Recognition of the LCME by the U.S. Department of Education and the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME)

The LCME is recognized as the reliable accreditation authority for MD programs by U.S. medical schools and their parent universities. It also is recognized for this purpose by the U.S. Congress in various health-related laws and by state medical licensing boards. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the LCME for accreditation of programs of medical education leading to the MD degree in the United States in institutions that are themselves accredited by regional accrediting organizations. The LCME has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or its predecessor in the U.S. government since the 1950s. In August 2023, the LCME received its most recent formal written notification that the U.S. Department of Education had granted renewed federal recognition to the LCME for the next five-year period (through 2028).

In 2024, the LCME received WFME recognition for a ten-year term (through 2034). Recognition by the WFME confers the understanding that the LCME has been assessed and found to be credible in its policies and procedures to ensure the quality of medical education in the programs and medical schools that it accredits.