If you are planning for MATCH 2025, Make sure you complete the clinical skills and communication requirements set by ECFMG. Let us understand the requirements, process, application, and timeline for ECFMG Certification.

Before We Start – Understand why it is important to be an ECFMG Certified.

If you are an IMG aspiring USMLE and planning to do your residency/fellowship in the U.S. Healthcare System, ACGME requires you to be Certified by ECFMG before you start your training. Not only that, If you are interested in appearing for the USMLE Step3 examination or planning for an Unrestricted License, then also you need an ECFMG Certificate.

Let's Understand the Pathway requirements!

Who should use the 2025 pathways?

           An IMG Planning for MATCH 2025 must meet the clinical skills and communication requirements and it can be done by certifying the Pathway requirements.

Assessment required:

1.    To meet the communication requirement - One has to write an OET (Occupational English Test) with satisfactory scores.

2.    To meet the Clinical Skills requirements - You must have an unrestricted License from your native country Or Evaluate your Clinical Skills under license physician using ECFMG’s mini-CEX (Clinical Evaluation Exercise).

How to Select Pathway:

Pathway 1 - Already Licensed to Practice Medicine in Another Country

Pathway 2 - Already Passed an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for Medical Licensure Administered by an Acceptable Medical School

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) 

Pathway 6 - Evaluation of Clinical Patient Encounters by Licensed Physicians

Note: Pathways 3, 4, and 5 are for applicants who do not meet the eligibility requirements for Pathway 1.

Information on the Expiration of the ECFMG Certificate

ECFMG Certificates issued to applicants who satisfy the clinical and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification through a Pathway are subject to expiration.

Expiration dates for ECFMG Certificates issued based on a Pathway are as follows:



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