ECFMG Certification is the standard for evaluating the qualifications of international medical graduates (IMGs) entering the U.S. health care system.

• The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires IMGs who enter ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship programs to be certified by ECFMG.
• ECFMG Certification is one of the eligibility requirements for IMGs to take Step 3 of the three-step United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
• Medical licensing authorities in the United States require that IMGs be certified by ECFMG, among other requirements, to obtain an unrestricted license to practice medicine.

Both international medical students and graduates may begin the certification process and may apply for the required exams as soon as they meet the eligibility requirements for examination. Individuals should begin the ECFMG certification process by first confirming their medical schools meet ECFMG requirements. Schools that meet all requirements will be listed in the World Directory with an ECFMG note stating that the school meets eligibility requirements for its students and graduates to apply to ECFMG for ECFMG Certification and examination. The ECFMG note also will include the graduation years for which the school meets these requirements. Since ECFMG is a sponsor of the World Directory, the ECFMG note is located on the “Sponsor Notes” tab of the medical school listing. If there is no ECFMG note on the Sponsor Notes tab of the medical school’s listing, its students and graduates are not eligible to apply to ECFMG for ECFMG Certification and examination.