2002 Highlights

Review of J-1 Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Issues

In 2002, two issues involving sponsorship of J-1 physicians in clinical training were the subject of a series of meetings and discussions involving the U.S. Department of State, interested medical organizations, academic medical centers, and ECFMG. At issue were:

• Sponsorship of J-1 exchange visitor physicians in clinical training programs not independently accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), but directly associated with ACGME programs, and
• Sponsorship of J-1 physicians in clinical programs whose length exceeds that of the accredited length for the specialty.

At the suggestion of the Department of State, which administers the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, ECFMG initiated discussion of these issues with representatives of the Department of State, ACGME, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies, and academic medical centers.

It was agreed that, effective July 1, 2003, there would be three pathways for ECFMG J-1 sponsorship:

1. Programs accredited by ACGME,
2. Programs within a specialty or subspecialty where the appropriate Specialty Board of ABMS offers a certificate, and
3. Programs within a subspecialty "recognized" by an appropriate Board of ABMS as evidenced by a letter from the CEO of that Board. A number of additional requirements that would apply to this pathway were identified.

Regarding sponsorship of J-1 physicians in clinical programs whose length exceeds the ACGME-accredited length, it was agreed that sponsorship by ECFMG would continue to be limited to accredited length. It was noted that ongoing review of the number of work hours appropriate for residents might have an impact on this issue. Furthermore, it was noted that ACGME currently has a mechanism in place for specialties and subspecialties to seek an increase in their accredited length.

ECFMG was pleased to facilitate the successful conclusion of these discussions, and to hear in this context, that these organizations strongly support the intent of the J-1 visa and the ECFMG Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program.

For more information on ECFMG sponsorship of foreign national physicians, refer to Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program.