The ECFMG Policy on Transfer Credits details the requirements for credits transferred to and accepted by the medical school that awards the medical degree for international medical graduates (IMGs) applying for ECFMG Certification. Transfer credits must meet the requirements of the policy in order to meet the medical education credential requirements for ECFMG Certification. Please continue reading for information regarding the Policy on Transfer Credits and on a recent change to the policy.
As indicated in the Policy on Transfer Credits, IMGs applying for ECFMG Certification are required to disclose and document transfer credits when applying to ECFMG for examination. In addition, the policy lists the following criteria for transferred credits to be acceptable:
- All credits must have been transferred from a medical school that is either:
- located in the United States or Canada and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (World Directory), or
- listed in the World Directory with an ECFMG Sponsor Note stating it meets ECFMG eligibility requirements.
- Credits must be for courses that were passed at the medical school at which the course was taken.
- Credits may only be transferred from one medical school to the medical school which awards the final degree.
What Has Changed
The criteria for transfer credits no longer apply for applicants who graduate (or will graduate) from a medical school that meets the requirements of Intealth’s Recognized Accreditation Policy.
Medical schools currently accredited by an agency recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) or the National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) satisfy the requirements of the Recognized Accreditation Policy at this time.
What Has Not Changed
Applicants who graduate (or will graduate) from a medical school that meets the requirements of the Recognized Accreditation Policy must meet all requirements for ECFMG Certification and must disclose their complete education history, including any transfer credit information, when applying to ECFMG for examination and when otherwise requested by ECFMG. The school that awards the applicant’s medical degree must have an ECFMG Sponsor Note in its listing in the World Directory indicating that its students and graduates are eligible to apply for ECFMG Certification and for examination.
Credits transferred to the medical school that awards the applicant’s medical degree must meet the criteria detailed in ECFMG’s Policy on Transfer Credits if the school does not meet the requirements of the Recognized Accreditation Policy.
How To Determine Whether a School Meets the Requirements of the Recognized Accreditation Policy
To determine whether a school meets the requirements of the Recognized Accreditation Policy, visit the World Directory of Medical Schools and search for the school. If the medical school currently meets the requirements for its students and graduates to be eligible to apply for ECFMG Certification and examination, and meets the requirements of the Recognized Accreditation Policy, a note indicating that the school meets the requirements of the policy will be included on the Sponsor Notes tab of the school’s listing below the school’s ECFMG Sponsor Note.
