COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Updates

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic is creating significant challenges for the medical education community, medical regulatory agencies, physicians, and others around the world that rely on ECFMG|FAIMER programs and services. We are working actively to identify and address those challenges and to support stakeholders during this global crisis. We also have adapted some aspects of our operations to help ensure the continuity of our services and to enhance flexibility for stakeholders who also have made operational changes in response to the pandemic.

This page consolidates ECFMG|FAIMER news, program changes, and stakeholder communications related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to update this web page as additional resources become available.

Newsletter

ECFMG|FAIMER Supports Coalition Recommendations for Fellowship Applicants in 2020-2021 (June 26, 2020)
Requirements for ECFMG Certification for 2021 Match (June 17, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Responds to Suspension of USMLE Step 2 CS Testing, Commits to Uninterrupted Pathway for IMGs to ECFMG Certification (May 26, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Supports Recommendations for Medical School Graduates Entering PGY-1 Residency Positions in Coming Months (May 19, 2020)
ECFMG Medical School Accreditation Requirement Moved to 2024 (May 13, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Endorses Recommendations and Resources for Medical Students, Trainees, and Physicians during COVID-19 (May 12, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Assisting New Jersey in Bolstering COVID-19 Physician Workforce (April 17, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Joins Physician Coalition in Support of Protections for Health Care Workers Battling COVID-19 (April 9, 2020)
As U.S. Licensing Authorities Seek to Expand Workforces, ECFMG|FAIMER Can Verify IMGs (April 8, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Update on Impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic (March 17, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Customer Service Experiencing Exceptionally High Volume (March 16, 2020)

COVID-19 Update for the USMLE Program (June 30, 2020)
USMLE Timeline for Step 1 Pass/Fail Score Reporting (June 19, 2020)
Requirements for ECFMG Certification for 2021 Match (June 17, 2020)
U.S. and International Prometric Test Centers Are Operating and International Medical Graduates Are Able to Schedule Appointments (June 11, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Responds to Suspension of USMLE Step 2 CS Testing, Commits to Uninterrupted Pathway for IMGs to ECFMG Certification (May 26, 2020)
USMLE COVID-19 Update: A Phased Approach for Expanding Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 Testing (May 20, 2020)
ECFMG Medical School Accreditation Requirement Moved to 2024 (May 13, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Endorses Recommendations and Resources for Medical Students, Trainees, and Physicians during COVID-19 (May 12, 2020)
USMLE Update on Resuming Testing (May 8, 2020)
A Message from the Leaders of NBME and ECFMG|FAIMER (May 6, 2020)
A Message to Applicants—ECFMG|FAIMER is Open and Processing Your Applications (May 6, 2020)
Status on Prometric Testing – May 1, 2020 (May 2, 2020)
USMLE Exploring Alternate Test Delivery Options (April 28, 2020)
Updated Prometric Procedures (April 23, 2020)
USMLE’s Weekly Update on COVID-19 (April 20, 2020)
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) 4/10/2020 Update: Prometric Closures (April 13, 2020)
Issuance of Interim ECFMG Certificates (April 8, 2020)
USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) Testing Suspension to Continue Through May 31, 2020 (April 3, 2020)
COVID-19 Updates and Resources from USMLE (March 31, 2020)
USMLE to Waive Fees for Eligibility Period Extensions and Testing Region Changes (March 13, 2020)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for Individuals Planning to Take Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) (March 3, 2020)
Potential Impact of Coronavirus on USMLE Examination Administrations (January 30, 2020)

ECFMG|FAIMER Supports Coalition Recommendations for Fellowship Applicants in 2020-2021 (June 26, 2020)
Requirements for ECFMG Certification for 2021 Match (June 17, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Responds to Suspension of USMLE Step 2 CS Testing, Commits to Uninterrupted Pathway for IMGs to ECFMG Certification (May 26, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Supports Recommendations for Medical School Graduates Entering PGY-1 Residency Positions in Coming Months (May 19, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Endorses Recommendations and Resources for Medical Students, Trainees, and Physicians during COVID-19 (May 12, 2020)
A Message to Applicants—ECFMG|FAIMER is Open and Processing Your Applications (May 6, 2020)
U.S. Department of State Indicates Additional Flexibility Regarding Statement of Need Letter for J-1 Visa Sponsorship (April 23, 2020)
New Trump Administration Executive Order on Immigration Does Not Impact Non-immigrant Visa Processing, Including J-1s (April 23, 2020)
Advocating for Matched IMGs with U.S. Department of State (April 8, 2020)
Department of State Signals Visa Processing for Medical Professionals Will Move Forward (March 27, 2020)
Match Day Adds 7,000+ International Medical Graduates to U.S. GME Programs (March 23, 2020)

