General

• ECFMG Policy on Forfeiture of Funds (JUN 24, 2010)
• Preparing for the ERAS 2011 Application Season (JUN 11, 2010)
• Sharing or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (MAY 7, 2010)
• Important Announcement Regarding Fifth Pathway Certificates and USMLE Step 3 (MAY 4, 2010)
• IMG Performance in the 2010 Match (MAR 31, 2010)
• Earthquake in Haiti (JAN 27, 2010)
• ECFMG, FSMB, and NBME to Co-host IAMRA 2010 Conference (JAN 25, 2010)
• ECFMG’s IMG Advisors Network Expanding – New Advisors Needed (DEC 3, 2009)
• ECFMG to Provide International Medical Schools with USMLE Performance Data on Their Students/Graduates (NOV 2, 2009)
• On-line Posting or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (SEP 11, 2009)
• Alert Regarding Optima Test Prep (JUL 29, 2009)
• An Announcement Regarding Fraudulent Letters of Recommendation (SEP 30, 2008)
• AAMC Service for Applicants Seeking Residency Positions (MAR 14, 2007)

Certification

• Important Announcement Regarding Fifth Pathway Certificates and USMLE Step 3 (MAY 4, 2010)
• Reminder: All Applicants Must Document Transfer Credits When Applying for Examination (JUL 16, 2009)
• Reminder: Time Limit for Completing Examination Requirements for ECFMG Certification (APR 23, 2009)
• An Announcement Regarding Fraudulent Letters of Recommendation (SEP 30, 2008)
• AAMC Service for Applicants Seeking Residency Positions (MAR 14, 2007)
• Important Announcement for State Licensing Boards Concerning CSA Performance History for International Medical Students or Graduates (JUL 30, 2004)
• Important Changes to Standard ECFMG Certificate (JUN 14, 2004)
• Important Announcement for State Licensing Boards Concerning Changes to Standard ECFMG Certificate (MAY 18, 2004)
• Important Announcement for Program Directors Concerning Changes to Standard ECFMG Certificate (MAR 26, 2004)

Step 1

• Comprehensive Review of USMLE (CRU) (JUN 30, 2010)
• Sharing or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (MAY 7, 2010)
• Reduction in Number of Step 1 Items Presented Without a Clinical Vignette; Updated Step 1 Practice Items Available (APR 21, 2010)
• Step 1 - Change in Number of Items/Delay in Score Reporting (MAR 24, 2010)
• USMLE Eligibility Period Extension Fee Waiver Discontinued, Effective June 1, 2010 (FEB 19, 2010)
• Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 1 (DEC 10, 2009)
• ECFMG to Provide International Medical Schools with USMLE Performance Data on Their Students/Graduates (NOV 2, 2009)
• NBME^® Self-Assessments with Expanded Feedback (OCT 20, 2009)
• On-line Posting or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (SEP 11, 2009)
• Alert Regarding Optima Test Prep (JUL 29, 2009)
• Reminder: All Applicants Must Document Transfer Credits When Applying for Examination (JUL 16, 2009)
• Information about USMLE and Influenza (JUN 16, 2009)
• Reminder: Time Limit for Completing Examination Requirements for ECFMG Certification (APR 23, 2009)
• NBME Self-Assessments for Individuals Planning to Take Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 (AUG 26, 2008)

Step 2 CK

• Comprehensive Review of USMLE (CRU) (JUN 30, 2010)
• Delay in USMLE Step 2 CK Score Reporting (JUN 29, 2010)
• Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 2 CK (JUN 17, 2010)
• Sharing or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (MAY 7, 2010)
• The Step 2 Committee Is Scheduled to Assess the Minimum Passing Score for the USMLE Step 2 CK Examination at its Meeting on June 9, 2010 (MAY 3, 2010)
• USMLE Eligibility Period Extension Fee Waiver Discontinued, Effective June 1, 2010 (FEB 19, 2010)
• ECFMG to Provide International Medical Schools with USMLE Performance Data on Their Students/Graduates (NOV 2, 2009)
• NBME^® Self-Assessments with Expanded Feedback (OCT 20, 2009)
• On-line Posting or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (SEP 11, 2009)
• Alert Regarding Optima Test Prep (JUL 29, 2009)
• Reminder: All Applicants Must Document Transfer Credits When Applying for Examination (JUL 16, 2009)
• Information about USMLE and Influenza (JUN 16, 2009)
• Reminder: Time Limit for Completing Examination Requirements for ECFMG Certification (APR 23, 2009)
• NBME Self-Assessments for Individuals Planning to Take Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 (AUG 26, 2008)

Step 2 CS

• Comprehensive Review of USMLE (CRU) (JUN 30, 2010)
• 2010 and 2011 Schedules for Reporting Step 2 CS Results (MAY 26, 2010)
• IMGs Participating in 2011 Match Should Apply for Step 2 CS Now (MAY 21, 2010)
• Sharing or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (MAY 7, 2010)
• Expanded Testing Capacity at Philadelphia CSEC Center Beginning in July 2010 (MAY 5, 2010)
• Step 2 CS Examinees Will Be Required to Type Patient Notes on a Computer Beginning mid-2011 (MAR 24, 2010)
• IMGs Participating in 2011 Match Should Apply for Step 2 CS Now (JAN 25, 2010)
• ECFMG to Provide International Medical Schools with USMLE Performance Data on Their Students/Graduates (NOV 2, 2009)
• On-line Posting or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior (SEP 11, 2009)
• Reminder: All Applicants Must Document Transfer Credits When Applying for Examination (JUL 16, 2009)
• Information about USMLE and Influenza (JUN 16, 2009)
• Reminder: Time Limit for Completing Examination Requirements for ECFMG Certification (APR 23, 2009)
• Important Information for Step 2 CS Registrants Attempting to Schedule or Reschedule a Testing Appointment (DEC 7, 2006)
• Step 2 CS Rescheduling Policy Allows Early Scheduling, Flexibility in Changing Testing Appointments (DEC 7, 2006)
• Step 2 CS Scheduling Restrictions (DEC 7, 2006)
• Important Information on Your Clinical Skills Examination History and Eligibility for USMLE Step 3 (DEC 20, 2004)

Sincerely,
Recent AUC Graduate

Expanded Testing Capacity at Philadelphia CSEC Center Beginning in July 2010

Beginning in July 2010, the Philadelphia Clinical Skills Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) Center will have expanded capacity to deliver Step 2 CS examinations. Additional testing sessions will be held in an adjacent building located at 3700 Market Street. Examinees who schedule a testing appointment at the Philadelphia CSEC Center will be assigned to either the existing or new location. The confirmation notice that examinees receive after scheduling will indicate to which address the examinee should report for his/her testing session.

