ECFMG Registration Steps

By USMLE Forums

Here are the steps that you have to follow when registering for the first time
with ECFMG in order to apply for USMLE.

First of all check if your medical school is listed in IMED, if it's not you should
inform your medical school immediately. To check the IMED list go here
https://imed.faimer.org/

Before applying it's recommended to read the eligibility requirements

available in this web page ECFMG 2009 Information Booklet - Examination
Requirements

1- USMLE ID:
The first step ever is to obtain a USMLE Identification Number also called
USMLE ID or ECFMG ID this is done by going to this web page
https://secure2.ecfmg.org/requestinstructions.asp
After you enter your information such as name, email, address, etc they will
send you an email giving you your ECFMG ID (8 digits number) and a
password to access the online services.
Wait one week and if they don't send you the email (check your junk folder
also) then call them +1 (215) 386 5900.
This USMLE ID is yours forever and you should record it in a safe place (not
on your Kaplan lecture notes!)

2- IWA application:
Before logging in to IWA make sure of the following:
• Your Internet access is live and continuous (electricity or Internet
outage may prove disastrous)
• Your printer is ready and has enough papers.
Using your ECFMG ID and password you can log in to IWA and begin the
application process. You can do that by going to this page
https://iwa2.ecfmg.org
After logging in you will be asked to fill out online forms (be very careful
while filling these) and if for any reason you are stumbled upon a question
that you don't know the answer immediately, you can save the application
and log out and come back to at a later time. Then you will be asked to print
out some forms that you have to fill by hand and then send by mail to
ECFMG.

3- Forms:
Form 344 is a check list of what documents you have to attach.
Form 345 is medical school release request (basically you are allowing
ECFMG to obtain your information from your medical school). Two copies
needed of this form.
Form 183 for medical students and Form 186 for medical graduates; these
are forms that let ECFMG make sure that you (your name and a your photo)
are in fact existent and that this is your signature and this is your ECFMG ID.
These forms you have to sign in front of your medical school official or in
front of a notary public (see reply below).

4- Documents:
The docs that you will be sending with these forms are
• Medical school diploma + translation if not in English
• Two passport sized photographs
• Some other documents might be needed (like for example if you have
transferred credits)

5- Send the forms and documents:

Now that you collected and filled all these documents and forms you should
send them to ECFMG Philadelphia office (address will be given to you in the
forms and during the online application).

6- Wait for confirmation:

ECFMG will tell you by email and by mail that they have received your forms
and documents then they will send forms to your medical school asking
them to verify your medical school credentials and also requesting your final
medical transcript (if you are a graduate) from them.

7- ECFMG to Medical School Forms:

These forms you do not have access to it and you are not allowed to send
them to your school, The ECFMG will send them.
They will send one copy of your 345 to tell the school that you allowed them
to ask about you.
They will also send your Diploma (that you initially sent to them see step 4
above) and they'll ask the school to authenticate it.
They will also send a form called (Verification of Medical Education) the
questions in that form are these;
• what was the requirements before you entered the school
• how many weeks of medical education you completed
• what degree was awarded (if you are a graduate)
• asking to verifying the attached diploma (ur school should tick yes this
is our Diploma)
 • dean or other authorized registration officer's signature, date, and
name
• any interruptions or extensions in your medical education
• any disciplinary probation you had or currently have
• any professional misconduct that you have during your school years
• any negative reports about you in the school
• any limitations or special requirements by you
8- Medical School to ECFMG:
Your medical school would have to respond to these forms and should also
send your final medical transcript (in English, if not you will be asked to pay
the translation fees).
The last two steps may take several months! However, if your school
participates in the ECFMG Medical School Web Portal then it may take only
few weeks.

9- OASIS:
After waiting for steps 7 and 8 above to finish you are now ready to check
your status by logging in to OASIS (using your same ECFMG ID and
password). The link is this https://secure2.ecfmg.org/emain.asp?app=oasis
When logged in look at the left hand side panel and click on "Medical
Education Credentials and Standard ECFMG Certificate" and the status that
you should be happy with is this "Medical education credentials received and
verified", any other status means that you're not done yet.

10- Apply:
Once you received that status you can apply for any step you like using IWA
or OASIS.
Form 186 is currently requested at this point.
You have to fill it and sign it in front of your medical school dean and
graduates have the option of signing it in front of notary public.
The fees for the exam have to be paid at this point. Current fee
requirements are listed in this web page ECFMG | Selected Fees
Note that you are applying for eligibility period not for exact exam date.
The eligibility periods are three months for all exams except CS it's 12
months.

11- Permission:
When you finish applying online you'll get a permission document with
permission confirmation number and exam registration ID that you should
print out and take it with you to your exam. (note there is no more orange
slips that you have to wait for in the mail as before).
12- Prometric:
After receiving a confirmation email and mail from ECFMG for your
application status you can then go to Prometric website and choose your
exam date (of course within your eligibility period).
Here's the link to Prometric website Prometric Services: Testing and
Assessment

Notes:
• These steps are general and there might be significant variations
depending on your special circumstances.
• Be very careful while filling any form online or offline as they will held
responsible for any little thing you say and it's very difficult to change
thereafter.
• Processing times varies with the time of the day and on how fast your
medical school responds to ECFMG.
This article was posted by Sabio in the USMLE Forums Website here http://www.usmle-
forums.com/usmle-general-topics-forum/362-ecfmg-registration-steps.html