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There's a lot of confusion among IMGs about the various ECFMG Forms, like what are they for and what form should be signed and who should send them.
I this thread, I will try to simplify the issues where we can always refer to it (it will be updated constantly to reflect the latest ECFMG requirements).
Certificate of Identification Forms
These are also called Form 186 and Form 183-E. These forms are used by the ECFMG to verify your identity. In other words, they want to make sure that you, who is named XYZ, and whose photograph is affixed, is actually the person applying to the USMLE Examination.
Form 183-E
is for medical students whose medical school DOES NOT participate in EMSWP. This form should be signed by medical school official only.
Form 186
There are Three Types of Form 186:
Type A) Medical School Official Only Signature
Type B) Notary Public Only Signature
Type C) Both Medical School Official and Notary Public Signatures
>>If you are a student and your school DOES NOT participate in EMSWP then your only option is Form 183-E.
>>If you are a student and your school participates in EMSWP then you have only one option, Form 186 Type A.
>>If you are a graduate and your school participates in EMSWP then you can choose one of two types, either Type A or Type B.
>>If you are a graduate and your school DOES NOT participate in EMSWP then you can choose either Type A or Type C.
>>If you are a graduate and your school already verified your credentials before then you can choose either Type A or Type B.
How do I know which Form I should fill (Form 183-E or Form 186 and which type of Form 186)?
When you finish the online part of your application and you pay the fees for the exam, the ECFMG website will provide you a link, click on that link and you will be presented with a PDF document and then you have to print it out. For more information about the registration process read here http://www.usmle-forums.com/ecfmg-forum/362-ecfmg-registration-steps.html
How frequently do I need to send certificate of identification forms?
Once you have a valid certificate of identification form (you can check that in OASIS) you don't need to send it again at all. The only exception to this rule, is when your status changes (from student to graduate).
Do I need to sign Form 186/183-E in front of medical school official?
Only if you are still a medical student (i.e. either medical school official only-Form 186 or Form 183-E). Then in that case you need to sign it in front of a medical school official. In all other cases, you can sign it away and then send it to your medical school for signature (if needed).
Do I need to sign Form 186 in front of the consulate in US Embassy?
The consulate office in any US embassy can replace a notary public signature for you. But it CAN NOT replace your medical school official signature.
How Do I check the status of my Form 186?
In your OASIS account click on the tab that says "certificate of identification form".
Which Medical School Official should sign Form 186 or 183-E?
The ECFMG maintains a list of people that are authorized to sign it. They got that list either by directly contacting your medical school or (specially in developing countries) by their prior experience with your senior colleagues. The ECFMG will not tell you the name of that person. Therefore, you should make sure that the official who signs your form is actually the same person who has been signing for your other senior colleagues. If you are the first one to actually apply to ECFMG from your college then you have to ask your college to contact the ECFMG and tell them who's the authorized person.
What is Form 344?
This is simply a checklist of the credentials stuff that you (or your medical school) will be sending to ECFMG. You have to fill it whenever forms are sent to ECFMG.
What is Form 187?
This is simply a checklist of the documents that you (or your medical school) sending to ECFMG.
What is Form 345?
This is simply to authorize your medical school to release the information (your credentials) to ECFMG, without it, the ECFMG can be held legally liable for asking information about you without your approval! So you have to give the permission to your medical school to release the info which is what this form is all about.
Can access these form online whenever I want?
The certificate of identification forms (Form 186 and Form 183-E) can be accessed only once, which is when you finish the online part of ECFMG application. After that, you cannot access it. Therefore, it's recommended you make several copies of it at that time just in case you make an error or something.
All other forms (including From 344, 345, and 187) can be accessed online whenever you want from this page http://www.ecfmg.org/pubshome.html
Who should send the forms?
>If your Form 186 or Form 183 has a medical school official signature then all your forms (including form 344 and 345 and 187) and your other documents (like the copy of the Diploma, copies of transcript, credit transfer, photographs, ...etc) should be sent directly from your medical school to ECFMG. YOU SHOULD NOT SEND THEM YOURSELF. Note that if your form requires notary public signature then you have to sign it in front of the notary public then send it to your medical school to sign the other part of it.
Or
>If your Form 186 is only signed by a notary public. In that case only, you can send the stuff directly from you to ECFMG.