The confirmation notice will read either:

Important Announcement Regarding Fifth Pathway Certificates and USMLE Step 3

Currently, the USMLE program accepts either a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate or a valid Fifth Pathway certificate (issued through December 31, 2009) from international medical graduates for purposes of meeting Step 3 eligibility requirements. The governing committee of the USMLE program and the USMLE parent organizations (the Federation of State Medical Boards and the National Board of Medical Examiners) have determined that the USMLE program will cease acceptance of Fifth Pathway certificates for the purpose of meeting Step 3 eligibility requirements, effective January 1, 2017. Individuals who hold valid Fifth Pathway certificates, and are otherwise eligible, may use their Fifth Pathway certificates to meet Step 3 eligibility requirements, and may apply for Step 3, through December 31, 2016.

Individuals holding Fifth Pathway certificates that are not accepted by the USMLE program for purposes of meeting Step 3 eligibility will be required to obtain ECFMG certification in order to be eligible for Step 3.

If you hold a valid Fifth Pathway certificate but have not completed the full USMLE sequence, you should remain mindful of the December 31, 2016 deadline, after which use of your Fifth Pathway certificate to meet Step 3 eligibility requirements will not be permitted.

Information on Step 3 eligibility requirements is found at the USMLE website.

About the Fifth Pathway

The Fifth Pathway, created by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1971, has allowed certain students who attended four years at an international medical school to complete their supervised clinical work at a U.S. medical school, to become eligible for entry to U.S. residency training, and ultimately to obtain a license to practice in the United States.

Individuals who pursued the Fifth Pathway completed the four-year didactic curriculum at the international medical school, but they did not complete the internship and/or social service requirement for graduation. Instead, they completed a Fifth Pathway program, which was one year of supervised clinical work at a U.S. medical school. Since they did not complete the internship and/or social service requirement, they did not receive the final medical diploma, and, therefore, are not eligible for ECFMG Certification.

The AMA’s Council on Medical Education has withdrawn its support of the Fifth Pathway as a mechanism for eligibility to enter the first year of ACGME-accredited graduate medical education programs. The last Fifth Pathway program class supported was the January 2009 entering class, which ended in December 2009.

The Step 2 Committee Is Scheduled to Assess the Minimum Passing Score for the USMLE Step 2 CK Examination at its Meeting on June 9, 2010

The Step 2 Committee is scheduled to assess the minimum passing score for the USMLE Step 2 CK examination at its meeting on June 9, 2010. If the Committee determines that a change is appropriate, the new recommended minimum passing score will become effective for all examinees who take a Step 2 CK examination on or after July 1, 2010.

View full announcement.

Reduction in Number of Step 1 Items Presented Without a Clinical Vignette; Updated Step 1 Practice Items Available

Most examinees who take a Step 1 examination after May 15, 2010 will see fewer items presented in a non-clinical vignette format. Step 1 practice items available on the USMLE website have been updated to reflect this change.

View full announcement.

IMG Performance in the 2010 Match

For the eighth consecutive year, the number of first-year (PGY-1) residency positions offered through the Match increased. A total of 22,809 first-year positions were offered in the 2010 Match, held earlier this month. This represents an increase of 382 positions compared to last year and an increase of more than 2,200 positions since 2002.

The number of IMGs, including Fifth Pathway participants, who matched to first-year positions decreased by 110 compared to 2009. Of the 11,048 IMGs who participated in the 2010 Match, 4,686 (42.4%) matched. In the 2009 Match, 4,796 (43.7%) IMGs were matched to first-year positions.

Of the 7,246 IMG participants who were not U.S. citizens, 2,881 (39.8%) obtained first-year positions. The number of non-U.S. citizen IMGs who obtained positions in 2010 decreased by 231 compared to last year.

Of the 3,695 U.S. citizen IMG participants, 1,749 (47.3%) were matched to first-year positions, an increase of 130 over last year. This is the seventh consecutive year that there has been an increase in the number of U.S. citizen IMGs matching to first-year positions.

Of the 107 Fifth Pathway participants in the Match, 56 (52.3%) were matched to first-year positions, a decrease of 9 from last year.

It is important to note that the total number of IMGs, including Fifth Pathway participants, who will fill PGY-1 positions for the 2010-2011 academic year will be higher than the number obtaining positions through the 2010 Match. Although the majority of PGY-1 positions in the United States are filled through the Match, a significant number of IMG applicants obtain positions outside of the Match. For example, while 4,698 IMGs obtained PGY-1 positions through the 2008 Match, 7,276 IMGs entered PGY-1 for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The 7,276 IMGs entering PGY-1 for the 2008-2009 academic year is an increase of 51 over the prior year and an increase of 1,203 since the 2002-2003 academic year.

About the Match

The annual NRMP Match is the system by which applicants are matched with available residency positions in U.S. programs of graduate medical education (GME). Participants submit to the NRMP a list of residency programs, in order of preference. Ranked lists of preferred residency candidates are likewise submitted by U.S. GME programs with available positions. The matching of applicants to available positions is performed by computer algorithm. The Match results announced in March of each year are typically for GME programs beginning the following July.

Additional Resources on the Match and Match Results

The preceding data are taken from the Advance Data Tables for the 2010 Main Residency Match compiled by the NRMP. These tables provide detailed information on the positions offered and filled by the Match in 2010 and prior years. To access these tables, or to obtain further information on the NRMP, visit www.nrmp.org.

The June issue of Academic Medicine, the journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges, usually offers an analysis of Match results from the preceding March. For more information, visit your medical school's library or www.academicmedicine.org.

The September issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association traditionally provides an in-depth analysis of graduate medical education in the United States. This analysis includes the number of IMGs entering and continuing in U.S. GME programs and a breakdown of IMG resident physicians by specialty and subspecialty. Visit your medical school’s library or http://jama.ama-assn.org.

