Can I apply without ECFMG Certification?

[WolfParkinsonBrown]

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So I graduate in December, but I have both steps completed + oet. Can I still apply in september without ECFMG certification and try to match?

Pass/255/US-IMG if that helps? Applying to IM

 

[Apollyon]

In my day (20 years ago), if an applicant didn't have ECFMG cert, they were pulled from the Match. That's it. No appeal, no workaround, no short cuts. It's a check box, and, if not checked, you're out. Full stop. You can interview, but, if they ask if you will have your cert, and you don't think you will, but tell them you will, you better hope they don't find out.

 

[WolfParkinsonBrown]

In my day (20 years ago), if an applicant didn't have ECFMG cert, they were pulled from the Match. That's it. No appeal, no workaround, no short cuts. It's a check box, and, if not checked, you're out. Full stop. You can interview, but, if they ask if you will have your cert, and you don't think you will, but tell them you will, you better hope they don't find out.

Oh no I’ll def have it by December of the same year - will programs even interview without a cert?

 

[Apollyon]

Oh no I’ll def have it by December of the same year - will programs even interview without a cert?

That's hit or miss. My year was the first year with the CSA. I don't even know what they call it now - the "Clinical Skills Assessment". And, of COURSE, ECFMG didn't have enough spots.

Since you are a December grad, if you don't have it, that may/might look quizzical. People graduating May/June, they understand that they might be in a narrow window to get the cert. You're not the first person that has ever experienced this. But, that should not preclude you from getting interviews. Places that aren't familiar won't even know about it.

 

[WolfParkinsonBrown]

That's hit or miss. My year was the first year with the CSA. I don't even know what they call it now - the "Clinical Skills Assessment". And, of COURSE, ECFMG didn't have enough spots.

Since you are a December grad, if you don't have it, that may/might look quizzical. People graduating May/June, they understand that they might be in a narrow window to get the cert. You're not the first person that has ever experienced this. But, that should not preclude you from getting interviews. Places that aren't familiar won't even know about it.

Awesome, I think I’ll just apply this year then! Thank you sm!

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Yes, most programs will not care. You only get withdrawn from the match if you are not ECFMG verified by the deadline -- everything but the actual graduation. You'll actually be certified by the deadline.

 

[Gonio5]

If someone graduates in May, can they still apply for the match for residencies that start July 1?

For example, someone takes and passes the USMLE steps 1 and 2 and the OET and is going to graduate in May. But people apply to residencies late the previous year.

There are so many graduates of St. George's, AUC, Ross, etc. and I don't think they sit it out for a year but go directly from medical school to residency with just a month or two summer break in May and June.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Yes, this happens all the time. If all that's missing for your ECFMG cert is your degree, it's very fast once that's submitted. And to participate in the match, you just need to be ECFMG eligible -- which means you have everything but the degree.

If you need a visa also, it's more complicated. You can't start the visa process until you have the ECFMG cert, and that can be slow. J visas used to be no problem since they were quick and automatic. And then this year happened.

 

[Gonio5]

I just read that starting next year (or technically 7/1/2025), Canadian medical school graduates whose diplomas are dated 7/1/2025 or later will need an ECFMG certificate to do a US residency. That is because Canadian medical schools are no longer going to be LCME accredited.

The ball has been rolling for some time. Before 2014, Canadian medical schools were only LCME accredited, which is a US body. In 2014 they started revolting. By 2021, the LCME was kicked out of Canada completely such that accreditation would end 6/30/2025. The LCME didn't withdraw accreditation completely but allowed the existing medical students of 2021 to graduate, which would be late Spring 2025.
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