Category: Step 2 CK

ECFMG On-line Services Unavailable March 15-17

Due to scheduled maintenance, ECFMG’s on-line services will be unavailable from approximately 4:00 p.m. on March 15, 2019 through approximately 5:00 p.m. on March 17, 2019. All times are calculated using Eastern Time in the United States.

During this maintenance period, you will be unable to access the following:

  • IWA—Interactive Web Applications
  • OASIS—On-line Applicant Status and Information System
  • Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling
  • IAN—IMG Advisors Network
  • EMSWP—ECFMG Medical School Web Portal, and its programs for medical schools and other institutions:
    • Status Verification
    • Credentials Verification
    • Performance Data
    • EMSWP ERAS
    • GEMxSM for Partner Institutions
  • CVS ON-LINE—Certification Verification Service On-line
  • EVNet—Exchange Visitor Network
  • EPICSM—Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials
    • Physician Portal
    • Report Portal
  • GEMx on-line services for students
  • MyECFMG mobile app

The World Directory of Medical Schools also will be unavailable during this maintenance period.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to maintain high-quality on-line services.

[Posted March 11, 2019. Updated March 18, 2019]

Step 2 CK – Delay in Score Reporting

Most score reporting of Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) results occurs within four weeks of testing. However, because of necessary modifications to the test item pool, there will be a delay in reporting for some examinees who test beginning the week of June 23, 2019.

The target date for reporting Step 2 CK scores for most examinees testing the week of June 23 through August 8 will be Wednesday, August 28, 2019. For examinees whose circumstances require that they receive Step 2 CK scores before August 28, 2019, it is recommended that they take the exam no later than June 24, 2019.

Although the transition will occur quickly at many test centers, there may be some locations where the changes take slightly longer to complete. The overall transition period will likely last approximately six weeks. Please note that scores on new and old exam forms will be comparable.

Examinees should monitor the USMLE website for the latest information.

New Score Report Format – USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Examinations

A redesigned version of the USMLE Step 3 examination score was implemented for examinees testing on or after October 1, 2018. The new format is now being implemented for the Step 1 and Step 2 CK examinations. Examinees taking Step 1 and Step 2 CK on or after January 15, 2019 will receive the new score report.

The redesigned report features a chart showing an examinee’s performance compared with recent first-time takers from U.S. and Canadian medical schools, the examinee’s performance in individual content areas relative to their overall Step examination performance, and information about the allocation of items across each content area.

You can view the new score report on the USMLE website here. Click on the comment boxes for explanatory/informational text. FAQs about the score report are also available on the USMLE website.

The USMLE program solicited feedback on the new design from a number of stakeholders, including examinees, medical school faculty, and residency program directors.

A new score report format for the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination is under development.

Questions or comments? Please send them to the USMLE program via the web form located here.

Examinees should monitor the USMLE website for the latest information.

ECFMG On-line Services Unavailable January 19

Due to scheduled maintenance, ECFMG’s on-line services will be unavailable from approximately 12:00 a.m. through approximately 5:00 p.m. on January 19, 2019. All times are calculated using Eastern Time in the United States.

During this maintenance period, you will be unable to access the following:

  • IWA—Interactive Web Applications
  • OASIS—On-line Applicant Status and Information System
  • Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling
  • IAN—IMG Advisors Network
  • EMSWP—ECFMG Medical School Web Portal, and its programs for medical schools and other institutions:
    • Status Verification
    • Credentials Verification
    • Performance Data
    • EMSWP ERAS
    • GEMxSM for Partner Institutions
  • CVS ON-LINE—Certification Verification Service On-line
  • EVNet—Exchange Visitor Network
  • EPICSM—Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials
    • Physician Portal
    • Report Portal
  • GEMx on-line services for students
  • MyECFMG mobile app

The World Directory of Medical Schools also will be unavailable during this maintenance period.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to maintain high-quality on-line services.

Fee Increases for 2019

Effective January 1, 2019, fees for the following ECFMG applications/service requests will increase:

  • The fee for Application for ECFMG Certification will be $135.
  • The examination fees for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) will be $940 for each exam registration.
  • The examination fee for Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) will be $1,580 for each exam registration.
  • The fee for an extension of eligibility period for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK will be $80.
  • The fee for a change of testing region for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK will be $75.
  • The fee for rescheduling a Step 2 CS testing appointment will be 0-$1,290 (depending on date of cancellation).
  • The fee for a Certification Verification Service (CVS) request will be $50.
  • The fee for an application for J-1 visa sponsorship will be $340.

