If You Test Between These Dates: | Your Score Will Be Released On: |
| January 14, 2026 – February 7, 2026 | Thursday, April 2, 2026 |
| March 2, 2026 – March 21, 2026 | Thursday, May 14, 2026 |
| April 6, 2026 – May 2, 2026 | Thursday, June 11, 2026 |
| May 18, 2026 – June 6, 2026 | Thursday, July 23, 2026 |
| June 22, 2026 – July 18, 2026 | Thursday, August 27, 2026 |
| August 3, 2026 – August 29, 2026 | Thursday, October 8, 2026 |
| September 14, 2026 – October 10, 2026 | Thursday, November 19, 2026 |
| October 26, 2026 – November 14, 2026 | Thursday, January 7, 2027 |
| November 30, 2026 – December 19, 2026 | Thursday, February 11, 2027 |
What to Do After Your Score Is Released
Receiving your score is a pivotal moment. Here’s how you can plan for what’s next, no matter the outcome.
- If you passed Level 1: Congratulations! You’ve cleared a major hurdle. As you prepare for clinical rotations, it’s smart to start thinking ahead. Get a head start on the next step with Lecturio’s expert-led COMLEX Level 2 prep course.
- If you passed Level 2: Excellent work! You’ve proven your clinical knowledge. Now the final step in the COMLEX series awaits you during residency. While preparing for Level 3 involves practical experience, the key is to continuously sharpen your diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills.
- If you passed Level 3: You did it! Finishing the COMLEX series is a monumental achievement. As you continue in your residency and plan your career, consider enhancing your credentials with advanced certifications.
- If you need to retake any level: This is a setback, not a defeat. Feeling disappointed is normal, but a new strategy can make all the difference. To build a stronger foundation and target your weak areas, explore Lecturio’s prep courses for COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2.
Your journey through the COMLEX series is a marathon. No matter where you are in the process, having a reliable plan and the right resources is key to your success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Score Release Day
What time does COMLEX release scores?
This is the most common question students ask. The official NBOME answer is that scores are posted by 5:00 PM Central Time on the designated release date. However, many students report seeing their scores appear in the NBOME portal earlier in the day. The exact comlex score release time can vary.
How do I check my score?
You will receive an email notification from NBOME once your score is available. To view your score report, you must log in to your NBOME account.
Is COMLEX Level 1 scored or Pass/Fail?
COMLEX Level 1 is a Pass/Fail exam. You will not receive a three-digit score. This approach emphasizes the attainment of a minimum standard of competence for foundational biomedical sciences. COMLEX Level 2-CE and Level 3, however, do provide a three-digit numerical score in addition to a Pass/Fail result, which are often used for residency program applications.
Why isn’t my score released immediately?
The delay between your test date and the score release allows the NBOME to conduct a thorough analysis of exam results. This process, known as psychometric analysis, involves collecting data from all candidates in a testing window and statistically analyzing it to ensure that the exam is fair, valid, and reliable for all test-takers before any scores are finalized and released.
If I need to retake an exam, how soon can I do it?
The NBOME has specific policies for retakes. For Level 1 and Level 2-CE, you must wait at least 60 days between your first and second attempts, and 90 days between subsequent attempts. For Level 3, you must wait at least 90 days between all attempts. There is also a limit of four attempts per exam level in any 12-month period. It is crucial to use this waiting period to create a new, effective study plan.
