BALTIMORE, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Prometric, the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services, and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), which provides the examinations by which osteopathic physician applicants attain a license to practice osteopathic medicine, today announce the conversion of the current paper-and-pencil-based examination program to a computer-based test (CBT) format. The three NBOME examinations (COMLEX-USA Levels 1, 2 and 3) that comprise the licensing examination series will be offered throughout the year, at least once monthly, at over 300 Thomson Prometric testing centers nationwide. As a result, examination candidates will test in a highly secure, consistent environment with greater flexibility in choosing both the test date and location.
“Computer-based examinations give us the reassurance that we are testing osteopathic candidates appropriately, while meeting the high standards of our profession,” said NBOME President, Frederick G. Meoli, D.O., FACOS. “It has been a pleasure working with Thomson Prometric to accomplish the conversion to computer-based testing. Thomson Prometric has been professional, timely, and innovative in meeting the needs of NBOME and our constituents.”
The NBOME offers a three level examination program, COMLEX-USA, which provides a Level for each element of the licensing process, focusing on the knowledge medical students acquire from the first two years of medical school (Level 1); to the clinical knowledge typical of osteopathic medical clerkship (Level 2), and to the requisite clinical knowledge expected of practicing osteopathic physicians (Level 3).
“Teaming with Thomson Prometric for the CBT conversion of COMLEX-USA is a reflection of the commitment of the NBOME to maintain the highest standards of professional testing in the interest of the public,” says Dr. Meoli.
“We are very excited about the computerization of the osteopathic medical licensure examinations,” said Alison Indrisano, Thomson Prometric chief operations officer. “Our technology is enabling an improved method for validating the knowledge of osteopathic physicians applying for licensure, and protecting the well-being of their patients. Delivery through Thomson Prometric testing centers increases the security and flexibility for osteopathic physicians seeking a license to practice osteopathic medicine to test in any month of the year.”
The NBOME delivers more than 10,000 COMLEX-USA examinations annually. The computer-based COMLEX-USA program will begin with Level 2 starting July 2005.
About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (http://www.thomson.com/), with 2003 revenues from continuing operations of $7.44 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 38,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation’s common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC). Thomson Prometric (http://www.prometric.com/) is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services for academic, professional, government, corporate and information technology markets. Thomson Prometric delivers standardized tests for 300 clients, in 26 languages, over the Web or through a global network of testing centers in 134 countries. Based in Baltimore, Md., Thomson Prometric employs 3,000 employees worldwide.
About National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners
The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), with headquarters in Chicago, and a clinical skills testing center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide “for the public welfare a means to assess competency in the healthcare disciplines relevant to osteopathic medicine.” The NBOME was established in 1934, and has provided an evaluation instrument which is the primary pathway osteopathic physicians use to obtain medical licensure with full practice rights throughout the nation.
Over its 70 year history, the NBOME has sought to create a quality licensure examination that is reflective of osteopathic medical practice, philosophy and education. In 2004, the NBOME implemented a clinical skills assessment as part of the examination series to provide more information for regulatory authorities to assess physician competence. This examination is recognized in all 50 states for the medical licensure of osteopathic physicians.
The Thomson Corporation
CONTACT: Adam Gaber, Sr. Director, Public Relations of Thomson Learning,+1-203-539-8663, or Adam.Gaber@thomson.com