Note: In any case, all forms and documents should be packed in one single sealed envelop and mailed to ECFMG.
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-
I this thread, I will try to simplify the issues where we can always refer to it (it will be updated constantly to reflect the latest ECFMG requirements).
Certificate of Identification Forms
These are also called Form 186 and Form 183-E. These forms are used by the ECFMG to verify your identity. In other words, they want to make sure that you, who is named XYZ, and whose photograph is affixed, is actually the person applying to the USMLE Examination.
Form 183-E
is for medical students whose medical school DOES NOT participate in EMSWP. This form should be signed by medical school official only.
Form 186
There are Three Types of Form 186:
Type A) Medical School Official Only Signature
Type B) Notary Public Only Signature
Type C) Both Medical School Official and Notary Public Signatures
>>If you are a student and your school DOES NOT participate in EMSWP then your only option is Form 183-E.
>>If you are a student and your school participates in EMSWP then you have only one option, Form 186 Type A.
>>If you are a graduate and your school participates in EMSWP then you can choose one of two types, either Type A or Type B.
>>If you are a graduate and your school DOES NOT participate in EMSWP then you can choose either Type A or Type C.
>>If you are a graduate and your school already verified your credentials before then you can choose either Type A or Type B.
How do I know which Form I should fill (Form 183-E or Form 186 and which type of Form 186)?
When you finish the online part of your application and you pay the fees for the exam, the ECFMG website will provide you a link, click on that link and you will be presented with a PDF document and then you have to print it out. For more information about the registration process read here http://www.usmle-forums.com/ecfmg-forum/362-ecfmg-registration-steps.html
How frequently do I need to send certificate of identification forms?
Once you have a valid certificate of identification form (you can check that in OASIS) you don't need to send it again at all. The only exception to this rule, is when your status changes (from student to graduate).
Do I need to sign Form 186/183-E in front of medical school official?
Only if you are still a medical student (i.e. either medical school official only-Form 186 or Form 183-E). Then in that case you need to sign it in front of a medical school official. In all other cases, you can sign it away and then send it to your medical school for signature (if needed).
Do I need to sign Form 186 in front of the consulate in US Embassy?
The consulate office in any US embassy can replace a notary public signature for you. But it CAN NOT replace your medical school official signature.
How Do I check the status of my Form 186?
In your OASIS account click on the tab that says "certificate of identification form".
Which Medical School Official should sign Form 186 or 183-E?
The ECFMG maintains a list of people that are authorized to sign it. They got that list either by directly contacting your medical school or (specially in developing countries) by their prior experience with your senior colleagues. The ECFMG will not tell you the name of that person. Therefore, you should make sure that the official who signs your form is actually the same person who has been signing for your other senior colleagues. If you are the first one to actually apply to ECFMG from your college then you have to ask your college to contact the ECFMG and tell them who's the authorized person.
What is Form 344?
This is simply a checklist of the credentials stuff that you (or your medical school) will be sending to ECFMG. You have to fill it whenever forms are sent to ECFMG.
What is Form 187?
This is simply a checklist of the documents that you (or your medical school) sending to ECFMG.
What is Form 345?
This is simply to authorize your medical school to release the information (your credentials) to ECFMG, without it, the ECFMG can be held legally liable for asking information about you without your approval! So you have to give the permission to your medical school to release the info which is what this form is all about.
Can access these form online whenever I want?
The certificate of identification forms (Form 186 and Form 183-E) can be accessed only once, which is when you finish the online part of ECFMG application. After that, you cannot access it. Therefore, it's recommended you make several copies of it at that time just in case you make an error or something.
All other forms (including From 344, 345, and 187) can be accessed online whenever you want from this page http://www.ecfmg.org/pubshome.html
Who should send the forms?
>If your Form 186 or Form 183 has a medical school official signature then all your forms (including form 344 and 345 and 187) and your other documents (like the copy of the Diploma, copies of transcript, credit transfer, photographs, ...etc) should be sent directly from your medical school to ECFMG. YOU SHOULD NOT SEND THEM YOURSELF. Note that if your form requires notary public signature then you have to sign it in front of the notary public then send it to your medical school to sign the other part of it.
Or
>If your Form 186 is only signed by a notary public. In that case only, you can send the stuff directly from you to ECFMG.
Note: In any case, all forms and documents should be packed in one single sealed envelop and mailed to ECFMG.
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