Step 1 - Change in Number of Items/Delay in Score Reporting

Starting on or around May 15, 2010, a transition period will begin in which the number of items in current forms of the Step 1 examination will change from 336 items to 322 items. Because of this change, as well as routine modifications to the test item pool, there will be a delay in score reporting for most Step 1 examinations administered in late May and June. The target date for reporting Step 1 scores for most examinees testing from May 15 through late June will be Wednesday, July 14, 2010.

View full announcement.

Step 2 CS Examinees Will Be Required to Type Patient Notes on a Computer Beginning mid-2011

Currently, examinees taking the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination can handwrite or type (on a computer) the patient note that is completed after each patient encounter. Beginning in mid-2011, all examinees taking the Step 2 CS examination will be required to type the patient note.

View full announcement.

USMLE Eligibility Period Extension Fee Waiver Discontinued, Effective June 1, 2010

Beginning in April 2009, the sponsors of the USMLE program agreed, in response to concerns about the spread of pandemic novel H1N1 influenza, to waive their fees for eligibility period extensions. This temporary fee waiver was intended to give examinees flexibility in scheduling examinations during the influenza outbreak. Since that time, the USMLE program has continued to monitor the situation for any significant changes in the course of the pandemic that might warrant further action in order to protect the health of examinees, staff, and the general public. Recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization indicate that the overall incidence of novel H1N1 influenza has declined in almost every region in the world. Flu activity is relatively low at this time. The USMLE program has reviewed this information and agreed to discontinue the temporary fee waiver for eligibility period extensions.

Therefore, applications for eligibility period extensions received after May 31, 2010 will require payment of the eligibility period extension fee. In addition, examinees will be subject to the eligibility period extension restrictions in place prior to April 2009 (i.e., examinees will be permitted only one, three-month eligibility period extension, contiguous with the original eligibility period). The fee and restrictions apply to both already registered examinees as well as examinees who will register in the future.

If you have any questions, please contact ECFMG by phone at (215) 386-5900 or by e-mail at info@ecfmg.org.

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or believe you may have been recently exposed to an influenza patient, you should reschedule your examination.

Earthquake in Haiti

ECFMG joins other organizations and individuals in expressing sympathy for those affected by the earthquake in Haiti. As a member of the international medical education community, ECFMG applauds the efforts of the many health professionals who continue to care for survivors.

ECFMG is supporting a number of initiatives, organized by staff volunteers, to collect staff donations of funds as well as much-needed personal items. It is our hope that these efforts, combined with contributions from so many others, will help to meet the urgent needs of the people of Haiti and aid in their recovery.

Several of ECFMG’s organizational members have responded to the crisis by organizing efforts to facilitate donations, volunteers, and the sharing of information and resources. For more information, visit their Haitian earthquake response web pages:

• American Medical Association
• Association of American Medical Colleges
• Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc.
• National Medical Association

Haitian applicants for ECFMG’s programs and services who require assistance are encouraged to contact Applicant Information Services by phone at (215) 386-5900 (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Eastern Time in the United States, Monday through Friday), or by e-mail at info@ecfmg.org.

IMGs Participating in 2011 Match Should Apply for Step 2 CS Now

International medical students/graduates and graduates of Fifth Pathway programs who plan to participate in the 2011 Match (in March 2011) are reminded that they must take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2010. As published in the 2010 Step 2 Clinical Skills Schedule for Reporting Results, if you do not take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2010, your result will not be available in time to participate in the 2011 Match.

If you need to pass Step 2 CS to participate in the 2011 Match, you are strongly encouraged to apply for Step 2 CS now. If you do not register early and schedule a test date as soon as possible, you may not be able to obtain a test date in 2010.

At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any test center was in April 2010. It is expected that demand for testing appointments in the period from July through December will be even higher in 2010 than in past years. Additionally, test sessions at all test centers may be subject to scheduling restrictions that may limit the number of test dates available to you.

To maximize your chances of obtaining a test date in 2010,

• Apply for Step 2 CS now, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
• Once registered, schedule your testing appointment as soon as possible. Scheduling conditions are expected to be most favorable from April through June.

Early registration and scheduling may offer a number of benefits. If you plan to apply for Step 2 CS, you should consider the following:

• All Step 2 CS sessions are opened 12-13 months in advance.
• Applicants registered for Step 2 CS can schedule and take the exam during the 12-month eligibility period that follows their registration. By registering early, applicants increase the likelihood they will be able to obtain a testing appointment for a preferred date/test center.
• Applicants who schedule a testing appointment can change the testing appointment without cost, provided they give more than 14 days’ notice. See Rescheduling in the ECFMG Information Booklet.
• Applicants who take Step 2 CS earlier in the year and receive a failing result are more likely to have the opportunity to retake the exam in 2010 and receive their result in time to participate in the 2011 Match.

Updated information on Step 2 CS scheduling will be posted to the ECFMG website as it becomes available. Individuals planning to take Step 2 CS should monitor the ECFMG and USMLE websites for the latest information.

ECFMG, FSMB, and NBME to Co-host IAMRA 2010 Conference

The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG^®), the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. (FSMB), and the National Board of Medical Examiners^® (NBME^®) are partnering to co-host the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities’ (IAMRA) 9th Biennial Conference on Medical Regulation. The conference will be held September 26–29, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. The first in IAMRA’s series of conferences on Best Practices in Medical Regulation, IAMRA 2010 will be a results-driven event that will begin to define best practices in three important content areas:

• Registration and Licensure,
• Complaints and Resolutions, and
• Quality Assurance (Currency of Competence/Maintenance of Licensure).

The host organizations have developed a conference program that will allow participants to learn from subject matter experts and from each other, acquiring knowledge and principles that can be customized to their individual needs. The program has been designed to ensure relevance to all participants, regardless of their level of expertise, resources, or the current status of their regulatory processes and infrastructure. High-engagement activities will allow participants to play an active role in developing solutions and to establish professional relationships that can support their work after the conference.

After IAMRA 2010, work will continue to refine the principles developed during the conference, with the goal of presenting the results for review and adoption by IAMRA at its next conference on Best Practices in 2012. As a result, participants in IAMRA 2010 will be at the beginning of an exciting new process that will shape the future of medical regulation.

