1. National Credentialing Forum Update
February 2, 2018
Copyright © 2018 by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. All rights reserved.

2. IMGs comprise about 25% of US Physician Workforce
ECFMG Overview
IMGs comprise about 25% of US Physician Workforce
US-Based Programs
ECFMG Certification – 20,000 Applicants per year
J-1 Visa Sponsorship Program – 10,000 physicians per year
Domestic Credentials Services (FCVS)– 5,000 verifications per year
International Programs
EPIC & International Credentials Services – 30,000 verifications per year
Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Education & Research (FAIMER®)

3. Certification Verification Service (CVS)
Confirmation Report includes:
Whether an individual is ECFMG certified;
Date the certificate was issued and the date(s) through which the certificate remains valid for the purpose of entry into graduate medical education;
Date of most recently passed CSA; and
Name of medical school, medical school country, and degree year.
Satisfies The Joint Commission's requirement for primary-source verification of IMGs medical education.
Fee = $45 (January 2018)

4. Irregular Behavior Process
Sub-Committee of Board of Trustees:
Physicians
Healthcare executives
Medical Educators
Lawyers
Applicant can:
Make a personal appearance
Have legal counsel present
Comprehensive review of evidence
and Applicant Case File
Decision # %
Yes
217
74%
Insufficient Evidence 38
14% No 32
12%
Total
295
100%
Source: ECFMG Database

5. Irregular Behavior Process
If there is a finding of irregular behavior…
Sanctions
Notifications
ECFMG partner organizations
IAMRA Members
Medical School, if appropriate
US Governmental Agencies
US Graduate Training Programs
US Federation of State Medical Boards
US House of Medicine Organizations
USMLE Program
Other interested parties
Permanent Annotation on ECFMG Verification Reports sent to hospitals, MRAs, etc.
and
Bar/Revocation of ECFMG Certification
Bar from examination, if applicable

6. Confirmation Report – Certified with Annotation

7. 2018 Initiatives ECFMG Accreditation Requirement
Required use of online notary for Certification of Identity Forms
Notarization is currently required
In 2018 applicants must use online notary service (Notarycam.com)
ECFMG Accreditation Requirement
Beginning 2023 to be eligible for ECFMG Certification, applicants must graduate from a medical school that has been accredited by an agency that has been recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education
ECFMG is in the process of developing policies and procedures to implement this requirement

8. 2018 Initiatives EMSWP Expansion EPIC Expansion
In 2017 ECFMG Medical School Web Portal increased from 300 to over 1,000 verification credentials
Expanding EMSWP to also include post-graduate training institutions and medical regulatory authorities
EPIC Expansion
Since 2014 PSV for MRA increase of 50%
Adding 2 new clients in 2018 and in ongoing talks with 8 others
Exploring expansion to other medical professions with needs assessment 2018 (Dentistry and Respiratory Therapy)

9. Questions?
Mark Malachesky, Manager, ECFMG Certification and Examination Support Services