The simple answer is: when you are ready! In general this does not occur before the mandatory review year, which is in the 6th year of your probationary period. At this time, your progress towards tenure must be formally evaluated by your division chief and chair. On rare occasions promotion maybe proposed before the mandatory review year, but accelerated promotion is generally reserved for really exceptional candidates. Specific criteria are considered for promotion with tenure on the basic science and physician scientist tracks. These are listed below. However, in practice you should talk to your division chief about this. As a backup, the DOM Committee on Appointments and Promotions (COAP), which meets monthly, will review your reappointment at Years 3, 5 and then annually thereafter. COAP will review the faculty members progress at this time, and if they determine that you are ready to be put up for promotion, they will communicate this directly with your division chief. Lastly, because the process takes about 12 months to complete, while exceptions can be made on occasion and with approval from your division chief and chair, it is recommended that you submit your promotion package at least a year before the end of your tenure clock.
General criteria for promotion: The main criteria for promotion are academic excellence. Depending on the track, quality and impact of scholarly contributions (e.g. ISI citation frequency and quality of journals), membership in honorary organizations (e.g. ASCI and AAP), significant contributions to professional organizations (study sections, editorial boards, leadership roles in academic societies, etc.), quality of clinical practice, leadership in and contributions to educational programs, teaching excellence and grants are the major elements underlying the COAP's recommendation. Letters from all referees who evaluate academic contributions are considered carefully. The COAP recognizes the highly individualized nature of academic careers and seeks to identify the unique contributions of each faculty member it reviews.
Areas for special consideration for promotion in the Basic or Physician-Scientist track: Candidates must have a national reputation for outstanding independent work in their area of scholarship. A series of excellent peer-reviewed articles in respected journals (as judged in part by numbers of citations and quality of journals in which published) should tell a coherent story about their research. The successful candidate will have several independent research grants, usually from the NIH, other federal institutions or nationally recognized foundations. Membership in elected research societies, contributions to professional organizations and societies, invited presentations at national meetings, and invited lectureships indicate the importance of the individual's research and his/her national reputation. A candidate should have a record of excellence in teaching medical and graduate students as well as house officers. Those who are involved in patient care are expected to be excellent clinicians.
In support of these achievements your application should show evidence of the following:
1) Having secured extramural research support as principal investigator (specifically having shown the ability to sustain independent funding to support your research program)
2) Publications: original investigations of high quality with additional consideration for reviews, books, chapters, or clinical observations. As a general guide 30+ publications with at least as 4-5 senior (or corresponding) author. This requirement varies with research area, so I suggest you talk to your division chief about this.
3) Election to honorary academic societies (ASCI/AAP) or recipient of other national awards; recognition in the planning for or participation in national and/or international meetings; service on national level peer review groups. Next to publications and research funding, this is probably the next most important consideration for promotion and something to think about as your progress through your probationary period.
4) Evidence of independent thinking and recognized accomplishments