It’s it possible to do a pain fellowship (acgme or not) is USA as an IMG with no USMLE?

[Sleeplessbordernights]

Hi, I’m anesthesia trained in Latin America, did a fellowship in pain in Spain, plus I have a few post graduate courses in interventional pain.

I’m currently interested in doing a pain fellowship in USA to be more competitive in my country (I have no intention of staying in USA at all) and acquire better skills.

With the news that are a few fellowship spots unfulfilled, is it possible for me to apply? Ofc I’m not American and I haven’t done the USMLE, again I’m not interested in staying in USA beyond my training.

Thank you all

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[Ducttape]

I would not bother if I were you.

 

[Snowmen96]

Technically, a J-1 visa normally doesn't require the USMLE, at least for Canadian-trained MDs which are considered equivalent to US-trained MDs (I'm Canadian so that's the situation I researched, can't say about non-Canadian IMGs). Some states still require it to get an training license.

Regarding the spots left-over, most of the ones for the 2025-2026 academic year have ended up being filled after the match.