DMU Podiatric Students Exceed National Average on Licensing Exam

Two classes from Des Moines University College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery have exceeded national averages on the American Podiatric Medical Licensing Examination. Compared to the national passing average of 83%, 95% of DMU's CPMS students pass the exam. The APMLE consists of four parts to assess whether a candidate has the knowledge required to practice as a minimally competent entry-level podiatric physician and determine if the candidate's knowledge and clinical skills are adequate for safe, unsupervised practice.

The CPMS Class of 2025 had a pass rate of 96% on Part II of the exam when the national average was 83%. Part II is a written exam that looks at the candidate's knowledge in the clinical areas of medicine, radiology, orthopedics, biomechanics and sports medicine, anesthesia and surgery, community health, jurisprudence and research.

The CPMS Class of 2026 had a pass rate of 100% on Part I of the exam when the national average was 83.7%. Part I of the exam looks at the candidate's knowledge in the basic science areas of general anatomy, including embryology, histology, genetics and geriatrics, lower extremity anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and immunology, pathology and pharmacology.

"This achievement by our students reflects their dedication, the excellence of our faculty and the strength of our curriculum at DMU," says Kevin Smith, D.P.M.'95, dean of CPMS. "Their success on the APMLE speaks to their hard work and preparedness for the profession."