For more detailed information on the conference, IAMRA, and the host organizations, visit the official conference website. Please check the website frequently, as additional details will be posted as they become available.

Change in Minimum Passing Requirements for Step 1

As stated in the USMLE Bulletin of Information, the level of proficiency required to meet the recommended minimum passing level for each USMLE Step examination is reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time. As a result of such a review for USMLE Step 1, the Step 1 Committee decided to raise the three-digit score recommended to pass Step 1 from 185 to 188. The new minimum passing score will be applied to Step 1 examinations for which the first day of testing is on or after January 1, 2010.

View full announcement.

ECFMG’s IMG Advisors Network Expanding – New Advisors Needed

ECFMG is currently seeking international medical graduates (IMGs) to serve on a voluntary basis as advisors for the IMG Advisors Network (IAN). This unique resource connects qualifying IMGs who plan to enter U.S. graduate medical education (GME) with advisors who may be able to answer many of their questions about applying for GME positions as well as living and working in the United States.

To qualify as an advisor, you must:

• be certified by ECFMG,
• either be in or have completed training in an ACGME-accredited program in the United States,
• be licensed to practice medicine (training or permanent license) in at least one state or jurisdiction in the United States,
• have ready access to e-mail, and
• be willing to reply to inquiries from advisees in an honest and timely manner.

The personal experience and first-hand exposure to the challenges of entering a residency program and living and working in the United States make individuals who meet these requirements uniquely qualified to provide practical advice and information.

Advisors will be listed in the on-line IAN database by name, medical specialty, U.S. GME program, location in the United States, country of origin, medical school, and other demographics. IMGs who meet certain criteria and register with the IAN program will be able to search the IAN database for the advisors most likely to be helpful in providing information and advice about relocating to the United States. Ideal advisors might be those in the same residency program or from the same country or medical school, but even less specific matches could be of great help. Advisors are provided with the e-mail addresses of the advisees who have selected them so they can begin communicating directly with the advisees via e-mail; these communications are not visible to or monitored by ECFMG unless the advisor or advisee so chooses.

Since the start of the IAN program in early 2007, most advisors have had only one or two advisees and exchanged only a few e-mails, so the advisor role has not placed excessive demand on advisors’ time. Although it is not possible to estimate how often advisors and advisees might correspond or how much time the advisor role will take on an ongoing basis, advisors are able to limit the number of advisees they accept and have the option of declining to serve as an advisor for an individual advisee. Advisors can have their names removed from the IAN database if they so choose.

Recently, the eligibility criteria for IMGs to participate in IAN as advisees were expanded to include IMGs who are participating in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) 2010 and who also have registered with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for the 2010 Match. This expanded eligibility may significantly increase the number of advisees seeking advice prior to entering programs in 2010. In order to better serve this larger group of advisees, ECFMG is hoping to increase the number of advisors in the IAN program.

If you are interested in becoming an IAN advisor or would like to learn if you are eligible to participate in IAN as an advisee, you can obtain more information by visiting the IAN homepage.

ECFMG to Provide International Medical Schools with USMLE Performance Data on Their Students/Graduates

ECFMG may provide international medical schools with data on the performance of their students and graduates who apply to ECFMG for USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK), and USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS). This applies to all exam administrations for which an examinee applies on or after November 2, 2009.

Data will be provided to medical schools electronically through the ECFMG Medical School Web Portal (EMSWP) and will include whether each examinee passed the exam administration, and, for Step 1 and Step 2 CK, the examinee’s numerical score on both two-digit and three-digit scales.

Examinees have the option to have their exam results withheld from their medical school. To have exam results withheld from his/her medical school, the examinee must submit a request through ECFMG’s Interactive Web Application (IWA).

To view information on ECFMG’s practices regarding the provision of these data to international medical schools and the process by which examinees can request to have their exam results withheld from their medical school, click here.

Beginning in early 2010, ECFMG expects to start providing medical schools with aggregate USMLE performance data on their students/graduates. Aggregate data will be provided on an annual basis to medical schools that provide ECFMG with certain information relating to their student body, curriculum, and educational programs. The information provided by schools will be used by ECFMG’s foundation, the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), in its on-going efforts to develop data resources on medical education programs throughout the world.

International medical schools have long expressed interest in obtaining USMLE performance data on their students/graduates, and we expect these opportunities to obtain such data to be mutually beneficial for the medical schools and ECFMG.

NBME^® Self-Assessments with Expanded Feedback

The National Board of Medical Examiners^® (NBME) offers web-based self-assessments to help medical students and graduates evaluate their readiness for the computer-based components of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). The content of the Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA) resembles the content of USMLE Step 1, while the content of the Comprehensive Clinical Science Self-Assessment (CCSSA) resembles the content of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK).

The NBME is pleased to announce that it now provides expanded feedback for one form of the CBSSA and one form of the CCSSA. In addition to the performance profile and score interpretation guide available with all forms, the expanded feedback also shows the number of items answered incorrectly by content category, the average amount of time spent on each incorrect item, and the percentage of incorrect items marked during the assessment. The feedback also provides the capability to review the text of the incorrect items. The fee for expanded feedback forms is $60.00; the fee for standard forms is $45.00.

For complete information, to view a sample assessment, or to purchase an assessment, visit the NBME Self-Assessment Services website.

On-line Posting or Discussion of USMLE Content Constitutes Irregular Behavior

If you post or discuss United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) examination content via the Internet, you will be in violation of the USMLE Rules of Conduct, as outlined in the USMLE Bulletin of Information. Examination content includes, but may not be limited to, questions, case content, and answers.

The Bulletin specifically advises that, “you will maintain the confidentiality of the materials, including the multiple-choice items, and the case content for Step 2 CS and Primum CCS. You will not reproduce or attempt to reproduce examination materials through memorization or any other means. Also, you will not provide information relating to examination content that may give or attempt to give unfair advantage to individuals who may be taking the examination. This includes postings regarding examination content and/or answers on the Internet.”

