ECFMG

Medical abbreviation · Medical Specialty

ECFMG
Stands forEducational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
CategoriesMedical

ECFMG stands for Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, a medical specialty abbreviation.

US organization that certifies the readiness of international medical graduates to enter residency and fellowship programs accredited by the ACGME. It verifies credentials directly with medical schools abroad and requires passing USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.

Example: ECFMG certification arrived in March, just in time for the Match.

Usage notes

Founded in 1956, ECFMG also sponsors J-1 exchange visitor visas for physicians in training. After the USMLE clinical skills exam (Step 2 CS) was discontinued in 2021, ECFMG introduced alternative "Pathways" to assess clinical and communication skills. Certification must be complete before an IMG starts residency.

More medical specialty abbreviations

  • ACGME – Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
  • Anes – Anesthesiology
  • Cards – Cardiology
  • CCM – Critical care medicine
  • CT – Cardiothoracic (surgery)
  • Derm – Dermatology
  • EM – Emergency medicine
  • Endo – Endocrinology
  • ENT – Ear, nose and throat (otolaryngology)
  • FM – Family medicine
  • FP – Family physician (family practice)
  • Geri – Geriatrics

See all 47 medical specialty abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.