Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope and purpose of LCME accreditation?
The Liaison Committee on Medical Education is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the reliable authority for the accreditation of medical education programs leading to the MD degree. In the U.S. and Canada, these programs are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). The accreditation process is a voluntary, peer-reviewed quality assurance process that determines whether the medical education program meets 12 standards consisting of 93 elements.
Most state boards of licensure require that U.S. medical schools granting the MD degree be accredited by the LCME as a condition for licensure of their graduates. For U.S. students to be eligible to take the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination, their MD-granting school must be LCME accredited. Graduates of LCME-accredited schools are eligible for residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). For U.S. medical education programs, accreditation by the LCME establishes eligibility for selected federal grants and programs, including Title VII funding administered by the U.S. Public Health Service.
(Excerpted from the LCME website.)
How often does LCME accreditation occur?
Generally, LCME accreditation operates on an eight-year cycle. If the LCME has concerns about a school’s ability to meet accreditation requirements, they may offer a provisional accreditation and require additional reporting or visits.
What were the findings of the last UCSF School of Medicine LCME accreditation cycle?
The UCSF School of Medicine received full LCME accreditation in 2019.
What steps are involved in the LCME process?
The accreditation process occurs over 18-24 months and consists of an institutional self-study ending with a peer review/site visit. The accreditation process includes the following:
- The completion of a Data Collection Instrument (DCI) that contains the school’s response to meeting 12 standards and 93 elements.
- The school’s student body completes an Independent Student Analysis (ISA).
- An Institutional Self-Study Task Force consisting of several sub-committees receives the DCI and ISA and writes a Self-Study Summary Report.
- A three-day visit by a group of faculty members and deans from other medical schools who review the school’s submitted documents and interview faculty, students, and residents.
What are the components of LCME accreditation?
Schools are asked to meet 12 standards consisting of 93 data elements. These standards span the entire mission of the medical school and cover the following topics:
- Mission, Planning, Organization and Integrity
- Leadership and Administration
- Academic and Learning Environments
- Faculty Preparation, Productivity, Preparation, and Policies
- Educational Resources and Infrastructure
- Competencies, Curricular Objectives, and Curricular Design
- Curricular Content
- Curricular Management, Evaluation, and Enhancement
- Teaching Supervision, Assessment, and Student and Patient Safety
- Medical Student Selection, Assignment, and Progress
- Medical Student Academic Support, Career Advising, and Educational Records
- Medical Student Health Services, Personal Counseling, and Financial Aid Services
Who sits on the LCME Institutional Self Study taskforce?
UCSF’s LCME Institutional Self-Study Task Force will be formed in Fall 2025 and will be comprised of Associate Deans, Department Chairs, senior staff, and faculty members who either have expertise in certain aspects of the accreditation elements, or whose outside perspective can provide independent oversight and advice.
The Task Force will be chaired by Dean Talmadge E. King, Jr., MD and Karen Hauer, MD, PhD, Vice Dean for Medical Education. Please reach out to Laura Hannemann, MEd, UCSF School of Medicine Accreditation Program Manager, with any administrative questions.
How will/does LCME affect me and my team?
Faculty and staff may be asked to provide data for the DCI. During the site visit taking place at UCSF from February 1-3, 2027, all medical education staff are asked to be available if needed to support the LCME site visit.
How can I help prepare for the LCME process?
The LCME process is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our School and commit to continuous improvement.
Please understand that during this 24-month process, the School may discover areas that require process improvement which we will want to implement prior to February 2027. We appreciate your patience, flexibility, and commitment to helping us meet and exceed all LCME standards.
At times the LCME Task Force may need to book conference rooms and reschedule key meetings or dates to accommodate the LCME process. Thank you in advance for your flexibility, patience, and understanding!
Who can I contact with questions?
Please reach out to Laura Hannemann, MEd, UCSF School of Medicine Accreditation Program Manager, with any administrative questions.