The USMLE program continuously monitors Internet forums and chat rooms. Examinees who post information about examination content are identified and referred to the USMLE Committee on Irregular Behavior. If the Committee finds that you posted examination content, your scores may be delayed and you may be subject to the following sanctions:

• Permanent annotation of your USMLE transcript (such annotations will read “Irregular Behavior/Security Violation” and will be seen by any entity that receives your transcript, i.e., residency training programs, state licensing authorities, etc.);
• A report to the Federation of State Medical Boards Board Action Databank (a central repository for formal actions taken against physicians and available to licensing and disciplinary boards, the military, governmental and private agencies, and organizations involved in the employment and/or credentialing of physicians);
• A bar from taking future administrations of USMLE.

A determination of irregular behavior can put your medical career in jeopardy. Do not endanger your career: Do not post information from exams you have taken and do not solicit others to provide such information.

For more information, refer to Testing Regulations and Rules of Conduct and Irregular Behavior in the USMLE Bulletin of Information, available on the USMLE website.

Important Announcement from the USMLE Program

Alert Regarding Optima Test Prep

A USMLE test preparation company that operates under the name “Optima University” has been sued, along with its owner, Eihab Suliman, by the National Board of Medical Examiners and the Federation of State Medical Boards for using test preparation materials that were obtained illegally. An announcement about the lawsuit was posted previously to the USMLE website.

Individuals who attended Optima's programs or are considering doing so risk having their USMLE scores delayed and/or classified as indeterminate. They may also be subject to other consequences, including charges of irregular behavior, as a result of their participation. The USMLE will post further updates concerning this matter to the USMLE website.

Reminder: All Applicants Must Document Transfer Credits When Applying for Examination

Applicants are reminded that they are required to disclose and document all transfer credits when they apply to ECFMG for examination, regardless of when the credits were earned. Failure to disclose and document these credits may have a number of negative consequences, including delaying exam registration and certification by ECFMG. Such delays may prevent you from starting a residency program. Additionally, failure to disclose and document these credits may result in a finding of irregular behavior. See Irregular Behavior in the ECFMG Information Booklet.

Transfer credits are credits earned for a course taken at one institution (such as a medical school) that are accepted by another medical school toward meeting its degree requirements. For example, a student attends a medical school for one year and earns credits for 12 courses. The student transfers to another medical school, which accepts the credits for those 12 courses toward meeting its degree requirements. The credits for those 12 courses are then referred to as transfer credits. The applicant must inform ECFMG of these transfer credits at the time of application.

Additionally, there are restrictions on transfer credits that can be used to meet ECFMG’s certification requirement that an applicant must have been awarded credit for at least four credit years (academic years for which credit has been given toward completion of the medical curriculum) by a medical school that is listed in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED). For the purpose of ECFMG Certification, credits earned on or after January 1, 2008 that are transferred to the medical school that awarded or will award an applicant’s medical degree must meet all of the following criteria:

• Credits must be transferred from one IMED-listed medical school to another IMED-listed medical school.
• Credits must be for courses taken at one medical school within seven years of the date of graduation at the medical school that accepts the transferred courses.
• Credits must be for courses that were passed at the medical school at which the course was taken.

Applicants whose transferred credits do not comply with the policy outlined above will not meet the requirements to be registered by ECFMG for examination or the requirements for ECFMG Certification. Applicants whose transferred credits do not meet all the criteria listed above may request an exception from the ECFMG Medical Education Credentials Committee.

See Credentials for Exam Registration in the ECFMG Information Booklet for instructions on how to submit transcripts to document transfer credits.

Information about USMLE and Influenza

The World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic influenza alert is at phase 6. The Composite Committee and USMLE parent organizations continue to monitor the situation closely and are prepared to take appropriate measures as warranted to protect the health and safety of examinees and the public. As noted previously, USMLE examinees planning to test in the near future, who have concerns about their ability to test safely, may reschedule USMLE computer-based testing appointments or Clinical Skills appointments. In most instances, examinees should be able to use the standard procedures to make changes, without additional fees, by following procedures described in the USMLE Bulletin of Information.

While the pandemic influenza alert is at WHO phase 6, concerned examinees who would like to receive an eligibility period extension for an upcoming Step examination can do so, without additional fees, by contacting ECFMG by phone at (215) 386-5900 or by e-mail at info@ecfmg.org to explain the circumstances. This waiver of the eligibility period extension fee will be in effect while the WHO influenza alert remains at phase 6. Examinees should monitor the USMLE and ECFMG websites for any change to this fee waiver.

The USMLE program continues to monitor this situation closely for any significant changes that might result in a need to suspend the USMLE program until testing can be safely resumed. Please be sure to monitor the USMLE and ECFMG websites for updates to this announcement. Of course, if you personally are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or believe that you may have been recently exposed to an influenza patient, you should reschedule your examination.

Reminder: Time Limit for Completing Examination Requirements for ECFMG Certification

ECFMG would like to remind applicants that they are required to pass those United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Steps and Step Components required for ECFMG Certification within a seven-year period. This means that once an applicant passes a Step or Step Component, the applicant will have seven years to pass the other Step(s) or Step Component(s) required for ECFMG Certification. (For complete information on the examination requirements for ECFMG Certification, see Examination Requirements in the ECFMG Information Booklet.)

This seven-year period begins on the exam date for the first Step or Step Component passed and ends exactly seven years from this exam date. If an applicant does not pass all required Steps and Step Components within a maximum of seven years, the applicant’s earliest USMLE passing performance will no longer be valid for ECFMG Certification.

Example: An applicant took his first Step or Step Component on October 1, 2006 and passed. The applicant has through October 1, 2013 to take and pass all other Step(s) and Step Component(s) required for ECFMG Certification. If he does not take and pass all other required Step(s) and Step Component(s) on or before October 1, 2013, his passing performance on the October 1, 2006 exam would no longer be valid for ECFMG Certification.

This seven-year limit does not apply to the former ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) because the CSA was not a USMLE Step or Step Component. Applicants who satisfied the clinical skills requirement for ECFMG Certification by passing the CSA are required to pass only Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) within a seven-year period for ECFMG Certification. For these applicants, the seven-year period begins on the exam date for the first USMLE Step or Step Component passed, regardless of when the CSA was passed.