Direct Communications

To Exchange Visitor Physicians

• Message to All Current Exchange Visitor Physicians: Embarking on the New Academic Year (July 15, 2020)
• Message to All Incoming Exchange Visitor Physicians: Transition Support & Info for Incoming J-1 Physicians (June 8, 2020)
• Message to Incoming Exchange Visitor Physicians from India: India Visa Appointment and Travel Availability (June 5, 2020)
• Message to All Current Exchange Visitor Physicians: COVID-19 Thanks & Check Your Application Status Online (April 9, 2020)
• Message to All Current Exchange Visitor Physicians: Suspension of Routine U.S. Visa Services (March 19, 2020)
• Message to All Current Exchange Visitor Physicians: COVID-19 Travel Restrictions (March 16, 2020)
• Message to All Current Exchange Visitor Physicians: Coronavirus Update from EVSP (March 4, 2020)
• Message to Current Exchange Visitor Physicians with China as Home Country: Travel from China by Foreign Nationals Restricted by Presidential Proclamation (February 4, 2020)

To Training Program Liaisons

• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens (June 23, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: Supporting Your Incoming Foreign National Physicians (June 8, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: India Visa Appointment and Travel Availability (June 5, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: TODAY: Live COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Host Institutions (June 4, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: Progress for Incoming J-1 Physicians & COVID-19 Webinar Invitation (May 29, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: Presidential EO and Statement of Need Flexibility (April 22, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: TODAY: Live COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Host Institutions (April 7, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: U.S. Dept. of State Guidance & COVID-19 Webinar Invitation (April 2, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: U.S. Visas Available for Foreign National Physicians (March 27, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: COVID-19 FAQs for TPLs (March 25, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: TODAY: Live COVID-19 Webinar for TPLs (March 23, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: COVID-19 Webinar and Visa Suspension Updates (March 20, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: Suspension of Routine U.S. Visa Services (March 19, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: COVID-19 and J-1 Sponsorship News + Application Tips (March 13, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: Coronavirus Update from EVSP (March 4, 2020)
• Message to All Training Program Liaisons: Travel from China by Foreign Nationals Restricted by Presidential Proclamation (February 4, 2020)

To Program Directors

• Message to All Program Directors: Advocacy Efforts for J-1 Physicians Continue: Proposed Change to “Duration of Status” (August 10, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: Now Available–Webinar for GME Leaders on New ECFMG Certification Requirements for 2021 Match (July 24, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: J-1 Physician Arrival and ECFMG Certification for 2021 Match (July 20, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: Please Send Your Questions to CEO of ECFMG|FAIMER by Monday, June 29 (June 25, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens (June 23, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: Resource for Program Directors About New ECFMG Certification Requirements (June 18, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: New ECFMG Certification Pathways for 2021 Match (June 18, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: TODAY: Live COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Host Institutions (June 4, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: Progress for Incoming J-1 Physicians & COVID-19 Webinar Invitation (May 29, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: Launch of COVID-19 Resources (April 9, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: TODAY: Live COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Host Institutions (April 7, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: U.S. Dept. of State Guidance & COVID-19 Webinar Invitation (April 2, 2020)
• Message to All Program Directors: U.S. Visas Available for Foreign National Physicians (March 27, 2020)

To Designated Institutional Officials

• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Advocacy Efforts for J-1 Physicians Continue: Proposed Change to “Duration of Status” (August 10, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Now Available–Webinar for GME Leaders on New ECFMG Certification Requirements for 2021 Match (July 24, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): J-1 Physician Arrival and ECFMG Certification for 2021 Match (July 20, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Please Send Your Questions to CEO of ECFMG|FAIMER by Monday, June 29 (June 25, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens (June 23, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Resource for DIOs About New ECFMG Certification Requirements (June 18, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): New ECFMG Certification Pathways for 2021 Match (June 18, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): TODAY: Live COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Host Institutions (June 4, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Progress for Incoming J-1 Physicians & COVID-19 Webinar Invitation (May 29, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Updates and Resources for J-1 Visa Sponsorship (May 8, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Presidential EO and Statement of Need Flexibility (April 22, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): Launch of COVID-19 Resources (April 9, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): TODAY: Live COVID-19 Q&A Webinar for Host Institutions (April 7, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): U.S. Dept. of State Guidance & COVID-19 Webinar Invitation (April 2, 2020)
• Message to All Designated Institutional Officials (DIOs): U.S. Visas Available for Foreign National Physicians (March 27, 2020)

To Ministry of Health Officials

• Message to Ministry of Health Officials: Electronic Statements of Need Now Accepted for J-1 Sponsorship (April 7, 2020)

ECFMG|FAIMER Endorses Recommendations and Resources for Medical Students, Trainees, and Physicians during COVID-19 (May 12, 2020)
ECFMG|FAIMER Assisting New Jersey in Bolstering COVID-19 Physician Workforce (April 17, 2020)
Modifications to ECFMG|FAIMER Credential Verification Processes and Institutional Outreach (April 8, 2020)

International Medical Schools

ECFMG Focus (June 17, 2020)
ECFMG Focus (May 26, 2020)
ECFMG Focus (May 15, 2020)
ECFMG Focus (May 6, 2020)
ECFMG Focus (April 1, 2020)

Other Resources

Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB)

• COVID-19 website

National Resident Matching Program^® (NRMP^®) “The Match”

• NRMP responses to the Frequently Asked Questions

United States Medical Licensing Examination^® (USMLE^®)

• COVID-19 Resources and Updates

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