ECFMG Certification
Residency Training
The Match
ERAS Application
Useful Websites
To work or train as a Doctor in the US, you will need to gain ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduate) Certification. To become State Licensed and eventually Board Certified in the US you will need to complete a Residency Training Program. Residency Training Programs are in one Specialty and upon completion allow you to work in any State at any Hospital. To gain ECFMG Certification you will need to take the USMLE Step 1, 2CK & 3 exams. To gain State Licensure you'll need to pass the USMLE Step 3 exam.
Download a Kaplan USMLE Brochure to get more information about the USMLE Exams, US Residency & Kaplan Prep Options
ECFMG Certification
To work or train in the US as an International Medical Graduate you will need to have ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) Certification.
The ECFMG are the body that certifies that International Medical Graduates have the necessary qualifications to work or train in the US. As there are a huge number of Medical Schools and Programs internationally, with different standards and expectations, the ECFMG says that an applicant has the necessary qualifications to meet US standards.
To gain ECFMG Certification, you will first need to register with the ECFMG to gain an ECFMG "Token". You will need to submit a Form 186 (Identification Form), signed by a Dean or Notary Service. You will need to submit your Medical School details and Graduation Date. It is important that you check with the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) beforehand to check that your Medical School and Graduation Date appear, if not, you'll be unable to apply for certification.
You will need to have the following to apply for ECFMG Certification:
| ECFMG Certification - Requirements |
| Medical Diploma |
| Medical School Diploma Transcripts in English |
| USMLE Step 1 passing score |
| USMLE Step 2CK passing score |
| USMLE Step 2CS passing score |
To apply for ECFMG Certification visit www.ecfmg.org.
You must have ECFMG Certification before you start your Residency. You can be in the process of gain Certification when you are applying for Residency and still enter the match.
Residency Training
To gain State Licensure and Board Certification in the US, you will need to complete a Residency Training Program. This is an initial training program in a particular Specialty. Residency Programs last for between 3 and 6 years depending on the Program.
To apply for US Residency it is likely you will apply to the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP - www.nrmp.org). This is by far the biggest pool of Accredited US Residency Programs. It matches over 20,000 applicants to Programs each year.
If you are interested in a particular Specialty, you may apply to the SF Match (San Francisco Match - www.sfmatch.org). This match is for Child Neurology, Neurotology, Ophthalmology & Plastic Surgery. Alternatively many Urology Programs are available to apply through the Urology Match (www.urologymatch.com).
Certain Specialties are far less competitive for International Medical Graduates:
| Popular Specialties for International Medical Graduates |
| Internal Medicine |
| Family Practice |
| Pediatrics |
| Surgery |
| Psychiatry |
The "Match"
To gain a Residency Training Program, you will need to take part in the "Match". This takes place in the March of every year. To apply for the Match you will need to complete an Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application. This is a common application form completed by the applicant. The ERAS application allows you to apply for up to 4 specialties, with four different applications.
The Match is a computer system that matches applicants with Residency Training Programs based on a Rank Order List submitted both by applicants and the Programs.
Application Timeline:
| "Match" Application Timeline | |
| June | Research Programs and compile lists of possible Programs to apply for |
| July | myERAS Application Opens |
| July/August | Start to compile information in your myERAS application, collecting Letters of Recommendation and writing Personal Statements |
| September | From September you can send off your applications to Residency Programs. We recommend you do this as soon as possible to be competitive |
| October/November | Interview season. Remember to research your programs, you will be ranked based on your interview. Be sure to impress! |
| February | Submit Rank Order Lists. You and your Program will both submit a Rank Order List, you will rank your programs from top to bottom, and Programs will do the same. |
| March | The Match takes place, Matched and Unmatched candidates and Programs are released. |
| March | Post-Match Scramble |
ERAS Application
You will need to apply for Residency Training using the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). This is an online common application form used to apply for Residency Training Programs.
You will apply for a myERAS account where you can compile all of your details. You will need to upload:
Your CV
Letters of Recommendation (most Programs require 4 LoR)
Personal Statement (Specialty Specific)
Programs you wish to apply for
You will be charged depending on the number of Programs you apply for.
| Number of Programs | Price |
| Up to 10 | $65 |
| 11-20 | $8 each |
| 21-30 | $15 each |
| 31 or more | $25 each |
Useful Websites
ECFMG: Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates www.ecfmg.org
ERAS: Electronic Residency Application Service www.aamc.org/students/eras
AAMC: Association of American Medical Colleges www.aamc.org
NRMP: National Residency Matching Program www.nrmp.org
SF (San Francisco) Matchwww.sfmatch.org
Urology Matchwww.urologymatch.com