The ECFMG Certificate

This sounds straightforward but can be unexpectedly time consuming. The ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) certificate is a document proving that you have fulfilled the education requirements needed to practice medicine in the USA.

The Necessary components are to have

1. your medical degree and transcript verified by ECFMG (can take a long time)

2. passed USMLE 1 and 2ck

3. passed the clinical skills assessment (or step 2cs)

4. passed a TOEFL English examination (or step 2cs)

5. paid ECFMG in full

All of these components must be valid at the time when you apply for final certification. This certificate testifies to the fact that you have fulfilled the requirements for entry into clinical training in the USA.

Remember that the ECFMG certificate is only valid as long as its components (eg USMLE step 1) remain valid; each component has an expiry date. Your ECFMG certificate must be VALID when you apply for a visa or start your training. The english examination component expires after two years. Remember that if you have to revalidate your english test, the results of a repeat english examination will take some time to be processed to revalidate your certificate (this delayed my visa application).

Recent ECFMG News

Certification
- Important Announcement for State Licensing Boards Concerning CSA Performance History for International Medical Students or Graduates (JUL 30, 2004)
- Important Changes to Standard ECFMG Certificate (JUN 14, 2004)

Step 1
- Web-Based Self-Assessment Services for Basic and Clinical Science Content (JAN 13, 2005)
- USMLE Test Delivery Software (JUL 13, 2004)
- Official Score of Record for Examinees Retaking a Previously Passed Step (MAY 26, 2004)

Step 2 CK
- Web-Based Self-Assessment Services for Basic and Clinical Science Content (JAN 13, 2005)

Step 2 CS
- Changes to Step 2 CS Rescheduling Fees Allow Early Scheduling, Greater Flexibility in Changing Testing Appointments (JUN 22, 2005)

- IMGs Participating in the 2006 Match Must Take Step 2 CS as Early as Possible (APR 22, 2005)
- Preliminary Summary of Results for USMLE Step 2 CS Released by USMLE Program (MAR 22, 2005)
- Step 2 CS Scheduling Restrictions Lifted for Test Dates Through June 2005 (MAR 18, 2005)
- Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) Scheduling for 2005 Test Dates (MAR 18, 2005)
- Update on Availability of Step 2 CS Results (FEB 25, 2005)
- IMGs Participating in 2006 Match Must Take Step 2 CS as Early as Possible (FEB 7, 2005)
- IMGs Should Apply for Step 2 CS as Soon as Possible - Eligibility Requirements Have Changed (JAN 20, 2005)
- Important Information on Your Clinical Skills Examination History and Eligibility for USMLE Step 3 (DEC 20, 2004)