Addendum: This policy has been revised effective 4/3/2026.
All successful applicants and enrolled students are required to meet the technical standards for the D.O. program.
Consistent with Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act and PL 11-336, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 19903, the University requires that admitted applicants and enrolled students meet minimum technical standards to be accepted into and remain enrolled in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) program.
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the following terms and phrases are defined as:
- COCA: Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation
- DO Program: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program
- Fitness for Duty (FFD): the ability to meet the program’s Technical Standards to safely and effectively perform the program’s essential functions.
- Fitness evaluation / Fitness for Duty evaluation: an assessment by an external and independent healthcare professional to evaluate and determine whether a student can safely, consistently, securely, and effectively perform the program’s essential functions.
- Evaluator: an external healthcare professional or professionals who is not a member of CHSU faculty or staff and who is licensed to practice in the State of California. This may apply to a single evaluator or multiple evaluators.
The DO Program at CHSU is rigorous and challenging. It requires enrolled students to possess specific characteristics and abilities within the cognitive, affective, communicative, and psychomotor domains, which are referred to in this Policy as Technical Standards. An admitted applicant or enrolled student must be able to combine the functional use of visual, auditory, and somatic senses to observe and demonstrate professional knowledge and skills presented in the classroom, laboratories, and practice settings.
Conferring the D.O. degree on a student graduating from the COM indicates that each student has demonstrated that they have acquired and can apply the knowledge and professional skills essential to the roles and functions of a practicing physician.
The acquisition and application of these skills help to ensure the safety of patients served by the student and physician. Therefore, each student must be able to demonstrate proficiency in these skills with or without reasonable accommodation. Students must possess the skills identified in these Technical Standards in order to successfully complete the academic/curricular requirements for the D.O. degree.
The University reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who cannot meet the Technical Standards as set forth below, with reasonable accommodation, as determined by the application process, interview and student disclosure. Every applicant is considered without regard to disability. Applicants are not required to disclose the nature of their disability(-ies), if any, to the Admissions Committee. Any applicant with questions about these Technical Standards is strongly encouraged to discuss their specific issue(s) with COM Student Affairs prior to the interview process.
Once admitted to the D.O. Program, students are expected to maintain proficiency in the Technical Standards and demonstrate them through their coursework, interaction with peers and faculty, and in their professional applied learning experiences. Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities will be considered on an individual basis. The University may require that students who fail to demonstrate competence in the Technical Standards while in the D.O. Program be evaluated (described in the Student Fitness for Duty section below). Based on the outcome of that evaluation, the University may take appropriate action (e.g., remediation, counseling, suspension, leave of absence, and/or dismissal). The expected competency in the Technical Standards skills is separate from academic achievement. Simply maintaining a passing GPA is not sufficient to prevent a student who does not meet the Technical Skills from being dismissed from the DO Program. Furthermore, the College of Osteopathic Medicine reserves the right to dismiss students who either fail to disclose information relevant to their qualifications under the Technical Standards or fall out of compliance with the Technical Standards after admission.
Observation
An osteopathic medical student must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand, noting nonverbal as well as verbal signals. The student must be able to observe and interpret presented information. Specific vision-related requirements include but are not limited to the following abilities: visualizing and discriminating findings on monitoring tests, imaging, and physical exams; reading written and illustrated material; discriminating numbers and patterns associated with diagnostic and monitoring instruments, medical imaging, and tests; reading information on a computer screen and small print on packages or package inserts; distinguishing shapes, colors, markings, and other characteristics of small objects. Observation requires not only the functional use of the sense of vision, but other sensory modalities as well such as hearing and other somatic senses. For example, observation can be enhanced in some situations by the use of the sense of smell.
Communication
An osteopathic medical student must be able to speak, hear, and observe patients, other health care professionals, team members, telephone or computer audio, and overhead announcements in order to extract both verbal and non-verbal information, and must be able to communicate effectively with and about patients. Communication (in English) includes speech, reading, writing and computer literacy. The student must be able to perceive and respond appropriately to all types of communication (verbal, non-verbal, written) with faculty, staff, peers, patients, caregivers, family of patients, the public, and all members of the health care and educational teams. Specific requirements include, but are not limited to, the following abilities; reading, writing, speaking and comprehending English with sufficient mastery to accomplish didactic, clinical and laboratory curricular requirements in a timely, professional and accurate manner; eliciting a thorough medical history; and communicating complex findings in appropriate terms that are understood by patients, caregivers, and members of the healthcare team.
