Liaison Committee on Medical Education LCME

Overview

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) is the accrediting body for medical education programs leading to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree in the United States and Canada. Established in 1942 through a collaborative effort between the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the LCME sets and enforces standards for medical education to ensure quality and consistency across institutions. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) as the authoritative accreditor for MD programs in these countries.

History and Legal Framework

The LCME was founded at a 1942 conference convened by the AMA and AAMC, aiming to establish a unified approach to accrediting medical schools. This initiative was driven by the need to standardize medical education and ensure that graduates were adequately prepared for medical practice. Over the decades, the LCME has evolved its standards and processes to address changes in medical education, healthcare delivery, and societal needs. Its accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, granting it official status as the accrediting body for MD programs in the United States.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives

Mission: The LCME's mission is to evaluate and accredit medical education programs leading to the MD degree, ensuring that they meet established standards of quality and effectiveness. This process aims to promote continuous improvement in medical education and to protect the public by ensuring that medical schools produce competent and ethical physicians.

Vision: To be a leader in advancing medical education by setting high standards, promoting innovation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in medical schools.

Objectives:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive accreditation standards for medical education programs.
• Conduct thorough evaluations of medical schools to assess compliance with these standards.
• Provide guidance and support to institutions seeking accreditation or reaccreditation.
• Encourage the adoption of best practices and innovative approaches in medical education.
• Collaborate with other accrediting bodies and stakeholders to enhance the quality of medical education.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

The LCME operates as a joint venture between the AMA and AAMC. It comprises 21 voting members: 17 medical professionals, 2 public members, and 2 medical students. This diverse composition ensures a balanced perspective in decision-making. The LCME maintains its independence by establishing policies and procedures that are free from external influence, allowing it to uphold the integrity and credibility of the accreditation process.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

Accreditation by the LCME is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process that assesses whether a medical education program meets established standards for structure, function, and performance. This process involves a comprehensive evaluation, including a self-study by the institution, a site visit by an LCME survey team, and a review of the program's compliance with the LCME's standards. Accreditation is essential for medical schools to receive federal funding and for graduates to be eligible for licensure in most states.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

While the LCME primarily accredits programs in the United States and Canada, it collaborates with international organizations to promote global standards in medical education. The LCME is recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), facilitating international recognition of its accreditation process. This collaboration supports the mobility of medical professionals and the exchange of educational best practices across borders.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

The LCME continues to influence medical education by adapting its standards to address emerging challenges and opportunities in healthcare. Recent discussions have focused on integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into accreditation standards. An executive order issued in April 2025 directed reviews of accrediting bodies, including the LCME, to examine their DEI policies and practices. This reflects the evolving landscape of medical education and the need for accrediting bodies to align with contemporary societal values and legal requirements.

Summary

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality and consistency of medical education in the United States and Canada. Through its rigorous accreditation process, the LCME ensures that medical schools produce competent, ethical, and well-prepared physicians. Its commitment to maintaining high standards and adapting to the evolving needs of healthcare education underscores its importance in the broader landscape of higher education.

FAQs

1. What is the LCME?

   The LCME is the accrediting body for medical education programs leading to the MD degree in the United States and Canada, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the World Federation for Medical Education.

2. When was the LCME established?

   The LCME was established in 1942 through a collaboration between the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges.

3. Who governs the LCME?

   The LCME is governed by 21 voting members, including 17 medical professionals, 2 public members, and 2 medical students, ensuring a diverse and balanced decision-making process.

4. What is the accreditation process?

   Accreditation involves a voluntary, peer-reviewed process that includes a self-study by the institution, a site visit by an LCME survey team, and a review of the program's compliance with established standards.

5. Is LCME accreditation required for medical schools?

   Yes, LCME accreditation is required for medical schools to receive federal funding and for graduates to be eligible for licensure in most states.

