What is LCME Accreditation?

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the recognized national authority for the accreditation of medical education programs leading to the MD degree in the United States and Canada. Sponsored jointly by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and is recognized by the US Department of Education. The goals of the LCME accreditation process are to certify that a medical education program meets established national standards (quality assurance) and engages in ongoing institutional and programmatic quality improvements. For more information, click here to be directed to the LCME website.

Why is LCME Accreditation Important?

Maintaining full accreditation is important to meeting our mission as a medical school. It ensures that our school meets national standards for curriculum, faculty, student services and institutional resources. Accreditation by the LCME also establishes a US medical school’s eligibility for selected federal grants and programs.

For students, medical school accreditation is required to:

          a) take the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USLME);

          b) qualify for residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME);

          c) receive federal aid; and

          d) be eligible for licensure by most state boards.

Our Latest Accreditation Cycle

Initial accreditation: 1971

Most recent full accreditation: 2019 (8-year term)

Next LCME site visit: March 8–10, 2027

How are We Preparing for LCME and What Documents are Submitted?

We are actively preparing for the upcoming LCME site visit in March 2027 through a series of structured and collaborative efforts:

• As part of our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process, a mid-cycle review was conducted by the LCME Compliance Monitoring Committee in 2023. Findings were presented to the Learner Assessment, Curriculum Evaluation and Scholarship (LACES) Committee and subsequently to the Curriculum Committee (CC) in early 2024. The presentation included a review of all accreditation standard/elements.

• Since October 2024, the Renaissance School of Medicine (RSOM) faculty, staff and students have been working together in five Self-Study Subcommittees, each of which addresses one or more of the 12 LCME Standards. These subcommittees have been tasked to conduct a comprehensive review of all aspects of our medical education program for the purpose of identifying the school’s strengths and areas that would benefit from improvement while also ensuring that the school meets all current LCME standards.

• A central focus of the Self-Study Subcommittees and the Compliance Monitoring Committee is the LCME’s Data Collection Instrument (DCI). This document is organized by the 12 LCME standards and the elements that comprise each standard, totaling 92 elements. The standards cover all aspects of the institution including its mission and leadership, learning environment, curriculum, faculty, admissions and student services. Within each element, schools are required to complete data tables, respond to specific questions about policies and procedures, and provide supporting documentation for that element.

• Medical students will play a key role by conducting an Independent Student Analysis (ISA) and submitting their findings to the LCME Compliance Monitoring Committee for inclusion in the review process. The ISA covers a wide range of topics including curriculum, student services, learning environment, research opportunities, advising and career counseling, resources, and facilities, including housing and dedicated-student space. It includes questions that are required by the LCME and those that are designed by the students to address other areas of particular importance to them.

• In November 2026, the school will submit the completed DCI, the ISA, and a summary Self-Study report to the LCME-appointed team for evaluation.

• From March 8–10, 2027, an LCME-appointed team will visit RSOM to interview faculty, staff, and students and to tour major facilities.

LCME Accreditation Committee Members

LCME Compliance Monitoring Committee

Governance, Administration and Infrastructure Committee

Academic Support and Learning Environment Committee    

Faculty and Residents Committee    

Education Committee  

Medical Student Committee