hi guys.
first, a question: does anyone know how long it typically takes to process an extension of eligibility request? i just applied and made payment online today.
backstory:
exam was scheduled for this past saturday. received an e-mail around 3AM (woke up and checked my phone for time and luckily checked my e-mail as well) saying that my exam had been canceled due to technical difficulties.
waited a few hours for prometric to open up. they confirmed the cancellation and i learned it was due to the surveillance cameras not functioning. around 8AM, i receive an e-mail saying they rescheduled my exam for a couple days later (wednesday), in a city that is a 4 hour drive from me. which is just not feasible for me. all testing sites in my area are fully booked through february so the soonest id be able to take my exam in a testing site near me is march. the problem is my eligibility period expires february 28.
so this is what happened.
1. prometric representative from their main office contacted me to confirm that i knew about the cancellation. i told her of my predicament and she SEEMED very empathetic and reassured me i can reschedule to a march date without any problems/incurring any prometric fees. she instructed me to contact NBME and tell them to extend my eligibility since i could not take the exam due to a fault that was prometric's, not my own. i would then be able to reschedule. she gave me her direct line and told me to call with any problems.
2. followed instructions on NBME site and wrote them an e-mail explaining situation and requesting the extension.
3. i waited 3 days - until tuesday, since NBME is closed weekends and monday was a holiday. i called them. i am an IMG, so they told me to call the ECFMG number.
4. called ECFMG. spoke with a representative and we get cut off. call back and am put on the queue again of course. so after about nearly an hour of total hold time, the representative tells me i must call prometric and tell them to file a "report" on my behalf with NBME for the extension. NBME will then decide whether or not to grant the extension. the rep also told me he spoke with his manager who affirmed that prometric must contact NBME. and that ECFMG can do nothing for me.
5. i call my contact at prometric main office. who i had left 2 prior voicemails with. i am again unable to reach her. and she has not returned any of my phone calls. gee, thanks.
6. call prometric 1-800 number. am on hold for a good 45 minutes. i explain the situation to the rep. and according to her (who by the way was the nicest, and most helpful out of everyone i had talked to), prometric does not file reports or requests for eligibility extensions. in fact, they are not to involve themselves at all with regards to candidates and the medical board, which is very understandable. i was quite exasperated at this point and she told me my best option is to file for extension, pay the $65 fee, cancel my testing date that they rescheduled me for, wait for the new permit, schedule the new exam, and then prometric will reimburse me the $65 paid to ECFMG. she suggested i call them, as opposed to processing the extension online.
7. call back prometric. wait for a representative. he tells me i can only apply for extension online, not over phone. no other way to do it. he tells me it will take up to 3 weeks and there is no way, whatsoever, to speed up the process, no matter what the situation.
8. applied for extension online.
9. received an e-mail back from [email protected] who i emailed about the situation requesting extension. and the email says: "please contact ECFMG to inquire about a free eligibility extension."
10. NOT THE END. but hopefully close.
my forms are all up to date. still have not received e-mail confirmation from them that they received my request. should i be worried?
SUCH A LONG, STRESSFUL PROCESS. nobody seems to know exactly how to remedy this. the representatives have me running around in circles chasing my own tail. it is SO frustrating.
honestly, after all this anxiety, i do not care if i get reimbursed the $65. i just want to take my exam as soon as possible without having to travel 4 hours and stay in a hotel, etc etc. 3 weeks is a really long time to wait for a permit considering there are not many seats available for march. i do not want to push this exam back even further simply because of faulty equipment and crappy service with terrible turn around times.
anyhow, just wanted to vent and share my experience with you guys. if anyone can relate or offer advice or perhaps has experience with applying for extensions and can let me know how long it typically takes or if theres a way to expedite the whole process, it would be very much appreciated.
sorry for the novel. and the angst.
first, a question: does anyone know how long it typically takes to process an extension of eligibility request? i just applied and made payment online today.
backstory:
exam was scheduled for this past saturday. received an e-mail around 3AM (woke up and checked my phone for time and luckily checked my e-mail as well) saying that my exam had been canceled due to technical difficulties.
waited a few hours for prometric to open up. they confirmed the cancellation and i learned it was due to the surveillance cameras not functioning. around 8AM, i receive an e-mail saying they rescheduled my exam for a couple days later (wednesday), in a city that is a 4 hour drive from me. which is just not feasible for me. all testing sites in my area are fully booked through february so the soonest id be able to take my exam in a testing site near me is march. the problem is my eligibility period expires february 28.
so this is what happened.
1. prometric representative from their main office contacted me to confirm that i knew about the cancellation. i told her of my predicament and she SEEMED very empathetic and reassured me i can reschedule to a march date without any problems/incurring any prometric fees. she instructed me to contact NBME and tell them to extend my eligibility since i could not take the exam due to a fault that was prometric's, not my own. i would then be able to reschedule. she gave me her direct line and told me to call with any problems.
2. followed instructions on NBME site and wrote them an e-mail explaining situation and requesting the extension.
3. i waited 3 days - until tuesday, since NBME is closed weekends and monday was a holiday. i called them. i am an IMG, so they told me to call the ECFMG number.
4. called ECFMG. spoke with a representative and we get cut off. call back and am put on the queue again of course. so after about nearly an hour of total hold time, the representative tells me i must call prometric and tell them to file a "report" on my behalf with NBME for the extension. NBME will then decide whether or not to grant the extension. the rep also told me he spoke with his manager who affirmed that prometric must contact NBME. and that ECFMG can do nothing for me.
5. i call my contact at prometric main office. who i had left 2 prior voicemails with. i am again unable to reach her. and she has not returned any of my phone calls. gee, thanks.
6. call prometric 1-800 number. am on hold for a good 45 minutes. i explain the situation to the rep. and according to her (who by the way was the nicest, and most helpful out of everyone i had talked to), prometric does not file reports or requests for eligibility extensions. in fact, they are not to involve themselves at all with regards to candidates and the medical board, which is very understandable. i was quite exasperated at this point and she told me my best option is to file for extension, pay the $65 fee, cancel my testing date that they rescheduled me for, wait for the new permit, schedule the new exam, and then prometric will reimburse me the $65 paid to ECFMG. she suggested i call them, as opposed to processing the extension online.
7. call back prometric. wait for a representative. he tells me i can only apply for extension online, not over phone. no other way to do it. he tells me it will take up to 3 weeks and there is no way, whatsoever, to speed up the process, no matter what the situation.
8. applied for extension online.
9. received an e-mail back from [email protected] who i emailed about the situation requesting extension. and the email says: "please contact ECFMG to inquire about a free eligibility extension."
10. NOT THE END. but hopefully close.
my forms are all up to date. still have not received e-mail confirmation from them that they received my request. should i be worried?
SUCH A LONG, STRESSFUL PROCESS. nobody seems to know exactly how to remedy this. the representatives have me running around in circles chasing my own tail. it is SO frustrating.
honestly, after all this anxiety, i do not care if i get reimbursed the $65. i just want to take my exam as soon as possible without having to travel 4 hours and stay in a hotel, etc etc. 3 weeks is a really long time to wait for a permit considering there are not many seats available for march. i do not want to push this exam back even further simply because of faulty equipment and crappy service with terrible turn around times.
anyhow, just wanted to vent and share my experience with you guys. if anyone can relate or offer advice or perhaps has experience with applying for extensions and can let me know how long it typically takes or if theres a way to expedite the whole process, it would be very much appreciated.
sorry for the novel. and the angst.
