Medical Education Credentials

English Translations

Any document submitted to ECFMG that is not in English must be accompanied by an English translation that meets ECFMG's translation requirements.

ECFMG strongly encourages you to obtain translations from its recommended translation service. Translations from this service meet ECFMG's requirements and will not be rejected for not meeting these requirements. See the Translation Service page in the Resources section of the ECFMG website.

Translations from other services may not meet ECFMG's requirements. All translations must:

• be a word-for-word translation of the original language document. An abstract or summary translation of the document is not acceptable.
• be prepared from the original document or a photocopy of the original document. ECFMG will not accept a translation prepared from a transcription (transcribed version) of the document.
• be prepared by a government official (for example, a Consular Officer), medical school official (for example, a Dean or Registrar), or a professional translation service.
• bear the signature and title of the government or medical school official or representative of the translation service and, if there is one, the seal of the government official, medical school, or translation service.
• appear on letterhead. If the translation service is a private company, the letterhead must identify the company as a translation service.
• include a certification statement from the translator stating the following: I [insert name of translator] certify that the word-for-word translation is correct.

An English language certificate issued by the medical school that is not a word-for-word English language version of the degree, transcript, or other document in the original language is not acceptable as a translation. English translations that do not meet the requirements above will not be accepted. Examples of unacceptable translations include, but are not limited to:

• translations prepared by a notary who is not a government or medical school official or representative of a professional translation service,
• a translation that was not signed by the translator or official or representative of the translation service,
• a translation that is not a word-for-word translation of the original language document, and
• a translation that does not contain the certification statement from the translator.

Additionally, applicants are not permitted to translate their own documents.

Documents submitted to ECFMG as part of the exam application and certification processes, including translations, will not be returned.

Important Note: If the credential provided by your medical school is not in English and an acceptable English translation is not provided by the medical school, ECFMG will have the credential translated into English by an independent translation service. ECFMG will charge your financial account for the translation and will subsequently notify you of the charge. ECFMG will not notify you before sending the document for translation. For information on the translation fee and how to make a payment to your financial account, see Fees and Payment in the Resources section of the ECFMG website.