Certification

English Language Proficiency Test

The English language proficiency requirement for ECFMG Certification is designed to assess proficiency in the comprehension and use of the English language. Both foreign national and U.S. citizen applicants must pass the English language proficiency test. Passing performance on the English language proficiency test is valid for two years for the purpose of entering accredited U.S. programs of graduate medical education. Once expired, the English test pass date must be revalidated before applicants may enter such programs.

To fulfill the English language proficiency requirement for certification and to revalidate the English test pass date, applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language™ (TOEFL®), offered by the Educational Testing Service® (ETS®), and achieve a score acceptable to ECFMG.

At the applicant's request, ETS forwards the TOEFL score to ECFMG for evaluation. In 2002, ECFMG accepted 13,076 TOEFL scores.