ECFMG Registration Steps

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 2011 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/usmleidreq...navigator.aspx
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 pagehttps://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 or Form 186 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 may have to be signed by your medical school official and/or by a notary
public, for detailed information about these forms please read The Complete Guide to
ECFMG Forms
4- Documents
The documents that you will be sending with these forms are

Medical school diploma + translated if it is 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 school 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

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 school transcript (in English, if not you will be asked to pay for the translation fees).
The last two steps may take several months! However, if your school participate in
the ECFMG Medical School Web Portal then it may take only few days.
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 now apply for any step you like using IWA or OASIS.
The fees for the exam has to be paid at this point. Current fee requirements are listed in
this web page ECFMG | Selected Fees
Note that you are applying for an eligibility period not for exact exam date.
The eligibility periods are three months for all exams except CS it's 12 months.
11- Scheduling Permit
When you finish applying online you'll get a scheduling permit 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
(Scheduling Permit) 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 you
responsible for any little thing you say and it's very difficult to change thereafter.

Processing times varies with the time of the year and on how fast your medical
school responds to ECFMG.