Skip to main content

Guidance of USMLE



Since I was so confused during the process of application for USMLE step 1 exam, I thought I should note down the step by step procedure for IMG graduates :
1. Get ECFMG ID. Log into ECFMG website and create an account with basic info. Then you will be mailed ECFMG /USMLE ID in 3-5 days.
2. Application for ECFMG certification. At this point, you will be asked to pay 125$. You will get the form 186 to download as soon as you make the payment.
3. Get your passport ready. You will be asked to notarise the form 186 via notarycam. The procedures are well mentioned in the website. You need to upload the first page of form 186 and copy of your passport in the notarycam website. You will be asked to get an appointment for notarycam after you upload these documents.
4. Notarycam personnel will fix an appointment as per your convenience. Keep your passport handy. It will last for 3-4 minutes. It is very simple step. The personnel will verify the passport and your basic information and take your snapshot through webcam/ ask you to mail a recent image. Once you are done, you will be notified by notarycam and they will transfer the documents to ECFMG for verification.
5. Wait for 10 business days. ECFMG will send confirmation of verification of form 186. At this point, you will be able to apply for USMLE exam. Fill your information carefully. Make sure you enter you name/DOB carefully. Regarding the Graduation date and Degree date, the graduation date is the date of completion of Internship and Degree date is the date when your Diploma is issued to you. Make payment for USMLE step 1 exam (1090$).
6. Based on whether your medical school participates in ECFMG web portal verification or not, you will be issued form 183. My school does not participate EMSWP and hence I was asked to mail form 183.
7. Get your form 183 signed / stamped by medical school official (principal/ dean for my institute). Now send your form 183 via courier to ECFMG office in Philadelphia. The trick part is, this form has to be sent through the office of the person who is signing the form 183. It will be rejected if it is sent otherwise. If your medical school does not send form 183 by themselves, get one envelope and write "office of principal/dean" as sender's address and put stamps of the official on the envelope and seal it. Take care to write the name of the office of principal/dean as sender when you are filling-up the form of Fed-ex or DHL. Don't mention your name. You can send a copy of your diploma with this form 183. There is no need to send transcript.
8. After it is received at ECFMG office, wait for 10 business days. You will get confirmation of acceptance of form 183 via mail. After 3-4 days, you will receive scheduling permit and you are good to go.
The entire process may take at least 25-30 days. So start well in advance. Call ECFMG helpline at any step if you have query. They are very helpful.

Comments

  1. Ana JacksonDecember 11, 2020 at 10:44 PM

    Nice Post, Your given information about "USMLE" is very informative and useful. Each and every thing is clear in this post. Thanks for sharing this informational blog post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fiery jamJanuary 25, 2021 at 9:01 AM

    Hi Thanks for this Information. My husband did his steps 7 years ago and he had to submit transcripts. Is this Form 183 in lieu of transcripts?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Omnia Mohamed Saeed--- Match 2019

Congratulations to everyone who matched  :) ) and those who didn't hopefully you'll match next cycle! I matched in Internal Medicine, my #1 choice  :) ) First match cycle.. To all the old grads out there, it's never too late  😀 YOG 2010 (2009 without internship) I took the steps throughout many years cuz I was working and travelling a lot..wasnt ready yet to apply for the match till now. Step 2 CK: 260 done in 2011 Step 1: 245 done in 2013 Step 2 CS: Pass in 2014 Step 3: 259 done in 2018 No USCE No research No US-LORs No contacts Non US-IMG, need a visa Continuously practicing medicine since graduation, did 2 years residency in home country n quit (internal med) then started and finished another residency abroad (family med) 4 LORs from non-US doctors - one waived (3 were from FM doctors and one IM doctor!) Applied to only around 90 programs IM (biggest mistake, it was my first match cycle and I did not research well, I only looked through FREIDA which was mis...
Post a Comment
Read more

United States Clinical Experience (USCE)

This is really important part of steps journey. I will try my best to explain it in the simplest way. Those days are over when people with triple 99 only used to get residencies .USA hospitals now require some clinical experience inside USA before you apply. Students work under supervision in hospitals and get L.o.Rs. There are 3 forms of USCE ( research is not part of USCE -a big misconception): 1. Electives 2. Externship 3. Clinical Observer Status (Observer-ship) 1 Elective: Doing clinical work in USA while you are not graduating is called elective. Most people do it in 4th yr / final yr vacation or immediately after final year. Each elective comprises of 4 week rotation in which you get one L.o.R. It is the best form of USCE. Some universities offer it free while others have some fees. People who have done step 1 are very likely to get electives for free in good universities. Elective also solves the visa problem as you get a 5 yr visa on basis of electives which helps you later...
Post a Comment
Read more

- Step1 Experience ----267

Hello, My name is Saif Sharayah, I am from Jordan and I graduated from Hashemite University in May 2018. Test date: 22nd of April, 2019 Preparation time: 8-9 months Step1 Score: 267 First of all, you should bear in mind that everybody is different and has a certain goal. With that being said, I am hoping that what I am going to say would benefit as much people as possible. I would like to start by saying that the exam is certainly doable, so let’s get that out of the way. Resources that were worth doing (In addition to firstaid, pathoma and Uworld) based on “MY” experience: -Dr. Turcos Kaplan videos (Biochemistry) -Sketchy Micro (Aids recall, not essential though) -Bnb biostats’ videos followed by Uworld subject review (Can’t recommend this method enough, its golden for biostat) -100 Cases by Conrad Fischer (Ethics) -Anatomy shelf notes + Kaplan Neuroanatomy videos by Dr. White (Anatomy) -BRS physiology (Not essential if you are comfortable with the subject) The above cover...
Post a Comment
Read more