Publications
Programs Overview
ECFMG offers a variety of programs for international physicians and other members of the international medical education and regulatory communities. An overview of each program is available below. For detailed information, visit the program’s section of this website.
ECFMG Certification
ECFMG’s program of certification assesses whether international medical graduates are ready to enter U.S. graduate medical education programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). ECFMG Certification is a requirement for international medical graduates who wish to enter such programs. ECFMG Certification assures directors of accredited residency and fellowship programs, and the people of the United States, that international medical graduates have met minimum standards of eligibility.
Certification Verification Service (CVS)
ECFMG’s Certification Verification Service provides prompt, primary-source verification of an international medical graduate’s ECFMG certification status. ECFMG’s CVS provides this verification to entities in the United States that rely on ECFMG Certification to evaluate the qualifications of international physicians. These entities include credentialing agencies; accredited residency programs; state medical licensing boards; and other organizations, such as hospitals and HMOs.
ERAS Support Services at ECFMG
The Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®), developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), allows web-based application to first- and second-year (PGY-1 and PGY-2) residency positions in accredited U.S. programs of graduate medical education. ECFMG has been designated by AAMC to assist international medical students and graduates with the ERAS process. In this role, ECFMG issues ERAS Tokens, which allow international medical students/graduates to complete their residency applications on the AAMC website. ECFMG also collects and transmits supporting documents and transmits reports of ECFMG certification status and USMLE transcripts.
Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program (J-1 visa)
ECFMG is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor foreign national physicians for the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa for the purpose of participating in U.S. programs of graduate medical education or training. ECFMG is responsible for ensuring that Exchange Visitors and their host institutions meet the federal requirements for participation in the Exchange Visitor Program. ECFMG’s Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program provides instruction and guidance to teaching hospitals, medical specialty organizations, universities, and international physicians on the credential and immigration requirements for J-1 visa sponsorship.
ECFMG International Credentials Services (EICS)
EICS assists international medical registration authorities in obtaining primary-source verification of medical education and registration credentials of physicians applying for licensure whose medical education or training was completed outside the authorities’ jurisdiction. The physician credentials verified by EICS include medical school diplomas, medical school transcripts, certificates of postgraduate medical training, and certificates of medical registration or licensure.
Acculturation Program
ECFMG’s Acculturation Program offers a variety of resources for international medical students and graduates who plan to enter U.S. graduate medical education programs and for the directors and staff of these programs. The program’s resources assist IMGs with the transition to living and working in the United States and with orienting IMGs to the U.S. health care system. All resources are available on this website.