Written by Nina Madjer, MD Show Now that the ERAS application has opened up for the 2023 match, many international medical students are trying to navigate their way through not only ERAS, but also the ECFMG certification process via “Pathways”. The Pathways for ECFMG certification are how IMGs can meet clinical and communication skills requirements if they plan to participate in the NRMP Match cycle. Regardless of which pathway criteria you may fit into, you must meet the clinical and communication skills requirements. I have sifted through the latest available information on the ECFMG website to break down the General Eligibility Requirements, Pathway 1-6 criteria, and important upcoming dates that may make understanding this process a little bit easier. However, the “Pathways” is how to fulfill clinical and communication skills requirements UNLESS you fit into one of these three categories, so be sure that these exceptions do not apply to you before applying.
General Eligibility To be eligible to apply to an ECFMG certification pathway, you must meet each of the following criteria:
If after reading the above criteria, you find that you are eligible to apply for ECFMG certification via one of the pathways, you need to find out which pathway you are eligible to apply for. Below are the criteria for applying to Pathways 1-6. Pathway 1: Already Licensed to Practice Medicine in Another Country This pathway is for applicants who currently hold a license to practice medicine without supervision. Pathway 2: Already Passed an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for Medical Licensure Administered by an Acceptable Medical School This pathway is for applicants who do not meet the criteria for Pathway 1, but who have graduated from a medical school that administers an OSCE that is approved by the medical regulatory authority in that country. Pathway 3: Medical School Accredited by Agency Recognized by World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Pathway 4: Medical School Accredited by Agency that Has Received a Determination of Comparability by National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA) Pathway 5: Medical School Issues Degree Jointly with a U.S. Medical School Accredited by Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) The following requirements apply to all applicants applying to Pathways 3, 4, and 5.
To find out if your school fits the criteria for Pathways 2, 3, 4, or 5, check out this link: https://www.ecfmg.org/certification-requirements-2023-match/pathway-schools.php Pathway 6: Evaluation of Clinical Patient Encounters by Licensed Physicians This pathway is for applicants that do not meet the requirements for Pathways 1-5. The one differing requirement for Pathway 6 is that the applicant’s clinical skills must be evaluated by licensed physicians using ECFMG’s Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX). To get a blank copy of this form follow this link, although the real form must be submitted electronically: https://www.ecfmg.org/certification-requirements-2023-match/minicex-p6.pdf Important Upcoming Dates: To ensure that your application is processed on time and that it fits the time frame for applying to the NRMP Match 2023 cycle, please keep the following dates in mind.
***All of this information was obtained directly from the ECFMG website and is current as of May 12th, 2022. *** Does 2023 match require OET?Applicants with a test venue in their country should plan to take OET on paper or OET on computer at a physical test center to ensure that they test in time to meet Pathways requirements for participation in the 2023 Match.
How long is OET valid for ECFMG?In addition, ECFMG Certificates issued through the 2021 or 2022 Pathways will be valid through December 31, 2024. Finally, Certificates issued based on the 2023 Pathways will be valid through December 31, 2024. Visit the ECFMG's website for the most up to date information.
What ECFMG 2023?ECFMG 2024 (previously 2023) announcement
In the United States, international medical graduates (IMGs) comprise one-quarter of the physician workforce. Through its program of IMG certification, ECFMG assesses whether these physicians are ready to enter U.S. graduate medical education.
Do us IMGs need to take OET?As you all are well aware, OET has become mandatory for all IMGs (irrespective of which certification pathway you go for) who have not passed/taken Step 2 CS and are wishing to pursue a residency in the US. You require 350 or above in every individual component to score a grade B, which is required by ECFMG.
|