International Medical School Students and Graduates (IMGs) in the Match:
What You Need to Know
Under the terms of the Match Participation Agreement, to participate in the Match IMGs MUST have
passed all examinations required to obtain certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign
Medical Graduates (ECFMG). To begin training in a residency program, IMGs must have completed all
ECFMG certification requirements. According to the
ECFMG website
, certification includes
•
passing scores on Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK), and Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) of the
United States Medic al Licensing Exam (USMLE), and
•
primary source verification of the IMG’s medical school transcript.
IMGs who have not passed the ECFMG certification examinations by the Rank Order List Deadline
CANNOT participate in the Match.
Why must ECFMG verify that I can participate in the Match?
Only programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
(ACGME) participate in the Main Residency Match, and ACGME requires IMGs who enter ACGME-
accredited programs to be ECFMG-certified or to have a full and unrestricted license to practice
medicine in a United States licensing jurisdiction.
How does the NRMP learn if I have passed the ECFMG examination requirements?
After the Match opens in September, the NRMP conducts weekly data exchanges with the ECFMG.
NRMP provides to ECFMG a list of IMGs who have registered for the Match, and the ECFMG confirms
whether the IMG has completed the examination requirements. That weekly data exchange continues
until the Rank Order List Deadline for the Match.
What happens if the ECFMG does not verify that I have completed the examination
requirement?
All examinations must be passed before the Rank Order List Deadline. After the Rank Order List
Deadline, the NRMP will withdraw all IMGs whose credentials cannot be verified and provide them an
opportunity to contact ECFMG directly about their status. IMGS not receiving final verification will be
withdrawn from the Match, and their rank order lists will not be used when the matching algorithm is
processed.
REMINDERS…
•
Apply early! IMGs must apply for ECFMG certification before they can take the examinations.
Review the ECFMG website and make sure you complete the examinations and medical
education credential requirements well in advance of the Rank Order List Deadline.
•
Be patient! Once you have registered for the Match it may take some time
for the ECFMG to
verify that you have completed the examination requirements. Remember that there are
weekly data exchanges between the NRMP and ECFMG, and NRMP will update your account to
“Verified” upon notice by ECFMG that you have passed all the examinations.
Visit the ECFMG website for information about
ERAS Support Services at ECFMG
Exchange Visitor Sponsorship (J-1) Program
