Issue 150 - February 19, 2010
USMLE Eligibility Period Extension Fee Waiver Discontinued, Effective June 1, 2010
Beginning in April 2009, the sponsors of the USMLE program agreed, in response to concerns about the spread of pandemic novel H1N1 influenza, to waive their fees for eligibility period extensions. This temporary fee waiver was intended to give examinees flexibility in scheduling examinations during the influenza outbreak. Since that time, the USMLE program has continued to monitor the situation for any significant changes in the course of the pandemic that might warrant further action in order to protect the health of examinees, staff, and the general public. Recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization indicate that the overall incidence of novel H1N1 influenza has declined in almost every region in the world. Flu activity is relatively low at this time. The USMLE program has reviewed this information and agreed to discontinue the temporary fee waiver for eligibility period extensions.
Therefore, applications for eligibility period extensions received after May 31, 2010 will require payment of the eligibility period extension fee. In addition, examinees will be subject to the eligibility period extension restrictions in place prior to April 2009 (i.e., examinees will be permitted only one, three-month eligibility period extension, contiguous with the original eligibility period). The fee and restrictions apply to both already registered examinees as well as examinees who will register in the future.
If you have any questions, please contact ECFMG by phone at (215) 386-5900 or by e-mail at info@ecfmg.org.
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or believe you may have been recently exposed to an influenza patient, you should reschedule your examination.