The new fees will be assessed for all applications/requests submitted to ECFMG on or after January 1, 2019 (Eastern Time in the United States).

For more information on the fees associated with applying for ECFMG Certification and for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS, refer to the ECFMG 2019 Information Booklet and the Fees page of the ECFMG website.

USMLE Score Reporting Schedule

USMLE scores will be released as regularly scheduled on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) score reports only will be released on Wednesday, December 26, 2018.

Regularly scheduled score reporting for all USMLE exams will resume Wednesday, January 2, 2019.

Examinees should monitor the USMLE website for the latest information.

ECFMG On-line Services Unavailable November 17

Due to scheduled maintenance, ECFMG’s on-line services will be unavailable from approximately 12:00 a.m. through approximately 5:00 p.m. on November 17, 2018. All times are calculated using Eastern Time in the United States.

During this maintenance period, you will be unable to access the following:

  • IWA—Interactive Web Applications
  • OASIS—On-line Applicant Status and Information System
  • Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling
  • IAN—IMG Advisors Network
  • EMSWP—ECFMG Medical School Web Portal, and its programs for medical schools and other institutions:
    • Status Verification
    • Credentials Verification
    • Performance Data
    • EMSWP ERAS
    • GEMxSM for Partner Institutions
  • CVS ON-LINE—Certification Verification Service On-line
  • EVNet—Exchange Visitor Network
  • EPICSM—Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials
    • Physician Portal
    • Report Portal
  • GEMx on-line services for students
  • MyECFMG mobile app

The World Directory of Medical Schools also will be unavailable during this maintenance period.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to maintain high-quality on-line services.

ECFMG On-line Services Unavailable October 20

Due to scheduled maintenance, ECFMG’s on-line services will be unavailable from approximately 12:00 a.m. through approximately 5:00 p.m. on October 20, 2018. All times are calculated using Eastern Time in the United States.

During this maintenance period, you will be unable to access the following:

  • IWA—Interactive Web Applications
  • OASIS—On-line Applicant Status and Information System
  • Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling
  • IAN—IMG Advisors Network
  • EMSWP—ECFMG Medical School Web Portal, and its programs for medical schools and other institutions:
    • Status Verification
    • Credentials Verification
    • Performance Data
    • EMSWP ERAS
    • GEMxSM for Partner Institutions
  • CVS ON-LINE—Certification Verification Service On-line
  • EVNet—Exchange Visitor Network
  • EPICSM—Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials
    • Physician Portal
    • Report Portal
  • GEMx on-line services for students
  • MyECFMG mobile app

The World Directory of Medical Schools also will be unavailable during this maintenance period.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to maintain high-quality on-line services.

Step 1 and Step 2 CK – Score Delays in 2019

Most Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores are reported within four weeks of testing. However, because of necessary annual modifications to the test item pools, delays occur for examinees who test at certain times of the year. Please be aware that examinees testing during the following dates may experience delays in score reporting:

  • Step 1 examinees testing early May through early July 2019 – more specific information will be posted January 2019
  • Step 2 CK examinees testing late June through late August 2019 – more specific information will be posted March 2019

Examinees are encouraged to read the full announcement on the USMLE website.

2019 Information Booklet on ECFMG Certification and Application Materials Now Available

ECFMG’s 2019 Information Booklet on ECFMG Certification and the 2019 exam application materials are now available on the ECFMG website.

For Step 1/Step 2 CK, you can use the 2019 materials to apply for:

  • available Step 1/Step 2 CK eligibility periods ending in 2018 (September 2018-November 2018 and October 2018-December 2018) and
  • all Step 1/Step 2 CK eligibility periods ending in 2019, beginning with the November 2018-January 2019 eligibility period.

For Step 2 CS, you can use the 2019 materials to obtain a 12-month eligibility period that begins on the date that the processing of your application is completed.

Please monitor the ECFMG website, and follow ECFMG on Facebook and Twitter, for updates and important information.

(posted August 9, 2018, updated September 14, 2018)