Organization Name

Liaison Committee on Medical Education

Acronym

LCME

Year of Establishment

1/01/1942

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

U.S. Department of Education

Affiliations or Memberships

Association for Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

330 North Wabash Avenue
Chicago
60610-4325 Illinois United States

Phone

+1 (312) 464 4933

Fax

+1 (312)464 5830

List of universities offering programs accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME):

Alabama

1. Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine at the University of South Alabama
2. University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine

Arizona

1. University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix
2. University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson

Arkansas

1. Alice L. Walton School of Medicine
2. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine

California

1. California Northstate University College of Medicine
2. California University of Science and Medicine - School of Medicine
3. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science College of Medicine
4. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
5. Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine
6. Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
7. Loma Linda University School of Medicine
8. Stanford University School of Medicine
9. University of California, Davis School of Medicine
10. University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
11. University of California, Riverside School of Medicine
12. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
13. University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Colorado

1. University of Colorado School of Medicine

Connecticut

1. Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
2. University of Connecticut School of Medicine
3. Yale School of Medicine

District of Columbia

1. George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
2. Georgetown University School of Medicine
3. Howard University College of Medicine

Florida

1. Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University
2. Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine
3. Florida State University College of Medicine
4. Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine
5. University of Central Florida College of Medicine
6. University of Florida College of Medicine
7. University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine
8. USF Health Morsani College of Medicine

Georgia

1. Emory University School of Medicine
2. Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University
3. Mercer University School of Medicine
4. Morehouse School of Medicine

Hawaii

1. John A. Burns School of Medicine University of Hawaii at Manoa

Illinois

1. Carle Illinois College of Medicine
2. Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3. Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
4. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
5. Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center
6. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
7. University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine
8. University of Illinois College of Medicine

Indiana

1. Indiana University School of Medicine

Iowa

1. University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine

Kansas

1. University of Kansas School of Medicine

Kentucky

1. University of Kentucky College of Medicine
2. University of Louisville School of Medicine

Louisiana

1. Louisiana State University School of Medicine in Shreveport
2. LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in New Orleans
3. Tulane University School of Medicine

Maryland

1. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
3. University of Maryland School of Medicine

Massachusetts

1. Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine
2. Harvard Medical School
3. Tufts University School of Medicine
4. University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine

Michigan

1. Central Michigan University College of Medicine
2. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
3. Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
4. University of Michigan Medical School
5. Wayne State University School of Medicine
6. Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine

Minnesota

1. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
2. University of Minnesota Medical School

Mississippi

1. University of Mississippi School of Medicine

Missouri

1. Saint Louis University School of Medicine
2. University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
3. University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
4. Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

Nebraska

1. Creighton University School of Medicine
2. University of Nebraska College of Medicine

Nevada

1. Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV
2. Roseman University College of Medicine
3. University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

New Hampshire

1. Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

New Jersey

1. Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
2. Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
3. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
4. Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

New Mexico

1. University of New Mexico School of Medicine

New York

1. Albany Medical College
2. Albert Einstein College of Medicine
3. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
4. CUNY School of Medicine
5. Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
6. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
7. Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo
8. New York Medical College
9. NYU Grossman School of Medicine
10. NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine
11. Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
12. State University of New York Upstate Medical University Alan and Marlene Norton College of Medicine
13. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University College of Medicine
14. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
15. Weill Cornell Medicine

North Carolina

1. Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
2. Duke University School of Medicine
3. University of North Carolina School of Medicine
4. Wake Forest University School of Medicine

North Dakota

1. University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Ohio

1. Boonshoft School of Medicine Wright State University
2. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
3. Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine
4. The Ohio State University College of Medicine
5. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
6. University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences

Oklahoma

1. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine

Oregon

1. Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine

Pennsylvania

1. Drexel University College of Medicine
2. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
3. Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
4. Penn State College of Medicine
5. Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
6. Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
7. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Puerto Rico

1. Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
2. San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
3. Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine
4. University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine

Rhode Island

1. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

South Carolina

1. Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
2. University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia
3. University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville

South Dakota

1. University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine

Tennessee

1. East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine
2. Meharry Medical College School of Medicine
3. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University
4. University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine
5. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Texas

1. Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine at TCU
2. Baylor College of Medicine School of Medicine
3. McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
4. Paul L. Foster School of Medicine Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
5. Texas A&M University College of Medicine
6. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
7. The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School
8. The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine
9. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine
10. University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine
11. University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine
12. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
13. University of Texas Southwestern Medical School

Utah

1. Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah

Vermont

1. Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont

Virginia

1. Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University
2. University of Virginia School of Medicine
3. Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
4. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Washington

1. University of Washington School of Medicine
2. Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine

West Virginia

1. Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
2. West Virginia University School of Medicine

Wisconsin

1. Medical College of Wisconsin
2. University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

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Wikipedia Article

Liaison Committee on Medical Education's Wikipedia article

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