Which option correctly represents the organization responsible for accrediting medical schools in the United States?

• A. National Council for Medical Education
• B. American Board of Medical Specialties
• C. Institute for Medical Education Accreditation
• D. Liaison Committee on Medical Education

Answer: (D)

Medical school accreditation ensures programs meet defined standards for curriculum, faculty, student services, and facilities. In the United States, the organization that accredits MD-granting medical schools is the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, a joint body of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association. LCME evaluates how a school designs its curriculum, ensures clinical experiences, maintains resources, and follows governance and assessment practices to grant accreditation status. The other groups listed do not perform this function: the American Board of Medical Specialties oversees board certification after training, the Institute for Medical Education Accreditation isn’t the accrediting body for medical schools, and the National Council for Medical Education isn’t the recognized accrediting authority.