About the LCME

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is an accrediting body for medical education programs leading to the MD degree.

The LCME is jointly sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Medical Association (AMA) and consists of Secretariat staff who maintain offices in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, IL and 21 voting members; 17 professional members who are medical educators and or practicing physicians and are knowledgeable about U.S. medical education programs, two public members, and two medical students.

The LCME Secretariat and the publications on this website are the only official sources of information regarding LCME policies, procedures, and issues related to the intent of elements.

LCME accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process of quality assurance that determines whether the medical education program meets established standards while also fostering institutional and programmatic improvement. To achieve and maintain accreditation, a program must meet the LCME accreditation standards (See Functions and Structure of a Medical School).

Programs are required to demonstrate graduates exhibit general professional competencies that are appropriate for entry to the next stage of training and serve as the foundation for lifelong learning and proficient medical care.

Accreditation by the LCME establishes eligibility for selected federal grants and programs, including Title VII funding administered by the U.S. Public Health Service, and eligibility to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). Most state boards of licensure require that programs be LCME-accredited as a condition for licensure of their graduates. Graduates of LCME-accredited schools are eligible for residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).