The Special Purpose Examination: An Evaluation of Physicians Taking SPEX and their Pass Rates

Abstract

ABSTRACT State medical boards have long recognized the importance of evaluating the ongoing knowledge and competence of licensed physicians under a variety of circumstances. Before granting or renewing a license, it may be necessary for state boards to evaluate physicians as part of a disciplinary process or following a period of inactivity for either disciplinary or non-disciplinary reasons. The Post-Licensure Assessment System (PLAS), a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), has played a role in assisting state boards with evaluating physicians' basic medical knowledge in all of these circumstances by providing the Special Purpose Examination (SPEX). While SPEX has been administered since 1988, there has not been a nationally published study summarizing the characteristics of physicians taking the exam and their examination pass rates. To address this, we examined physicians who took SPEX between 2003 and 2011, and the outcomes of their exams. Our research demonstrates that the majority of examinees take SPEX for non-disciplinary reasons, with those who take SPEX for disciplinary reasons having lower pass rates. Future research should focus on evaluating the ultimate outcomes for physicians taking SPEX, including the ability to attain and retain a license to practice medicine.