Hello dear PTE students!
If you are applying for residency in the US, you probably know by now that you have to begin with the ECFMG registration and certification process.
At the end of this, you should receive an ECFMG identification number and should have submitted your completed Certification of Identification Form. When the process is over, you will be eligible to register for the USMLE examinations.
To begin, visit the ECFMG Interactive Web Application’s website here.
You will need to click on the link for applicants who have never been issued an ECFMG ID number (this is, of course, if you have never been issued this ID number).
You will be taken to an instructional page providing all the information you need to be able to accurately fill in your details. You will need to check boxes indicating that (1) you have read all the information and instructions and (2) you consent to the collection and use of your personal information.
You are then prompted to a page to confirm that you have never submitted an application for ECFMG Certification or application for examination to ECFMG.
If you click no, the next page is for you to fill in your data. Once that is done, you are over with this phase.
In a few days, you will receive an email confirming that the on-line portion of your Application for ECFMG Certification has been received by ECFMG and containing a information on the Certification of Identification Form (Form 186), which you will notarise at a later time. You will also receive an email containing your USMLE/ECFMG ID number and an email containing a one-time password to access your account on ECFMG’s online services.
You go back to ECFMG’s IWA website and using the OTP, you will be able to set your password and about 4 personal security questions.
You can then submit an application for ECFMG Certification.
You will need to confirm your medical education status.
The next page will be to confirm the certification process. Finally, there will be a summary of the ECFMG Certification for you to confirm all your details. You will then be prompted to a page for payment.
This certification costs 160 USD. You can pay via card or an electronic check. Once it’s complete, you get a payment confirmation number and you can download the Certification of Identification Form (Form 186). You just need to download and save it. Do not fill it in.
The next step is to have it notarised via NotaryCam.
When you make the request for notarisation, you will receive an email on instruction to complete an ID verification, which you can do with an original government issued ID.
When it’s done, you might receive an email almost immediately to notarise your Form 186. If you are unable to do it at that time, you can schedule a later date but note that dates can be booked up weeks ahead so if you can do it immediately, go with this option.
Ensure that you are in a well-lit area with a good background and that you present yourself professionally when you meet with the notary. You should have your government-issued ID with you at the time. It takes 5 minutes max and the notary provides all the instructions you need. Once it’s done, you receive an email confirming that your certification has been completed and you will get an email from ECFMG in 7-10 business days when your form has been processed. Once you receive this email, you are then eligible to apply for the USMLE exams which you can do here.
Author’s note: Kindly note that this blog post is based on my personal experience and research. I am in no way affiliated with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) or any other official institution involved in medical certification processes. The information provided in this post is intended for educational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Applicants are strongly advised to consult official ECFMG resources and guidelines, as policies and procedures may vary and are subject to change. I cannot guarantee the complete accuracy of the information presented here, and individuals should verify details independently before making any decisions or taking actions related to ECFMG certification.