On June 14, 2004, USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) became a requirement for ECFMG Certification, replacing the ECFMG CSA as the exam that satisfies the clinical skills requirement. As part of the USMLE, Step 2 CS may be subject to the seven-year time limit for ECFMG Certification as described below:

• If an applicant’s earliest USMLE passing performance that is valid for ECFMG Certification took place on or after June 14, 2004, the applicant is required to pass Step 1, Step 2 CK, and, if required for ECFMG Certification, Step 2 CS within a seven-year period for ECFMG Certification.


• If an applicant’s earliest USMLE passing performance that is valid for ECFMG Certification took place before June 14, 2004, the applicant is required to pass only Step 1 and Step 2 CK within a seven-year period for ECFMG Certification; if required for ECFMG Certification, Step 2 CS can be passed outside the seven-year period.

The policies outlined above apply only to ECFMG Certification. The USMLE program recommends to U.S. state medical licensing authorities that they require applicants to pass the full USMLE sequence (including Step 3, which is not required for ECFMG Certification) within a seven-year period. See Time Limit and Number of Attempts Allowed to Complete All Steps and Retakes in the USMLE Bulletin of Information.

Many state medical licensing authorities accept the USMLE recommendation, but some do not. You should contact the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc., (FSMB) for general information and the medical licensing authority of the jurisdiction where you plan to apply for licensure for definitive information, since licensure requirements vary among jurisdictions.

Additionally, applicants who retake a previously passed Step or Step Component to comply with a time limit should understand the implications for Step 3 eligibility of a failing attempt on a retake. See Official Performance of Record for Examinees Retaking a Previously Passed Step in the USMLE Bulletin of Information.

An Announcement Regarding Fraudulent Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are reminded that the submission of fraudulent letters of recommendation to ECFMG constitutes irregular behavior, as defined by ECFMG.

View full announcement.

NBME® Self-Assessments for Individuals Planning to Take Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3

The National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) offers web-based self-assessments to help medical students and graduates evaluate their readiness for the computer-based components of the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®). Self-assessments are currently available for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3.

• The Comprehensive Basic Science Self-Assessment (CBSSA), which is built to the same content specifications as Step 1, covers material in basic science medical education courses. There are six unique CBSSA forms available, each featuring 200 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections.
• The Comprehensive Clinical Science Self-Assessment (CCSSA), which is built to the same content specifications as Step 2 CK, covers material in core clinical clerkships. There are four unique CCSSA forms available, each featuring 184 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections.
• The Comprehensive Clinical Medicine Self-Assessment (CCMSA), which is built to the same content specifications as the multiple-choice component of Step 3, features content that reflects patient-centered clinical encounters. There is one CCMSA form available, with 180 multiple-choice questions divided into five sections.

All questions have appeared previously in the USMLE, and no questions are duplicated across forms. Users can choose to take the self-assessments under two timing conditions: standard USMLE pacing or self-pacing. The assessments are available for $45.00 (USD) per form.

Users receive immediate performance feedback in the form of a performance profile showing content areas of strength and weakness. For the CBSSA (Step 1) and CCSSA (Step 2 CK), feedback also includes a table that “translates” the self-assessment score to an approximate score on the USMLE scale; this feature is not yet available for the CCMSA (Step 3).

For complete information, to view a sample assessment, or to purchase an assessment, visit the NBME Self-Assessment Services website.

AAMC Service for Applicants Seeking Residency Positions

Offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), FindAResident® is a web-based search tool for finding open residency and fellowship positions in a variety of accredited specialties.

Open year-round, FindAResident is an effective resource for residency candidates who:

• experienced an unsuccessful match through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) or post-Match Scramble,
• are looking for off-cycle positions or specialties not featured in ERAS, or
• want to change specialties, locations, or residency or fellowship programs.

By registering with this online service, candidates can post their resume, test scores, photo, curriculum vitae, and other pertinent information for programs to view. Users can also search a database of open training positions by post-graduate year level, specialty, and geographic preference. Programs are able to directly update vacancy information at any time, so the unfilled position information remains accurate and current.

FindAResident complements both the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP); it does not replace these services. FindAResident offers additional benefits to applicants participating in ERAS. ERAS participants can import information from their certified ERAS Common Application Form (CAF) directly into FindAResident.

Use of this service requires registration and a subscription fee; active ERAS users receive a discount on that fee. Subscriptions begin on the date of purchase and conclude at the end of the FindAResident season (September 14). For more information or to subscribe, visit FindAResident on the Web.

Important Information for Step 2 CS Registrants Attempting to Schedule or Reschedule a Testing Appointment

It has come to our attention that some Step 2 CS registrants have offered to exchange their scheduled testing appointments for those of other registrants who must take Step 2 CS by specific deadlines. The exchange of testing appointments between applicants is not consistent with the “first-come, first-served” basis on which Step 2 CS testing appointments are offered. It is also highly unlikely to be successful. If you are registered for Step 2 CS, you should know that:

• The Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling system does not allow an applicant to reserve his/her scheduled testing appointment for another applicant, nor does it allow the transfer of a testing appointment from one applicant to another. When an applicant cancels a scheduled appointment, the appointment returns to the pool of available testing appointments where it can be claimed by other registrants.
  
  
• At any given time, there are many applicants registered for Step 2 CS who may be attempting to schedule or reschedule testing appointments. It is common for appointments that become available to be claimed immediately by another applicant.
  
  
• The Step 2 CS Scheduling Email Notification System allows registered applicants to indicate their preferences for test dates and centers. When a testing appointment is canceled, all applicants participating in the email notification system who have expressed a preference for this date/center are notified immediately by email.

The best way for registered applicants to monitor the availability of testing appointments is to indicate their preferences for dates/centers using the pilot Step 2 CS Scheduling Email Notification System. To indicate your preferences, access Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling, and follow the link “Add/Edit Scheduling Email Notifications.”

For detailed information on policies and procedures related to Step 2 CS scheduling and rescheduling, refer to the ECFMG Information Booklet and USMLE Bulletin of Information.

Step 2 CS Rescheduling Policy Allows Early Scheduling, Flexibility in Changing Testing Appointments

There are no Step 2 CS rescheduling fees for applicants who cancel scheduled testing appointments more than 14 days before the scheduled test date. Rescheduling fees do apply to applicants who cancel within 14 days of their scheduled test date and those who miss their scheduled test date without canceling.

