Steps for ECFMG Registration

Posted on by dannysouped

Related Post

How to Apply for ECFMG Certification: Steps for ECFMG Registration

If you are an international medical graduate or a foreign medical graduate and planning to apply for USA residency, you’ll have to participate on the USMLE exam. In this article, we are going to provide guideline for the whole process.

In order to apply for USMLE, you have to register with ECFMG. To register with ECFMG, you have to follow some steps. First of all you have to check whether or not your medical school is listed in IMED; if your medical school is not listed, you have to inform your school as soon as possible. If you want to check the IMED list, visit this link: https://www.faimer.org/resources/world-directory.html.

It is necessary to read all the eligibility requirements prior to applying for ECFMG. Information regarding this is available in link- ECFMG 2016 Information Booklet – Examination Requirements.

Step 1: USMLE ID

If you are new and going to apply for USMLE for the first time, you have to start with obtaining an USMLE Identification Number, also called as USMLE ID; apparently also known as ECFMG ID. To obtain this ID, you have to go to this website- https://secure2.ecfmg.org/usmleidrequest/usmleidrequestnavigator.aspx

After going to the website, provide you name, email, address and other necessary information required. Then they will send you your ECFMG ID (which is an 8 digit number) and also a password to access their online service via your mail. Be patient and wait for one week for the ID and password; if you don’t get it within one week (check your junk or spam folder too), then contact with them. Their contact number is: +1 (215) 386 5900.

You have to keep safe your USMLE ID, because this for your personal use forever.

Step 2: IWA Application (Interactive Web Application)

Whenever you are going to log onto the IWA (https://iwa2.ecfmg.org) website, you have to make sure about certain things. These are:

  • Make sure your internet access will not be interrupted, it is live and continuous (any type of interruption can be disastrous).
  • Make sure your printer is working and ready to print with enough paper.

You can log on to IWA and start your application process by using your ECFMG ID and password.

After successfully logging in, you have to fill out the online application form (be cautious about filling out the form). Make sure that you understand each and every question and answer them correctly. If at any point you get stuck with a question or you are not sure about the answer, save your application and log out from the system, and you can answer the question at a later time. You will also be asked about printing some application forms, which you have to fill out by yourself and send via postal mail to ECFMG.

Step 3: Forms

You’ll have to attach Form 345 for the purpose of checking the documents.

Form 345 is a medical school release request that means you are allowing ECFMG to get your information from your medical school.

Form 183 and/or Form 186 are the forms to make sure ECFMG that your name and your photo is valid and also the signature you provided is actually yours. These forms may require to be signed by your medical school officials and/or by a notary public. You can get details information about these forms by visiting this link- http://www.usmle-forums.com/ecfmg-forum/7242-complete-guide-ecfmg-forms.html.

Step 4: Documents

The documents that you will be required with these forms are-

  • Your medical school certificate (Translate, if it is not in English).
  • Two recent passport size photographs of yours.
  • Some other documents may also be needed, like documents related to your credit transfer.

 

Step 5: Sending the forms and documents

After you collect and fill out all the documents and forms, you’ll have to send them to ECFMG Philadelphia office to the address given to you in the forms during the online application.

Step 6: Wait for the confirmation

ECFMG will notify you via email and by postal mail that they have received your forms and documents. After that they will send forms to your medical school for verifying the medical school credentials and will also request for your final medical school transcript (If you are a graduate).

Step 7: ECFMG to Medical School Forms

These are the forms to which you will not have any access. And you are not allowed to send these to your school; ECFMG will send them. They will send a copy of your 345 form you filled out, which allowed them to ask about you.

They will also send your certificate and ask your school to verify it. Some other forms they will be sending are these –

  • what was the requirements before you entered the school
  • how many weeks of medical education you completed
  • what degree was awarded (if you are a graduate)
  • asking to verifying the attached diploma
  • dean or other authorized registration officer’s signature, date, and name
  • any interruptions or extensions in your medical education
  • any disciplinary probation you had or currently have
  • any professional misconduct that you have during your school years
  • any negative reports about you in the school
  • any limitations or special requirements by you

 

Step 8: Medical School to ECFMG

Now this time your medical school has to respond to these forms and they should also send your final medical school transcript (if not in English, you’ll have to pay the translation fee). After these steps, the last two steps may take several months, but if your medical school has participated in the ECFMG Medical School Web Portal, then it will take only few days.

Step 9- OASIS

After finishing the step 7 and 8 you can now check your status by visiting OASIS website. The username and password are the same as ECFMG. OASIS link is- https://secure2.ecfmg.org/emain.asp?app=oasis

After logging on to the webpage, look on the left side of the panel, and click on the button “Medical Education Credentials and Standard ECFMG Certificate”. If your status is “Medical education credentials received and verified”, it’s time to be happy. Any other status means you are not done yet.

Step 10- Apply

After receiving the verified status now you can apply for steps you would like to buy using IWA or OASIS. You have to pay the fees at this point. Fees and other requirements are listed on the webpage- ECFMG | Selected Fees.

  • Remember you are about to apply for an eligibility period, but not for any exact exam date.
  • The eligibility periods are 3 months except the CS, which is 12 months.

 

Step 11- Scheduling Permit

If you are finished applying online, you will get a scheduling permit with permission confirmation number and exam registration ID. You should print out the permission confirmation number and exam registration ID.

(Remember you don’t have to wait for any orange slips via email or mail as you had to wait before)

Step 12- Prometric

After you receive a confirmation email and mail from ECFMG about your application status (Scheduling permit), you can now visit prometric website and choose your exam date. This is the link: Prometric website Prometric Services: Testing and Assessment

Posted in IMG