Each student must be able to read and record observations and care plans legibly, efficiently, and accurately through handwriting and/or computerized input. Students must be able to prepare and communicate concise but complete summaries of individual activities, decisions, and encounters with patients. Students must be able to complete forms and appropriately document activities according to directions in a complete and timely fashion.
Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function
Osteopathic medical students must have sufficient motor function to elicit information by inspection, palpation, auscultation, percussion, as well as other diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers.
Basic laboratory skills to accomplish basic practice tasks utilizing both gross and fine motor skills, include but are not limited to: being able to perform basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC, blood glucose testing, etc.), carry out diagnostic procedures (endoscopy, ultrasound, paracentesis, etc.) as well as read and interpret EKGs, X-rays and ultrasound images. Other motor activities include performing a full clinical physical examination, osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment, documentation, suturing, blood draws, obtain intravenous access, administer first aid and/or cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the clinical setting. Students must be able to transport themselves to off-site clinical settings in a timely manner. Osteopathic medical students must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care, osteopathic manipulation treatments, and emergency treatments to patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of physicians are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, administration of intravenous, intramuscular, and/or subcutaneous medication, application of pressure to stop bleeding, opening of obstructed airways, the Heimlich maneuver, performance of basic obstetric maneuvers. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, the ability to stand and equilibrium with the functional use of the senses of touch and vision. Students must be able to lift a minimum of forty (40) lbs., stand for a minimum of one hour, and tolerate change in temperature and lighting that may be anticipated in clinical settings.
Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities
A student must possess sufficient intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities to complete a rigorous and intense didactic and experiential curriculum.
Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, students must be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. They must be able to sit in a classroom and participate in a full eight-hour day. Clinical rotations may require shifts or on-call responsibilities of 24 hours or longer. Accordingly, osteopathic medical students must demonstrate the physical and mental resilience to function effectively across all clinical service hours, including variable schedules of alternating day, evening, and overnight shifts.
The practice of medicine requires periods of distinct concentration in surgery, trauma, emergency care, and other patient settings. Osteopathic medical students must be capable of extended periods of intense concentration and attention.
Osteopathic medical students must be able to retain and recall critical information in an efficient and timely manner. Students must be able to identify and acknowledge the limits of their knowledge and abilities to others when appropriate and be able to recognize when the limits of their knowledge indicate further study or investigation before making a decision. Students must be able to interpret graphs or charts describing biologic, economic, or outcome relationships. They must be able to learn through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction, small group activities, individual study, preparation and presentation of reports, and use of computer technology. Students are expected to be fully alert and attentive at all times in classroom and clinical settings.
Behavioral and Social Attributes
Students must possess the physical and emotional health required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, compassion, the prompt completion of all responsibilities of an osteopathic medical student and those responsibilities attendant to the care of patients, The student physician must develop effective, respectful relationships with patients. Students must adapt to changing environments and possess coping mechanisms to respond appropriately to continue functioning in the face of challenges and uncertainties inherent in academic and clinical environments. Qualities and characteristics that will be assessed during the admission and education process are compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation. Students must recognize and display respect for differences in culture, values, and ethics among patients, faculty, peers, clinical and administrative staff and colleagues. Students must be able to identify and demonstrate appropriate behavior to protect the safety and well-being of self, patients, faculty, peers, clinical and administrative staff, and colleagues. Students must also be able to handle situations appropriately and professionally when those situations may be physically, emotionally, or intellectually stressful, including those situations that must be handled promptly and calmly. At times, this will require the ability to be aware of and appropriately react to one's own immediate emotional responses and environment.
Ethical Values
A successful applicant and enrolled student must demonstrate a professional demeanor, conduct and behavior that are appropriate to their standing in the professional degree program. This includes compliance with the administrative rules applicable to the profession of osteopathic medicine and the rules set by the College of Osteopathic Medicine and CHSU. Under all circumstances, students must protect the confidentiality of any and all patient information in their professional and personal communications. Students must meet the ethical standards set forth in the profession of osteopathic medicine. Reference Student Conduct and Professionalism Policy.