This policy allows applicants registered for Step 2 CS to schedule their testing appointments early, while retaining the flexibility to reschedule at no cost, with a minimal period of notice. Applicants are strongly encouraged to register early and schedule testing appointments for the earliest possible date. If you have registered or plan to register for Step 2 CS, you should be familiar with the requirements and fees associated with rescheduling a Step 2 CS testing appointment.

• If you cancel more than fourteen calendar days before (but not including) your scheduled test date, there is no fee to reschedule.
• If you cancel during the fourteen-day period before (but not including) your scheduled test date, your fee will be $150 when you reschedule.
• If you miss your scheduled testing appointment without canceling, your fee will be $400 when you reschedule.

Registered applicants can check which test dates are available to them at any time by accessing Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling. For complete information on Step 2 CS rescheduling policies, refer to Rescheduling in the ECFMG Information Booklet.

Step 2 CS Scheduling Restrictions

Demand for the Step 2 CS examination is expected to be heavy at all clinical skills evaluation centers at certain times throughout the year. The CS scheduling system is designed to handle the expected high volume, while maximizing the likelihood that most examinees can meet requirements and deadlines. This system also provides a representative mix of examinees at most testing sessions, which is helpful in maintaining a high quality assessment system both within and across test centers.

Spaces within test sessions may be allocated based on a variety of factors, including time of year, location of the test center and whether the examinee's institution of undergraduate medical education is located within the US or Canada, or is an international medical school. These controls on spaces for each test session will remain in place until 60 days before the test date, at which time all testing spaces that have not been filled will be available to all registered applicants on a first come, first served basis. Scheduling patterns and demand will be monitored, and allotment of spaces may be changed as needed.

Applicants rescheduling into newly-available testing spaces will not be charged a rescheduling fee, provided they cancel existing testing appointments with more than 14 days' notice. However, applicants who cancel with notice of 14 or fewer days will be charged a rescheduling fee of $150.

Scheduling Guidelines for Applicants

If you plan to take Step 2 CS, you should consider the following:

• Applicants for Step 2 CS are encouraged to register and schedule their testing appointments as soon as possible.
• Registered applicants are encouraged to schedule a testing appointment, even if they are uncertain that they will be able keep the testing appointment. You will be able to cancel an existing appointment without incurring a rescheduling fee, provided that you give more than 14 days' notice.
• Registered applicants can check which test dates are available to them at any time by accessing Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling from the website of their registration entity.

Important Information on Your Clinical Skills Examination History and Eligibility for USMLE Step 3

The USMLE Bulletin of Information outlines policies regarding an applicant’s clinical skills examination history and eligibility for Step 3. Important information for international medical graduates on this topic has been posted to this website. If you are an applicant for ECFMG Certification, it is important that you review and understand this information, since it explains:

• how USMLE policies affect your eligibility for Step 3, based on your clinical skills examination history, and
• how taking or retaking Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS) may affect your Step 3 eligibility.

View full announcement.

Important Announcement for State Licensing Boards Concerning CSA® Performance History for International Medical Students or Graduates

For international medical students and graduates (IMGs) who have taken the ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA), the USMLE transcript now includes a note indicating that the individual has prior CSA history. This note, which is included in transcripts effective July 1, 2004, appears as follows:

NOTE: The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) records include prior history for the ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) for this examinee. Details cannot be released by the ECFMG without written authorization from the examinee.

An IMG's CSA performance history may be obtained by requesting an "Official ECFMG CSA History Chart". The Chart provides the individual's complete CSA history, including the date and performance results for each CSA taken.

IMGs applying to State Licensing Boards should be advised to request the Chart from ECFMG. To receive an Official ECFMG CSA History Chart or to have it sent to a State Licensing Board, IMGs should complete a Request for an Official ECFMG® CSA® History Chart (Form 297) and submit it to ECFMG.

If you have any questions about how to obtain the CSA History Chart, contact ECFMG by e-mail at info@ecfmg.org.

Important Changes to Standard ECFMG Certificate

Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada, international medical graduates (IMGs), must have a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate as one of the prerequisites to enter U.S. programs of graduate medical education (GME) that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). On June 14, 2004, policy changes affecting the validity of the Standard ECFMG Certificate for entry into GME will take effect. This announcement contains important information on these changes to ECFMG's policy for revalidating and permanently validating the Standard ECFMG Certificate for entry into GME.

View the full announcement.

Important Announcement for State Licensing Boards Concerning Changes to Standard ECFMG Certificate

By Stephen S. Seeling, J.D.
Vice President of Operations
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada, international medical graduates (IMGs), must have a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate as one of the prerequisites to enter graduate medical education (GME). Medical licensing boards in the United States require ECFMG Certification, among other requirements, to obtain a license to practice medicine.

On June 14, 2004, policy changes affecting the validity of the Standard ECFMG Certificate for entry into GME will take effect. This announcement contains important information on these upcoming changes to ECFMG's revalidation and permanent validation policies.

Current Policy Through June 13, 2004
Currently, two of the exam dates on the Standard ECFMG Certificate are subject to expiration for the purpose of entering GME.

• The English test date is valid for 2 years from the most recent date of passing performance. This means that an IMG must enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the expiration date of the English test. If the IMG does not enter an ACGME-accredited program before the expiration date of the English test, the IMG must revalidate the expired date by retaking and passing the English test, so that the ECFMG Certificate is valid on the program start date. The Test of English as a Foreign Language™ (TOEFL®) is the exam currently administered that satisfies the English test and English test date revalidation requirements.
• The ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) date is valid for 3 years from the most recent date of passing performance. This means that an IMG must enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the expiration date of the CSA. If the IMG does not enter an ACGME-accredited program before the expiration date of the CSA, the IMG must revalidate the expired date by retaking the CSA, so that the ECFMG Certificate is valid on the program start date.

IMGs who enter an ACGME-accredited program (on or before the expiration dates of the English test and CSA) may request permanent validation. This means that the English test and CSA dates are no longer subject to expiration. To request permanent validation, the IMG and program director must complete the Request for Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate (Form 246) and submit it to ECFMG. After ECFMG receives and verifies the information on the Form 246, ECFMG sends a sticker, indicating valid indefinitely status, to eligible IMGs.

