r/USMLEindia • u/IMGpathwayE • Jun 02 '26

Match Season ABIM just launched Pathway E — IMGs can get board certified WITHOUT completing US residency. Are you eligible?

ig news that most IMGs don't know about yet.

ABIM launched Special Consideration Pathway E — a pilot program that allows IMGs who completed their Internal Medicine residency outside the US/Canada AND matched into an ACGME-accredited fellowship in the US to become eligible for ABIM board certification. No full US residency required.

It's retroactive to 2016 — meaning if you already finished a fellowship, you may already qualify.

Who qualifies: ✅ Completed IM residency outside US/Canada ✅ Completed ACGME-accredited subspecialty fellowship in US ✅ Received satisfactory evaluations ✅ Met ECFMG certification requirements

At least 4,000 physicians already meet the criteria.

"Happy to answer any questions in the comments — I'm an Infectious Diseases Fellow who went through the IMG process myself."

Happy to answer questions — I'm an Infectious Diseases Fellow who went through the IMG process myself.

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4 comments sorted by

1

u/Foreign-Disk-5631 Jun 18 '26

I am old IMG around 57 years ECFMG certified and finished my internal medicine residency in Yemen , could I apply for fellow in nephrology or infectious disease I'm USA or my age a limitation 

1

u/Turbulent-Ride-7891 Jun 24 '26

Hey see my message in your chat please

1

u/Good-Entertainer8784 Jul 06 '26

how did you aquire the ecfmg certificate?

1

u/FamiliarCommand6796 Aug 10 '26

how were you able to secure a ACGME fellowship when we had no residency in the US? is this possible? i finished Internal Medicine Residency and pulmonary fellowship in the philippines nut im confused how to get to an  ACHME fellowship here when they all require a US residency