Osteopathic Skills Labs and Physical Diagnosis Laboratory Policies
All lab courses that include but are not limited to osteopathic manipulative medicine. osteopathic principles and practices, and osteopathic manipulative techniques, and physical diagnosis/clinical skills courses include demonstrations, practical laboratory experiences and clinical opportunities. These courses require the active participation of all students in the group setting where students, through the active and tactile examination of others along with participating as the subject for osteopathic clinical diagnosis and osteopathic manipulative medicine techniques, will learn and demonstrate the ability to evaluate and proficiently treat future patients.
Osteopathic physicians utilize palpation (clinically appropriate touching) as part of the osteopathic approach to treatment. As part of the educational process, CHSU-COM students must be able to tolerate being touched, examined and receiving osteopathic diagnosis and treatment by members of all genders, and to touch others (of all genders and body types) in order to acquire the skills necessary for palpation and examination. This palpation is performed in a professional and appropriate manner in a safe learning environment.
Applicants must identify to the COM Office of Admissions all areas where there are questions regarding a student’s ability to meet these technical standards. Applicants who have questions about their ability to meet the minimum technical standards are required to notify the Office of Admissions in advance of applying so that reasonable testing and evaluation may occur. Current students must identify concerns to the Office of Student Affairs.
As graduates from the College of Osteopathic Medicine, students have the ability to apply for licensure as a physician in all fifty states of the United States. The license is not restricted to any one gender, and therefore Osteopathic medicine students must demonstrate the ability to practice medicine on all genders.
In addition, students must be able to pass the requisite criminal background check, drug tests/screens, immunization/tests, and trainings required by, California law and clinical clerkship sites.
Student Fitness for Duty
To ensure students maintain the physical and mental capabilities required by the technical standards, CHSU has established the following procedures for evaluating a Student’s Fitness for Duty.
Fitness Evaluation
If the Office of Student Affairs determines, based on the COM Technical Standards stated above, that a student may not meet the required standards, the student may be required to undergo a Fitness for Duty Evaluation (FFD) by qualified external healthcare professionals. These healthcare professionals have no role in the student’s education at CHSU. The evaluations will be paid for by CHSU on the student’s behalf.
The student must cooperate with the evaluation process. Failure to cooperate may result in restrictions or other academic actions recommended by the Student Progress Committee or a University official based on the Office of Student Affairs’ recommendations.
To protect student privacy, the Evaluator must submit the FFD report to CHSU confidentially. FFD reports and related medical records will be maintained as confidential in accordance with applicable privacy laws and CHSU policies.
Reporting/Notice
Faculty, staff, students, or clinical partners who reasonably believe a student may not be fit for duty must report their concerns to Office of Student Affairs or to the person designated by the Office of Student Affairs. Reports should be factual and, when possible, documented. A student may self-report.
After receiving a report from (Office of Student Affairs or designated person), the student must receive a thorough evaluation, which shall include, at a minimum, communication with the student and any person that the student may authorize to receive communications.
The communication will include, but not be limited to, written notice regarding the report (including the supporting documentation) within 14 calendar days of the University’s receipt of the report. The student shall be given 14 calendar days to respond in writing to Office of Student Affairs).
If the Office of Student Affairs) determines based on the information provided to it that the student must undergo a FFD, a written notice will be sent to the student within 14 calendar days of such determination.
Interim Actions
If there is an immediate need and there is a reasonable and articulable risk to patient or campus safety, the Office of Student Affairs may impose interim restrictions pending further evaluation. The Office of Student Affairs) must notify the student in writing within 7 calendar days of its decision which may include but is not limited to a requirement for the student to undergo a FFD.
Decision
The student shall have the opportunity to attend a meeting of the SPC before a decision is made. Following receipt and a thorough evaluation of the FFD report, the information provided by the student, and any other pertinent documents, the Student Progress Committee (SPC) shall make a recommendation to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, who may accept or decline the SPC’s recommendation. The Associate Dean will inform the student in writing within 14 calendar days. A decision may include remediation, counseling, dismissal, or other measures deemed appropriate.
Disability Accommodations
CHSU will engage in a good faith interactive process to consider reasonable accommodations for the student in accordance with applicable law.