Stage 1
Start Here
Determine Medical School Eligibility
Determine if your medical school meets eligibility requirements for ECFMG Certification
Resource
World Directory of Medical Schools
International Medical Graduates
Residency in USA
Foreign Medical Students/Graduate Planning to Come to USA. Residency Application Requirement for International Medical Graduates (IMGs): (Physician who receive a medical degree from a medical school outside the US):
Stage 2
Obtain ECFMG Certification
You must be certified by ECFMG before you apply for medical residency training in USA.
ECFMG Online Services
Note
Submit the Final Medical Diploma (If already a graduate) and related documents to meet the medical education credentials requirement for ECFMG Certification
Stage 3
Obtain a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number
Complete the Application for ECFMG Certification and download your Certification of Identification Form (Form 186) for notarization.
Note
To Obtain a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number, visit ECFMG On-line Services
Stage 4
Exam Stage
Apply for USMLE Exams
IMG must pass
Basic Science Exam
USMLE Step-1
Clinical Knowledge Exam
USMLE Step-2 CK
Note
Apply / Schedule USMLE Exam
Schedule your USMLE exam according to your location and access your USMLE
Stage 5
Apply to a Pathway
Apply to a Pathway to meet the clinical skills and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification
Requirements for 2025 Pathways for ECFMG Certification
Stage 6
Use OASIS
Use the On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS)
Review and update your contact information
Check the status of your USMLE applications and medical education credentials
For USMLE results
For ERAS Support Services
Complete the physician portion of an on-line application for J-1 Visa Sponsorship
Stage 7
Final Step
Submit Final Medical Diploma & Credentials
Submit the Final Medical Diploma (If already a graduate) and related documents to meet the medical education credentials requirement for ECFMG Certification
Final Submission
Upload Credentials
Upload Credentials
Residency Application Process
Applying For Residency Position in USA
Your Process of applying for residency position involves three separate organizations:
Scroll to view organizations
Organization 1
ERAS Support Services at ECFMG
Serves as the designated Dean’s office for international medical students/graduates (IMGs) using ERAS
ERAS Tokens & Tracking
Issues ERAS Tokens and tracks receipt of certain supporting documents by ECFMG via ECFMG’s On-line Applicant Status and Information System (OASIS).
Supporting Documents
Collects, uploads, and transmits supporting documents to your MyERAS application
ECFMG Status Report
Transmits the ECFMG Status Report to your MyERAS application
USMLE Transcript
Transmits the United States Medical Licening Examination® (USMLE®) transcript, if requested, to your MyERAS application.
Organization 2
AAMC’s ERAS
Maintains the MyERAS website, where you can register with ERAS and complete residency applications
www.aamc.org/eras
Main Applicant Action
Register with ERAS and complete your residency applications through MyERAS.
Organization 3
National Resident Matching Program®
NRMP®, or The Match®
01
Collects the preferences of applicants and program directors for available residency positions
02
And Matches applicants with available positions. You must register directly with the NRMP to participate in this season’s Match.
If You Are Not Matched
If you are not matched to a position through the Match, you may be eligible to participate in the NRMP’s Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®)
Need More Information?
Got any questions?
Contact us for more information about the Residency in USA process and the services we offer. Our team works with medical students and graduates throughout their preparation and application journey.
Send us your question We’ll help you understand the process and choose the right next step.