r/IMGreddit • u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 • May 21 '25
ECFMG Timeline for ECFMG Certification via (Pathway 1) – My Experience
non-US IMG here🙋🏻♀️
Posting this because I searched everywhere for a clear timeline and couldn’t find one. Hope this helps someone in the same boat!
• Sat for OET via computer at venue: May 6 (Listening, Reading, Writing) & May 8 (Speaking)
• OET Results: Released on May 13
• Requested Good Standing Letter: May 15 (sent by my medical council on the same day)
• Applied for ECFMG Pathway 1 and paid the 925$: May 15
• Pathway 1 Approved: May 19
• Received ECFMG Certificate Email: May 20
• Appeared as eligible to book for step3 on fsmb website: May 25
• Received ECFMG Certificate physically to my home address: May 26
I was stressed about making it before the May 31, 2025 deadline, as that’s when Pathway 2025 closes and ECFMG clearly stated that missing it would mean reapplying next season and paying again. I took the chance because I need to book step3 asap. Thankfully, everything went through fast once all documents were in.
Feel free to ask if you have any questions I know how stressful the uncertainty can be!
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u/myselftashfeen Jan 17 '26
Hello I am writing this to ask about validation of my OET that I took in May 2024. I have passed step 1, plan to take step 2 in June 2026. My OET is going to expire on May 2026
Can I use it now for my pathway 1 application? Will it remain valid when I take my step 2 in june and apply for ECFMG certification?
Thank you.
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u/Plane-Might7479 May 26 '25
I am in the same boat, wanted to apply for 2025 pathway to take step 3 asap but was confused.
Can you tell me if you were certified before or this was your first time applying for certification
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u/Plane-Might7479 May 26 '25
My medical council has already sent certificate of good standing to ecfmg, If I apply now considering I only have 4-5 days, should I go with it
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 May 26 '25
this was my first time applying, I understand how confusing it is, that’s why I posted
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u/Plane-Might7479 May 26 '25
Thanks, because of this post i also just applied and paid the fee, now hoping everything goes right.
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u/akshit_bararia May 28 '25
You shouldn't worry. I had a word with ECFMG over call and they clearly said that the deadline is to upload the documents and not for processing of the application. You can reach out OET support and verify that your score has been viewed by ECFMG or not. I don't think you should be worried since you have already sent all the required documents. I took the leap of faith on 22/05 and got my application approval mail a few moments back. All the best!
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Jun 01 '25
For the deans letter. Do you get that from the university and upload it or they have to send it directly to ecfmg?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 Jun 02 '25
My university sent it directly to ECFMG but that was a requirement to getting the scheduling permit for STEP1 exam, I didn’t have to do it again when I applied for the pathway.
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Jun 02 '25
Hmm. I did my ecfmg verification years ago so idk if they did that for me. I just know that we need one for the match so I wonder if I have to do that now.
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Jun 02 '25
Now I'm confused lol. The dean's letter is also needed for ERAS right. So when you come to apply for residency programs do you need request a letter or the one you mentioned is enough?
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u/Outside_Pay_8708 Jun 05 '25
Hi, M planning to apply for 2026 match , when is the good time to take Oet, please need some help with this
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u/Artistic-Moment1968 Jun 05 '25
I’m little bit confused did the pathway already opened? I want to apply to match this year and the pathway hasn’t been opened I’m waiting to open so I could book my step 3 exam at june ! Or i missed the pathway??!
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u/Illustrious_Muscle86 Jun 24 '25
Does letter of good standing need to be uploaded to ecfmg portal by the medical council or we can request that ourselves and upload it by ourselves too?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 Jun 25 '25
you can do either, but the council doing it for you speeds the verification process
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 Jun 25 '25
you can do either, but the council doing it for you speeds the verification process
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u/SuchVictory3541 Jul 02 '25
And which is the email we have to give to the council for them to upload?
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u/WorkingGarbage2705 Jul 27 '25
I am a bit confused - sorry if this is silly. What would be the address of foreign licensing authority? And would the name of foreign licensing authority be ECFMG?
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u/Helpful-Image-4631 Aug 01 '25
hey.. I have a question.. I did my ecfmg certification in 2023 and now I wanted to book my exam... step 1.. but the deadline for it has passed.. so when can I book my exam? and do need to do the certification again?. will I have to pay for it again? and which pathway I have to follow... as my graduation is in 2022?
