3. ELIGIBILITY

A. MANDATORY

FOR ECFMG REGISTRATION:

  1. Be a medical student or graduate of a medical teaching institution recognized by the ECFMG and in the US in general. Details on ECFMG website. Verification of student or graduate status by the Dean or the medical school needed. These days, your transcripts (marksheets) also must come to the ECFMG directly from your medical school or Dean's office.
  2. If you are a graduate and submit your diploma to the ECFMG, you are allowed to proceed with the USMLE exams. Soon after ECFMG confirms your registration, it sends a credential verification form to your medical school to be signed by the Dean. Your transcripts (marksheets) also must come to the ECFMG verified directly from your medical school or Dean's office. Your ECFMG Certificate will not be issued until your credential verification is received by ECFMG.
FOR APPLYING FOR USMLE STEP 1:
  1. Complete at least 2 years (Basic Medical Sciences part) of medical school or be a medical graduate. Verification by medical school mandatory as above. Usually done with application for registration on the same form.
FOR APPLYING FOR USMLE STEP 2 written part:
  1. Complete at least 4 years of medical school, or be within 12 months of receiving medical diploma, or be a medical graduate. Verification by medical school mandatory.
FOR STEP2 CS part:
  1. Pass USMLE Step 1.
  2. For the CS, you should also obtain a US visa, the success at which is unpredictable these days.
FOR ECFMG CERTIFICATION:
  1. Your medical diploma should be verified from your medical school.
  2. Pass USMLE Step 1 and 2 within a 7-year period. Number of attempts do not matter , but are limited, and will be mentioned on your ECFMG credential. Many residency programs will not consider you if you passed them in more than one attempts.
  3. Pass Step 2 CS part.
FOR INTERVIEWS:
  1. Pass Step 1 with good scores (>88). Most residency programs will ask for both Step 1 & 2 scores.
  2. Have your complete applications transmitted through ERAS to the institutions well in time.
  3. Some residency programs will want ECFMG Certification at the time of application, some will want it at the time of interview, and some can wait even longer. You will not be considered for the match if the NRMP does not receive your CS score by a specified time before the Match. Read the requirements of each program carefully before you apply.
FOR USMLE STEP 3: (mandatory for getting an H1B Visa)
  1. Be ECFMG certified.
  2. Have your medical diploma.
  3. Have state-specific eligibility for applying from particular states.
FOR H1B VISA:
  1. Have a residency.
  2. Pass USMLE Step 3.
  3. Residency institution must sign your H1B petition.
  4. Have proper state-specific medical training license.
FOR BEGINNING RESIDENCY:
  1. Be ECFMG Certified.
  2. Have the requisite visa.
  3. Have proper state-specific license.

B. DESIRABLE, for best results

FOR INTERVIEWS:

  1. Be ECFMG certified at the time of application or interviews. You will be in a stronger position to discuss a prematch selection at some residency programs.
  2. Good scores on the USMLE steps 1 and 2, preferably in first attempt. Nowadays, scores of 90+ on both exams are not uncommon, making it very important for everyone to score as high as possible. Higher the score, better are your prospects. Institutional policy on number of attempts varies and is mentioned in the prospectus or reply to your pre-application email.
  3. US Clinical Experience (USCE) is always helpful in strengthening your applications. Programs ask for at least 4 weeks of such experience, some will ask for a 1-year experience, some will consider it favorably, and others do not mention it at all. Many programs give preference to candidates having USCE from that state, many other states have a mandatory requirement for it. You will be familiar with the program if you had some experience there earlier. Most programs will not accept observerships, which allow an FMG a spectator status only. You can find about externships or active voluntary participation at a hospital near you or where your relatives live. Most useful USCE is a residency done at an accredited US hospital. Yes! There are people out there who have a residency experience. It is difficult to volunteer and support yourself unless you have close family members in the US. You will have to pay for your malpractice insurance. You need to contact individual hospitals for opportunities for USCE. You can also post a message at Resident Web..
  4. Research work and publications. Not mandatory, but many programs will look upon these seriously, even though you may not be applying for research work in the US.
  5. Community service work.
  6. A residency or employment experience in the specialty you apply for. Residency or academic work performed in some specified countries may get you a waiver in the duration of your US residency.
  7. A psychiatry rotation or internship experience as a medical student is mandatory in some US states for licensing as a physician. Duration varies and documentation is needed. Get your head of department or Dean to clearly mention the psychiatry rotation or internship while verifying your rotations or internship.

It is not that you will not succeed without these, but they make your application stronger than competetors without these attributes. Different US medical institutions have different requirements and opinions on these. An impressive record will always be competetive. The requirements also vary in the different US states - many states and residency programs do not consider FMGs and H or J visa for residency at all.


RESOURCES

INSTITUTIONS