Contents

1. Resources on International Medical Graduates and ECFMG

Resources on International Medical Graduates and ECFMG

Medical licensing boards continue to express interest in obtaining information on international medical graduates (IMGs) and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®). There are three easily accessible resources which provide essential information on the process for ECFMG Certification, ECFMG sponsorship for the J-1 visa, and summary data on IMGs pursuing ECFMG Certification.

The ECFMG® Certification Fact Sheet provides basic information on ECFMG Certification, such as eligibility and requirements. The Fact Sheet provides this information in a compact, accessible format, making it the most appropriate resource for initial inquiries on ECFMG certification. The Fact Sheet may be accessed via the ECFMG website at http://www.ecfmg.org/cert/certfact.html.

The ECFMG® J-1 Visa Sponsorship Fact Sheet provides an overview of ECFMG sponsorship for the J-1 visa, which is commonly used by foreign national physicians to participate in U.S. programs of graduate medical education. The Fact Sheet provides information on general eligibility, the sponsorship process, and some of the federal regulations governing the program. It also provides web-based resources where interested individuals can find more information. The Fact Sheet may be accessed via the ECFMG website at http://www.ecfmg.org/evsp/j1fact.html.

The ECFMG® Fact Card provides summary annual data on international medical students and graduates pursuing ECFMG Certification. Included are numbers for applicants taking and passing the required exam, ECFMG certificates issued, and foreign national physicians applying to ECFMG for J-1 visa sponsorship. The card also provides data on the performance of international medical graduates in the National Resident Matching Program and the number of international medical graduate physicians in first-year residency positions in the United States. The Fact Card may be accessed via the ECFMG website at http://www.ecfmg.org/cert/factcard.pdf.

Paper copies of these three publications are also available at no charge and will be sent to state medical licensing boards on request. To place an order, please send your name, mailing address, name of publication, and quantity to pubs@ecfmg.org.

Specific questions regarding ECFMG Certification and J-1 sponsorship may be addressed to Stephen S. Seeling, JD, ECFMG Vice President for Operations, via email at sseeling@ecfmg.org or via phone: 215-823-2107.

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Copyright ® 2003 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates and Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. All rights reserved.