Certification News
ECFMG Introduces Web-based Verification Program for International Medical Schools
In February 2008, ECFMG launched the ECFMG Medical School Web Portal (EMSWP), a significant addition to ECFMG’s on-line offerings and the first exclusively for international medical schools.
Through EMSWP, international medical schools have access to a free, web-based program that enables them to verify the status of their students and graduates who apply to ECFMG for the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). This verification is required for all students who apply to ECFMG for the USMLE. For schools that establish an EMSWP account and for students enrolled in these schools, on-line verification replaces ECFMG’s paper-based student status verification process (see On-line Application Processes Modified). International medical schools are also able to verify the status of their graduates through EMSWP.
Verification of the student/graduate status of USMLE applicants is the first in a series of web-based services that ECFMG plans to make available through EMSWP.
On-line Application Processes Modified
In conjunction with the launch of EMSWP, ECFMG has modified the on-line USMLE application process and the on-line process for requesting Step 1/Step 2 CK eligibility period extensions for students enrolled in medical schools that participate in EMSWP. The on-line process for requesting Step 1/Step 2 CK eligibility period extensions has also been modified for graduates.
ECFMG requires that international medical schools verify the status of their students who apply to ECFMG for the USMLE. Prior to the launch of EMSWP, ECFMG verified student status through a paper Certification Statement (Form 183), completed by the student and his/her medical school for each USMLE application. Now, for a student whose medical school participates in EMSWP, a paper Certification Statement is no longer required for each exam application; instead, the student and his/her medical school will complete a paper Certification of Identification Form (Form 186). Once it is accepted by ECFMG, the Certification of Identification Form remains valid for five years. During this five-year period, the student will be able to complete the exam application process entirely on-line using ECFMG’s Interactive Web Application (IWA), and the medical school will verify the student’s status on-line using EMSWP in response to each exam application. See Applying for Examination.
ECFMG has made similar modifications to the on-line process for requesting Step 1/Step 2 CK eligibility period extensions for medical school graduates and for students of medical schools that participate in EMSWP. Once it is accepted by ECFMG, the Certification of Identification Form remains valid for both exam applications and eligibility period extension requests for a period of five years. During this five-year period, these graduates and students will be able to complete the exam application/extension request processes entirely on-line using IWA. For students, their medical school must verify their student status on-line using EMSWP in response to each request. Refer to IWA for detailed information.
For students from schools that do not participate in EMSWP, ECFMG will continue to require a completed Certification Statement for each exam application or extension request. Students will be able to determine if their medical school participates in EMSWP and obtain the appropriate form (Certification of Identification Form or Certification Statement) after completing the on-line part of the exam application or extension request using IWA.
New Version of USMLE Test Delivery Software
A new version of the software used to deliver the computer-based USMLE examinations is being introduced. Migration to the new version began in mid-August 2008 with the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exam. Migration of Step 1 and Step 3 to the new version of the test delivery software will occur in 2009. Visit the USMLE website for additional information and to access the appropriate versions of the USMLE orientation and practice materials.
Upcoming Changes to Check-in/Check-out Procedures for Computer-based Testing (Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3)
Beginning in late 2008/early 2009, the USMLE program will adopt new check-in/check-out procedures consistent with Prometric’s Biometric Security Management system. When implemented, these new procedures will include electronic capture of examinees’ identification, including fingerprints and photograph. These measures not only help prevent fraud and protect the integrity of the exam, but also will reduce the amount of time needed to check examinees in and out of the examination throughout the day.
Monitor the USMLE website for up-to-date information on the implementation of these new procedures.
Important Information for Fifth Pathway Applicants
The American Medical Association’s (AMA) Council on Medical Education has announced that it will no longer support the Fifth Pathway as a mechanism for eligibility to enter the first year of ACGME-accredited graduate medical education programs. The last Fifth Pathway program class to be supported is the January 2009 entering class, which ends in December 2009.