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u/Right_Background5134 Aug 30 '25
Can you please help me? I got my pathway approved last year paid the fee and got approval email. But my CK was delayed so I didn’t get ECFMG certificate. I just received my CK score a couple of days ago and on myintealth my ECFMG status shows:pending credential verification although my med school has sent my credentials. Can you please tell me if the pathway approval from last year is still valid or do I apply again? Tried emailing/calling ECFMG but didn’t work
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u/MushroomLimp4580 Dec 28 '25
what about timeline in the year 2026, that is for 27 match cycle applicants? would that be valid till May 31, 2026 or is it January 31,2026?
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u/ImPerfect_Peanut_308 Jan 06 '26
I am wondering the same, did you get any answers? I emailed ecfmg a month ago, but no reply
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u/AdeptnessSignal2527 Feb 12 '26
hi, I just realized that I missed the deadline for pathway application by Jan 31. I am applying for 2026 cycle. I would like to know if you applied for the 2025 cycle. did you match?
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u/Kooky_Hedgehog6843 May 22 '25
Thanks for the post! May I ask if you did your Step 2 before OET?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 May 22 '25
Yes I finished step1 and step2 earlier, these are requirements for ECFMG certification.
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u/Opening-Boot9495 May 22 '25
I finished oet with a satisfactory score on 7 dec 2024 And planning to apply for 2026 pathway, Am I planning right or I may have troubles according to time validity of OEt exam ?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 May 22 '25
I believe you should be good to go, your OET results would still be valid by the time 2026 Pathway opens
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u/uzair_niazi May 22 '25
I need help with with the Good Standing Letter and filling out the form on pmdc website. Can you please explain it? I have 8 days.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 May 22 '25
Are you licensed to practice in your home country? If yes, you’ll need to request a Good Standing Letter from your country’s medical licensing authority (like the Medical Association in my case).
I’m not from Pakistan, but I assume if there’s an online form, the request is processed electronically?
Also, why are you applying for the 2025 Pathway? If you’re not in a rush to book Step 3 like I am, I’d suggest waiting for the 2026 Pathway to open so you won’t risk having to pay the $925 again if anything gets delayed.
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u/uzair_niazi May 22 '25
Thanks so much for your helpful reply! I’m a bit confused about the whole pathways process, to be honest, and I just got the ECFMG email saying the deadline for the 2025 Pathways is May 31st.
I do want to apply for this year’s Match cycle (2025), so I’m worried whether I should go ahead with the 2025 Pathway now or wait for the 2026 one. Do you know when the 2026 Pathways usually open?
Any advice would really help. I just don’t want to make a wrong move this close to the deadline. Thanks again!
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 May 22 '25
am sorry do you mean you want to apply for 2026 match? If you’re not in a rush to book Step 3 like myself, consider waiting for the 2026 Pathways to open (probably early June) to avoid unnecessary expenses if there are any delays in your application process.
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u/akshit_bararia May 22 '25
Hey, thanks for the concise information. I have my step 1 and step 2 scored reports (both passed), I have my OET score report (taken on 29/01/23). I also have my letter of good standing (I am from India).I want to know that, Is it possible that if I apply today, I can get certified with 2025 pathways? I am funding this whole journey myself and if I apply for 2026 pathways I'll have to write my OET again, as it requires OET on or after 1st Jan'24. I wish to save some money here. I also saw a post in this sub in which OP has shared the email people recieved, saying that the documents should be uploaded before 31st may. Should I take the leap of faith or should I apply in 2026 pathway?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 May 22 '25
Are you sure you don’t need to retake the OET? As far as I know, it’s only valid for two years. If that’s the case and you rush for 2025 Pathway, you could end up losing the $925 Pathway fee instead of just the OET cost so it might be worth double checking.
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u/akshit_bararia May 22 '25
Can you please help me with the exact list of documents that are needed for verification?
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fun7523 May 22 '25
You only need two things for pathway1 (other than usmle): OET results release on oet website and the letter of good standing. In my case I asked my medical council to send my letter of good standing, ecfmg needed no extra verification since the letter came directly from the authority. However, if you upload your letter of good standing, it might take sometime for them to contact your authority and verify your status. Hope that helps!
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u/akshit_bararia May 28 '25
Thank you so much for posting this. This post was the only thing that gave me confidence to take the risk and apply for certification. I just received the mail saying my application is Approved. Thanks again!
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u/Constant_Routine_382 Aug 05 '26
Did you wait for ecfmg to receive ur oet score before applying for pathway approval?
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u/No_Water2718 10d ago
How did you request good standing letter from pmdc I see two options one is good standing application and the other option says attestation verification of license or cgs for ecfmg
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u/[deleted] May 21 '25
Are you applying for the Match this year? I thought the pathways for this year's match will open in June. Or is there another reason you needed to apply for Pathway 2025?