The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is an organization that assesses the readiness of international medical graduates to enter residency or fellowship programs in the U.S. These programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).
International medical graduates make up a significant portion of the U.S. physician workforce and provide significant and necessary contributions to the industry. Certification by ECFMG is the standard regarding the evaluation of qualifications of international physicians before they can enter U.S. graduate medical education.
An international medical graduate is defined as a physician who received a basic medical degree outside of the U.S. or Canada. It is based on the location of medical school, rather than citizenship. This certification is also necessary for international medical graduates taking Step 3 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) and to obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S.
In order to obtain ECFMG Certification, physicians must demonstrate certain criteria. First, physicians must complete the Application for ECFMG Certification. Second, physicians must show passing performance on USMLE Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 3 Clinical Skills. Lastly, physicians must have primary-source verification of medical education credentials. The certification process actually begins when a physician requests a USMLE/ECFMG ID number.
If you have questions regarding ECFMG or other heath care immigration matters, please contact Berardi Immigration Law to speak with an attorney!
Tags: ECFMG, Medical Professional in US, Work in US, Healthcare Worker, Healthcare Worker in US, Healthcare and Immigration, US Immigration, US Immigration Layer, US Immigration Attorney