Additionally, the USMLE program will cease acceptance of Fifth Pathway certificates issued after December 31, 2009 for the purpose of meeting Step 3 eligibility requirements. For valid Fifth Pathway certificates issued through December 31, 2009, the USMLE program has not yet determined whether they will be accepted indefinitely for purposes of meeting Step 3 eligibility criteria or whether a cut-off date will be imposed. Individuals holding Fifth Pathway certificates that are not accepted by the USMLE program for purposes of meeting Step 3 eligibility will be required to obtain ECFMG Certification in order to be eligible for Step 3.
If you plan to complete a Fifth Pathway program, refer to The Fifth Pathway Program for important information on your eligibility to apply to ECFMG for examination. You should also monitor the AMA, USMLE, and ECFMG websites for updates.
Policy on Transferred Credits
According to ECFMG’s medical education credentials policy, all applicants who have transferred credits to the medical school that awarded or will award their medical degree must document these credits when they apply to ECFMG for examination. These transfer credits must be documented at the time of application, regardless of when the credits were earned.
Additionally, for the purpose of ECFMG Certification, transferred credits earned on or after January 1, 2008 must meet all of the following criteria:
- Credits must be transferred from one International Medical Education Directory (IMED)-listed medical school to another IMED-listed medical school.
- Credits must be for courses taken at one medical school within seven years of the date of graduation at the medical school that accepts the transferred courses.
- Credits must be for courses that were passed at the medical school at which the course was taken.
Applicants whose transferred credits do not comply with the policy outlined above will not meet the requirements to be registered by ECFMG for examination or the requirements for ECFMG Certification. See Transfer Credits and Credentials for ECFMG Certification.
The Comprehensive Review of USMLE
The USMLE examination program was designed in the late 1980s and introduced during the period 1992 to 1994. The program replaced the National Board of Medical Examiners® (NBME®) Part Examination program and the Federation Licensing Examination (FLEX) program, which were the widely accepted medical licensing examination programs at that time. While the content and design for the USMLE Step examinations have been continuously reviewed and refreshed, there has been no in-depth review of overall program design and structure since they were first conceived approximately two decades ago. In 2004, around the time that the USMLE was nearing implementation of the Step 2 CS program, the USMLE Composite Committee called for a comprehensive review of the entire USMLE program to determine if the mission and purpose of the USMLE are effectively and efficiently supported by the current design, structure, and format of the USMLE.
The primary responsibility for this review was given to the Committee to Evaluate the USMLE Program (CEUP), which includes members who bring the perspective of students, residents, fellows, Deans and Associate Deans, basic science and clinical faculty, international medical graduates, state medical boards, practicing physicians, and the public to this process. Some, but not all, members of the committee have had previous experience in the USMLE program as item writers, reviewers, or test committee members.
To inform CEUP, staff members have used surveys and focus groups to gather information about the impact and relevance of the USMLE program from a wide range of individuals and organizations, including a sampling of representatives from the medical licensing authorities and from the U.S. undergraduate and graduate education communities. Input has also been sought from institutional and national leaders from the international medical education community. Recent USMLE examinees, both U.S.-trained and internationally trained, were surveyed, as were leaders of local and national student groups.
The CEUP report and information on the feasibility and implications of its recommendations will receive substantial review by the staff and governing bodies of ECFMG, Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, Inc. (FSMB), and NBME. Proposals for major changes to the USMLE will need to be approved by the house of delegates of FSMB and by the full board of NBME. This will not occur any earlier than spring 2009. If changes are approved, it will take at least two additional years to work out the details for a reasonable transition to the new design and structure, and to begin implementation.
For up-to-date information on the Comprehensive Review of USMLE, visit the USMLE website.
The ECFMG® Reporter
Applicants who supply their e-mail addresses to us as part of the application process will automatically receive our electronic newsletter, The ECFMG® Reporter. The ECFMG® Reporter provides important information regarding the ECFMG certification process and entry into graduate medical education in the United States. The ECFMG® Reporter may also advise you of services and programs offered by other organizations in connection with the certification process or graduate medical education in the United States.
The ECFMG® Reporter is a free publication. ECFMG will not share The ECFMG® Reporter subscriber list with third parties. Interested individuals can join or leave The ECFMG® Reporter subscriber list or update their e-mail addresses at any time by visiting the ECFMG website or by writing to: Director of Communications, ECFMG, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-2685, USA.
