ECFMG Certification Change Clarification for Polish Medical Students

Since many of our students were confused about what was changing in 2024 and if it would stop us from practicing in the United States after graduation, I reached out to ECFMG and a few other organizations to get clarification for those of us in Poland. With the exception of information around our specific accreditation agency (PKA), this information can apply to any international medical student who is interested in the change/process.. Elaboration below.

Currently, as many of you are aware, any international medical student/graduate (IMG) can apply for ECFMG certification as an individual and take USMLE exams, as long as their program is accredited by a very long list of acceptable accreditation agencies. PKA—the Polish Accreditation body based in Warsaw that accredits Poznan University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) is on that list and allows for each of us to pursue accreditation thru ECFMG and ultimately apply for residency in the United States. Currently, our degree from PUMS is fully recognized.

As of 2024, individual accreditation through ECFMG based on this list will no longer be an option for IMGs. Instead, students who hope to apply for ECFMG Certification will need to have studied at a program that has accreditation granted from an agency that is certified by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). PKA is not currently WFME-certified. Unfortunately, though ECFMG confirmed that the WFME recognition process only takes about a year to complete, it is PKA that receives it; this means that every medical school in Poland would be a part of this process, whether their programs consist of U.S. hopefuls or not. Due to the immense effort this endeavor requires, PKA has not yet submitted their initial application to the WFME and is still in the preliminary process of communication and compiling information. Though they have begun preparing for this task, this could take a few years to coordinate and execute (and of course, there is inherent risk that they could miss the deadline though we hope this will not be the case).

That being said, THIS DOES NOT AFFECT CURRENT STUDENTS WITH REGARDS TO THEIR ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR ECFMG CERTIFICATION at all—they would simply need to be at a currently accredited university (which we are at) and have applied for ECFMG certification (which can be done in your first year of medical school...as long as this is before 2024, you are fine).

To further explain how current students are not at risk of losing the ability to be ECFMG Certified, here is my best description of the process to quell some longstanding anxiety around this topic. Firstly, the new requirement will take effect with individuals who apply for ECFMG Certification in 2024 or later, not to those who are certified or already in the process. Applying for ECFMG Certification is the first step in the certification process, before taking the USMLE exams. If you apply for ECFMG Certification before 2024, you will be able to continue the certification process under the current requirements. So—in short—if you apply for ECFMG Certification before 2024, the 2024 requirement will not affect you.

What does applying for ECFMG Certification entail? This means submitting the online application for certification and the certification of identity form (form 186) on the ECFMG website. Then, after completing 2 years of medical school, you may begin taking the USMLE exams within PUMS guidelines and regulations, even if that is after 2024. Please feel free to visit the ECFMG website for additional information.