Pathway 6 for IMGS - ECFMG Certification

The last pathway for international medical graduates is Pathway 6.
This is for IMGs to obtain ECFMG Certification, which is required in order to apply for residency positions in US hospitals and training programs.
Pathway 6 is a mini evaluation exam, similar to the USMLE Step 2 CS.
Other pathway videos can be found here:
Pathway 1
• What is Pathway 1 for ...
Pathway 2
• What is Pathway 2? ECF...
Pathways 3 - 5
• What are Pathways 3, 4...
USMDPedia.com

[@tarteelahmed8021]

What if I don't fit into any of the previous 5 categories, and my medical school is not accredited, will I not be able to apply to pathway number 6?. ( My school is accredited by the WDME but not the WFME). And if I don't fit into any category, that means that I can't get ecfmg certified and I can't apply to residency right!.

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. Yes, if you do not meet the requirements for 1 to 5, you have option 6. If at the time of application your school is approved, you should be okay. The latest update is that as the new policy starts in 2024, "it will be in a way that continues to promote the importance of medical school accreditation by a recognized agency and will not impede an individual’s eligibility for ECFMG Certification." (ECFMG)

[@rakiyakolo3877]

Thank you so much for this. The only pathway am eligible is pathway 6. Can I be evaluated in my home country or only in the United States? Thank you

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. You can be evaluated in your home country. The documentation/evaluation will be in English.

[@nonsokingsley4190]

American based physician only or can you use the local physician in your home country. American Physicians mostly cite HIPAA.

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. It can be in your home country. They just have to upload all the information I am not sure what the rules are outside the US. Yeah, I think in the US, HIPAA is the main reason some doctors do not want to evaluate someone. The information is only available for Pathways 6 applicants.

[@rakiyakolo3877]

And Sir, pls do you an email where you attain to IMG’s privately? Thank very much, this really helped me a lot

[@USMDPedia]

I can be contacted at [e-mail].

[@taha20raha]

Thank you for the detailed information. I want to know those who are already inside the US and can not go back to home country to do the clinical test, 6 evaluations by the doctors, what should they do? second Q: Is there any forms that the evaluating doctors should use to be sent to ECFMG?

[@viktoriiazarovniaeva6638]

Thank you for very informative video! I have a question about scheduling. How much time should pass between clinical encounters with physicians? Thank you!

[@jasonflipz]

Do we pay the $925 USD fee first before completing pathway 6?

[@ahmedadel4114]

can the physician be from outside usa iam from Egypt can i do it here thanks for information

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. Yes, you can have Pathway 6 done in Egypt. The doctors need to fill out the information in English, but your patients don't have to speak English. Hope this helps!

[@ahmedadel4114]

@@USMDPedia thanks 🙏

[@All-purposefacts]

Should we apply for pathway 6 before usmle step 1 and 2 or after step 1 or 2 ?????????

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. Thanks for the question. You can only apply for a pathway once you have taken Step 1 and Step 2CK.

[@rsh3024]

Thank you so much I am an Foreign medical student I have a question If I apply for ecfmg certification and fill out form 186 before 2024 while my med school still has accreditation, And then after 2024 it loses its accreditation and removed from world directory of medical schools and I complete step 1 and 2 ck I shall apply to which of the pathways at that time? (I guess i can't apply for pathway 2 since my school is no longer in WFME list.)

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. Thank you for the question. Pathway 3 would be probably the best at this point. "At the time of application, your school is WFME recognized."

[@dr.farahfeltane]

Do you need to be a graduate for you to apply for pathway6?

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. You can be in medical school and if you do not have any other pathway available to you, you can try pathway 6. I think a good idea would be to try the USMLE exams first, then go for the CEX exam.

[@EvgeniiaS9595]

thank you very much for the information! I didn’t quite understand at what stage the interview with doctors for obtaining a license takes place? after step 2? You are very good at presenting information!

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there! Thanks for the comment and the question! There is no interview for doctors. You will submit all your documents for review, take exams and then be certified. Interviews would be for residencies, and that takes place between October and January.

[@hanaaelwaez9922]

Old grad 2006 are still eligible to apply

[@fortuneorish559]

please explain the 15 days thing?

[@kafge7798]

if you have done internship you dont have to do any pathway right?

[@kafge7798]

i wanted to ask because every pathway cost 925$ so if one has done home country internship after med school they dnt have to do pathway yea?

[@fahmidasultana9771]

Can I apply for Pathway 6 before completing the OET? Will I be able to take the Mini- CEX exam before OET?

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there! You will need to register for an ECFMG ID in order to take the USMLE exams. I would advise taking the OET before doing the Mini-CEX just to get it out of the way!

[@ob5153]

@@USMDPedia thanks for the video! I have similar question. Med graduate 2013. I just took step2ck on Nov 3, I have scheduled for OET on December 16, and I was hoping to apply for the minicex this month (November) since I failed step2cs before. Are you saying that my application will be rejected since my step 2ck score is not out yet and I haven't completed OET?

[@lilmamasofly9111]

How do I go about finding these doctors to evaluate me?

[@USMDPedia]

If you are working, you can ask a fellow doctor or a director if he or she would be interested in doing an evaluation. It has to be done in your regular work time, and you do not have to pay them.

[@lilmamasofly9111]

@@USMDPedia Thank you

[@fouzhanpejmanian8873]

Hi. Can I complete pathway 6 in California?

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. Yes, you can. As long as your evaluators are licensed to practice medicine in California/the US. There is no geographic limit as far as I know.

[@fouzhanpejmanian8873]

@@USMDPedia Thank you so much for your response. I really appreciate it.

[@hanaaelwaez9922]

I am old grad 2006 which means 15 years graduation

[@USMDPedia]

Sorry for the delay! Yes, you can apply for that. Have you taken the USMLE Step 2 CS?

[@zaidal-husseiny2311]

Hi sir, is this pathway the only hope for me if I studied in my home country or the medical school must be accredited by the WFME? I saw a youtuber who is graduated from Philippines medical school, and her medical school is not accredited by the WFME, but she got certified through pathway 6

[@USMDPedia]

Hi there. Well, her school must have been on WDOMS to be allowed to participate? When did she graduate and when was she certified? Pathway 6 in 2024 will still need WFME. If you apply for certification in 2023 once you have started medical school, this might be an option for you as long as at the time of application, your school is on WDOMS.

[@zaidal-husseiny2311]

She applied her ECFMG certification when her medical school was on WDOMS and she graduated in 2021 and she got ECFMG certified in 2022 through pathway 6, because her medical school wasn't accredited by WFME Thank you so much, you made a lot of things clear for me, I wish you the best in your life and I hope god send you people to help you with your problems just like how you helped me... Thanks alot

[@USMDPedia]

@@zaidal-husseiny2311 You are welcome! I wish you all the success and the best for you on your journey!!!!