New Policy Effective June 14, 2004
Two changes to ECFMG policy concerning revalidation and permanent validation will take effect on June 14, 2004. The two changes are:

• IMGs who have passed an English test will not be required to revalidate expired English test dates in order to enter GME; all passing performances on the English test will be valid for the purpose of entry into GME, regardless of the length of time that has passed since the test date.
• IMGs who have passed the ECFMG CSA during the 3-year period before the implementation of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS) on June 14, 2004 will not be required to revalidate expired CSA dates before entering GME. These individuals may enter GME regardless of the length of time that has passed between their passing performance on the CSA and their program start date.

This means that the English test "valid through" date on the Standard ECFMG Certificate can be disregarded for IMGs who are entering GME on or after June 14, 2004, the effective date of the changes. Additionally, the CSA "valid through" date can be disregarded for IMGs who passed the CSA on or after June 14, 2001.

After the effective date of these changes on June 14, 2004, ECFMG will provide eligible IMGs with a sticker, to be affixed to their Standard ECFMG Certificate, to indicate that their English test date (and CSA date, if applicable) is no longer subject to expiration. Please note that not all eligible applicants who are beginning programs in July 2004 may receive these stickers prior to the start date of their programs.

IMGs Whose CSA Pass Date is Prior to June 14, 2001
IMGs who passed the CSA prior to June 14, 2001, and enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the CSA "valid through" date on their Standard ECFMG Certificates, may request permanent validation. After entering the program, the IMG and program director must complete the Request for Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate (Form 246) and submit it to ECFMG. After ECFMG receives and verifies the information on the Form 246, ECFMG will send a sticker, indicating valid indefinitely status, to eligible IMGs.

IMGs who passed the CSA prior to June 14, 2001 and do not enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the CSA "valid through" date on their Standard ECFMG Certificates must pass USMLE Step 2 CS to revalidate their Certificates. Passing performance on Step 2 CS does not expire for the purpose of entry into GME.

State Medical Licensing Boards are encouraged to verify an applicant's ECFMG certification status through the ECFMG Certification Verification Service (CVS). You can request verification using CVS ON-LINE.

If you have any questions, please contact me. My email address is sseeling@ecfmg.org and my telephone number is (215) 823-2107.

Important Announcement for Program Directors Concerning Changes to Standard ECFMG Certificate

By Gerald P. Whelan, M.D.
Vice President of Assessment Services
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada, international medical graduates (IMGs), must have a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate as one of the prerequisites to enter graduate medical education (GME). On June 14, 2004, policy changes affecting the validity of the Standard ECFMG Certificate for entry into GME will take effect. This announcement contains important information for program directors on these upcoming changes to ECFMG's revalidation and permanent validation policies.

Current Policy Through June 13, 2004
Currently, two of the exam dates on the Standard ECFMG Certificate are subject to expiration for the purpose of entering GME.

• The English test date is valid for 2 years from the most recent date of passing performance. This means that an IMG must enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the expiration date of the English test. If the IMG does not enter an ACGME-accredited program before the expiration date of the English test, the IMG must revalidate the expired date by retaking and passing the English test, so that the ECFMG Certificate is valid on the program start date. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the exam currently administered that satisfies the English test and English test date revalidation requirements.
• The ECFMG Clinical Skills Assessment (CSA) date is valid for 3 years from the most recent date of passing performance. This means that an IMG must enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the expiration date of the CSA. If the IMG does not enter an ACGME-accredited program before the expiration date of the CSA, the IMG must revalidate the expired date by retaking the CSA, so that the ECFMG Certificate is valid on the program start date.

IMGs who enter an ACGME-accredited program (on or before the expiration dates of the English test and CSA) may request permanent validation. This means that the English test and CSA dates are no longer subject to expiration. To request permanent validation, the IMG and program director must complete the Request for Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate (Form 246) and submit it to ECFMG. After ECFMG receives and verifies the information on the Form 246, ECFMG sends a sticker, indicating valid indefinitely status, to eligible IMGs.

New Policy Effective June 14, 2004
Two changes to ECFMG policy concerning revalidation and permanent validation will take effect on June 14, 2004. The two changes are:

• IMGs who have passed an English test will not be required to revalidate expired English test dates in order to enter GME in the United States; all passing performances on the English test will be valid for the purpose of entry into GME, regardless of the length of time that has passed since the test date.
• IMGs who have passed the ECFMG CSA during the 3-year period before the implementation of USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (Step 2 CS) on June 14, 2004 will not be required to revalidate expired CSA dates before entering GME. These individuals may enter GME regardless of the length of time that has passed between their passing performance on the CSA and their program start date.

This means that you can disregard the English test "valid through" date on the Standard ECFMG Certificate for IMGs who are entering your program on or after June 14, 2004, the effective date of the changes. Additionally, you can disregard the CSA "valid through" date for IMGs who passed the CSA on or after June 14, 2001.

After the effective date of these changes on June 14, 2004, ECFMG will provide eligible IMGs with a sticker, to be affixed to their Standard ECFMG Certificate, to indicate that their English test date (and CSA date, if applicable) is no longer subject to expiration. Please note that not all eligible applicants who are beginning programs in July 2004 may receive these stickers prior to the start date of their programs.

IMGs Whose CSA Pass Date is Prior to June 14, 2001
IMGs who passed the CSA prior to June 14, 2001, and enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the CSA "valid through" date on their Standard ECFMG Certificates, may request permanent validation. After entering the program, the IMG and program director must complete the "Request for Permanent Validation of Standard ECFMG Certificate" (Form 246) and submit it to ECFMG. After ECFMG receives and verifies the information on the Form 246, ECFMG will send a sticker, indicating valid indefinitely status, to eligible IMGs.

IMGs who passed the CSA prior to June 14, 2001 and do not enter an ACGME-accredited program on or before the CSA "valid through" date on their Standard ECFMG Certificates must pass USMLE Step 2 CS to revalidate their Certificates. Passing performance on Step 2 CS does not expire for the purpose of entry into GME.

Graduate medical education programs are encouraged to verify an applicant's ECFMG certification status through the ECFMG Certification Verification Service (CVS). This service is free for directors of ACGME-accredited graduate medical education programs. You can request verification using CVS ON-LINE.

[last update: June 30, 2010]

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