Important Information for 2021, 2022, and 2023 Pathways Applicants
Notice of Deadline Change: Applications to 2024 Pathways Must Be Submitted by December 31, 2023
To facilitate the transition to the new MyIntealth™ environment, the deadline for submitting applications to the Pathways for ECFMG Certification for the 2024 Match has changed to December 31, 2023, at 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET) in the United States. International medical graduates (IMGs) who need to meet the clinical and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification through the Pathways and plan to participate in the 2024 National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) Main Residency Match® (The Match®) must submit a 2024 Pathways application by 6:00 p.m. on December 31, 2023. There will be no exceptions.
Deadlines for submitting information and documentation in support of a 2024 Pathways application that has been submitted by 6:00 p.m. ET on December 31, 2023, have not changed.
For more information, please read the announcement.
If you submitted a Pathways application to meet the clinical and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification for the 2021, 2022, or 2023 Match, please see below for important information based on the status of your application and to determine what steps you may need to take if you wish to participate in the 2024 Match.
If your application was approved:
- If you wish to participate in the 2024 Match, you will not be required to reapply to the Pathways. Your previously accepted Pathways application will remain valid for the 2024 Match and for entry into U.S. graduate medical education (GME) programs in 2024.
- If you are certified by ECFMG based on a Pathway for the 2021 or 2022 Match and your ECFMG Certificate lists an expiration date in 2021 or 2022, this expiration date has automatically been extended to December 31, 2024. This is the date through which your certificate remains valid for entry into a U.S. GME training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Please present this official letter with your ECFMG Certificate as confirmation of the extension. You will not receive a new ECFMG Certificate reflecting the extended expiration date.
- Once you successfully complete at least 12 months of clinical education in an eligible U.S. GME program, your certificate will no longer be subject to expiration. See Obtaining Permanent Validation of ECFMG Certificate for more information.
- If you do not enter an eligible U.S. GME training program by the time your ECFMG Certificate expires, and you wish to enter a U.S. GME training program in the future, you will be required to revalidate your ECFMG Certificate using the process required at that time. Information on how to revalidate an expired ECFMG Certificate will be provided in time for applicants to complete the revalidation process prior to the expiration of the certificate.
If your application has been rejected:
- If you wish to participate in the 2024 Match, you will need to reapply to a Pathway. There are updated Pathways requirements for 2024. Please review all requirements for ECFMG Certification for the 2024 Match, including general eligibility requirements for all Pathways, and the specific eligibility and application requirements for the individual Pathways, to determine your eligibility and application requirements.
- If you reapply to a 2024 Pathway, you will be required to pay the Pathways application fee and submit all required documentation, even if you already submitted the documentation for your previous Pathways application.
- You can apply to a 2024 Pathway using the Application for Pathways for ECFMG Certification for 2024 Match.
The preceding information is current as of November 21, 2023 and is subject to change. Please visit the ECFMG website frequently for updates regarding these requirements.
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