New DOS Cable Clarifies ECFMG’s Requirements for FMGs

R 200053Z FEB 02
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
POUCH
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE
POUCH DUSHANBE
POUCH KABUL

UNCLAS STATE 032247


VISAS -- INFORM CONSULS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS
SUBJECT: REVISED ECFMG REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN MEDICAL
GRADUATES

1. The purpose of this cable is to inform posts of
current requirements necessary for foreign medical
graduates wishing to enter the U.S. to take the Clinical
Skills Assessment (CSA).

2. The Visa Office has been advised by the Educational
Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), the
organization that certifies foreign medical graduates to
enter U.S. residency and fellowship programs and conductor
of the CSA, of a recent change in procedures. ECFMG
reports that a small number of individuals who have
attempted to come to the United States to take an
examination which is required as part of the certification
process offered by the ECFMG may have been disadvantaged
as consular officers may be unaware of ECFMGs new
procedures.

3. ECFMG certification is required for all graduates of
international medical schools as a prerequisite for entry
into accredited advanced medical training programs in the
United States. In addition to verification of their
medical education, applicants must pass four different
examinations. These are the United States Medical
Licensure Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2, the Test
of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Clinical
Skills Assessment.

4. The CSA is offered only in Philadelphia; therefore
candidates must travel to the U.S. in order to take the
examination. Formerly, ECFMG had required that applicants
pass both the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 examinations as well
as the TOEFL examination before they were eligible to take
CSA. However, those prerequisites were adjusted
approximately two years ago. Currently, ECFMG requires
that candidates must have passed USMLE Step 1 (or its
equivalent) and the TOEFL (or equivalent) prior to taking
CSA. Candidates no longer must pass USMLE Step 2 prior to
taking the CSA exam.

5. ECFMG reports having received reports from a small
number of applicants who claimed that they had been denied
travel visas to come to the U.S. to take CSA because they
had not passed USMLE Step 2. Obviously, whether this was
the actual basis of their denial or not would be known
only by the consular officer. However if that were the
case it would not be consistent with current ECFMG policy
and requirements.

POWELL