The requirements for ECFMG Certification include passing examinations in the medical sciences, clinical skills, and communications skills. Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) are the exams currently administered that satisfy the medical science examination requirement.
Prior to its suspension by the USMLE program in early 2020, the former USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam was the exam that satisfied the clinical and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification.
In response to the suspension and subsequent discontinuation of Step 2 CS by the USMLE program, ECFMG|FAIMER has offered pathways to allow international medical graduates (IMGs) to meet the clinical and communication skills requirements.
ECFMG|FAIMER first offered the pathways to IMGs participating in the 2021 Match and is continuing and expanding the pathways for IMGs participating in the 2022 Match.
The pathways allow ECFMG Certification to continue to perform its critical function of providing assurance to the public and U.S. graduate medical education (GME) programs that IMGs are ready to enter supervised training.
They also allow qualified IMGs to continue to pursue ECFMG Certification and to compete for positions in U.S. GME.
In addition pathway applicants also must meet all requirements for the pathway to which they apply.
Detailed eligibility requirements and application instructions for each of the following pathways will be published as they become available.
Important Note: Applicants who failed Step 2 CS one or more times must apply through Pathway 6 regardless of whether they meet the eligibility requirements for other Pathways.
ECFMG will consider exceptions to certain pathway eligibility requirements for limited and specific reasons.
The on-line application process for Pathways 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 is expected to open in April 2021.
The on-line application process for Pathway 6 is expected to open in July 2021.
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