New ECFMG rule regarding Application Process for IMGs !

Hello fellow USMLE takers..
I woke up this morning and saw a quite panicky mail from ECFMG stating that my Certificate of Identification (CIN/ Form 186) has been invalidated. Well, that was scary ! (I think most of u had the similar experience)
Lets me share more about it - This is regarding the new modification of USMLE application process by ECFMG from 20th may 2009. So, what does this means to us? :

First of all, all those who have final ECFMG Certificate- Don't even bother reading this post, you all must have other things to take care of ;-)
Secondly, this will affect ONLY to those people who want to apply for any of the steps or want to apply for block extension for any of the steps.
Candidates who already have applied as a graduate and given one of the steps have a valid CIN (form 186) on file with ECFMG which (as per old rules) was valid for 5 years.
Now, according to this new modification, all the candidates, WHO HAVEN'T HAD THEIR MEDICAL SCHOOL CREDENTIALS VERIFIED BY ECFMG (DIPLOMA/ DEGREE & TRANSCRIPTS or Primary Source Verification, as ECFMG calls it)- have their CIN (form 186) 'Invalidated'.
So, if you want to apply for new exam OR want a block extension on presently approved exam, u will have to submit the "new form 186" attested by ur Med school dean or a Notary. (yes, again same way as u did it earlier). You will get this form 186 after completing the Online part of your respective exam or block extension application.

IMP: Now the catch is, if your med school "doesn't" participate in EMSWP, than this new form 186 has to be verified from the Med School, the procedure same as with Credential verification.

The Candidates who have got the Credentials verified (Primary Source Verification) don't need to worry !

Hope this post helps to shed more light on the issue. Anyone who still doesn't understand it, read the announcement again at ECFMG website -http://ecfmg.org/announce.htm#onlineapp-. Feel free to post any queries here !

Do share your views and comments.
Good luck.

P.S. : I don't understand why ECFMG haves this new complicated modifications to already complicated rules ! Making our already frantic lives more miserable...

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Comment by geeth sandeep on June 27, 2012 at 12:36am: im an IMG from india, i am applying for step 1as a graduate.. i will be sending the form 186 now, i will be receiving my final medical diploma next yr.. so how many days after i apply for step 1 will they invalidate my form 186.. will i be able to get a scheduling permit?

Comment by Shreyas on October 15, 2009 at 6:39pm: If you already have submitted them, then I guess u dont need to send them again.
But to be safe, send it. Its just the copy u have to send it. also, when u finish up the online part of step 2 CS, it will show which documents u need to send to ECFMG.

Comment by Joy M on October 15, 2009 at 1:58am: My Form 186 was invalidated too. I sent it before with the signature of a notary. Since I am applying for Step 2 CS I need o fill out a new Form 186 to be signed by the Dean. My question is, do I need to re-submit the diploma, transcript and Form 345 and Form 344?

Comment by Shreyas on June 18, 2009 at 8:12am: Hi Sudhir..
1) Yes, YOU CAN change ur CS exam date within the 1 year block period. As form 186 invalidation does not affect ur already approved exam permits.
2) ECFMG will take some time to verify the documents, BUT ur 186 invalidation WILL NOT affect it.

Comment by SUDHIR on June 17, 2009 at 10:34pm: hi, Iam an IMG from India. I completed my step1, then applied for step 2cs and got my schedule permit and thevalidity of my step2 cs block is till march 2010. In the mean Time I GOT THE NEWS of invalidation of my form 186. SO is it possible for me to change dates in between the stipulated 1 year period?pleasereply . Actually what happend is that the necessary documentation to ecfmg for verification were sent in the time limit from my med college ,but again i needed to send the documentation as the forms were not filled to their entirity (that was what i was informed by ecfmg). The ecfmg authority intimated that the college people missed a check box to be marked. i thought of sending the documentation after some time thinking that i have time to send the documentation. THERE CAME THE BOMB OF MY INVALIDATIO OF MY FORM186. SO QUICKLY I SENT THE ALREADY SENT VERIFICATION FORM THROUGH MY MED COLLEGE. NOW IN M Y OASIS ACCOUNT I SEE THAT THE ECFMG PEOPLE RECIVED MY FORMS BUT VERIFICATION IS PENDING. NEED I HAVE TO APPLY AGAIN? OR WILL THEY TAKE TIME FOR VERIFICATION OF THE FORMS? Any one please give ur valuable suggestions.

Comment by confuzhn on May 28, 2009 at 2:34am: thank you:)

Comment by Shreyas on May 27, 2009 at 11:46pm: If you have a scheduling permit for a test, then u DO NOT need to submit form 186 again, if its within the 3 month block period.
If your form 186 has been invalidated and u want to apply for a new exam, u will need to submit a new form 186.

Comment by confuzhn on May 27, 2009 at 12:10pm: i already have my scheduling permit for Step 1 (exam is a few months from now), i changed the date but it's still within the SAME 3 month block... do i have to send form 186 again ? How about when i want to register for step 2ck, do i have to send it again?

thanks:)

Comment by suraj pratap on May 25, 2009 at 3:01am: thnx :)

Comment by RCLATHA on May 21, 2009 at 9:31pm: I received similar email too. I wasted almost a year getting necessary credentials from my med school. Just was thinking it's all done and here comes this bomber!!!!!!!!!!!!. Why in the world USMLE made this change - Just to frustrate the IMG's even more. ????!!!!!!!!!!????

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