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Information for Foreign Medical Graduates


Requirements for UCSF Residencies & Clinical Fellowships:

Thank you for your interest in the Graduate Medical Training Programs at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The following provides information on what you must accomplish prior to applying to our clinical training programs:


Description of the Process:
STEP ONE

You must hold a current, valid certificate from the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This is mandatory for appointment at this Institution as well as for medical licensure in the State of California. You will need to contact the ECFMG directly and arrange to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). After you pass the examination, including the English test, you will be granted an ECFMG certificate.

If you are not a citizen of the United States, and you do not hold Permanent Resident status, you will be required to secure the ECFMG-J1 visa to enter this institution for medical training. The University does not sponsor H 1 visas for medical trainees.

The following is the address of the ECFMG:

  Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates
3624 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685 U.S.A.
Telephone: 215-386-5900
Website: http://www.ecfmg.org

STEP TWO

After you have received your ECFMG certificate, and prior to applying for training at UCSF, you must contact the California Medical Board (CMB). The address is on the reverse of this letter. The CMB will require that you complete their application form and submit various documents and records along with a processing fee. Upon a successful review of your application credentials, your education, and your USMLE scores, the CMB will issue an "Applicant Evaluation Status Letter." This letter enables you to make application for training at UCSF. A copy of this letter should be submitted with your UCSF application.

The following is the address of the CMB:

  Medical Board of California
1426 Howe Avenue, Suite 54
Sacramento, CA 95825-3236 U.S.A.
Telephone: 916-263-2344
Website: http://www.medbd.ca.gov

STEP THREE

If you are applying for a first year training position filled through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), it will be necessary for you to register with that organization.

The following is the address of the NRMP:

  National Resident Matching Program
2450 "N" Street, NW Suite 201
Washington, D.C. 20037-1141 U.S.A.
Telephone: 202-828-0676
Website: http://www.aamc.org/nrmp/

STEP FOUR

To apply at UCSF, you must write to the Department Program Director of the Department in which you hope to train. The Department will send you their application packet. Return the completed application to the Department with a copy of your ECFMG certificate and a copy of your evaluation letter from the California Medical Board. Your application will then be considered along with other applications received by the Department.

Most training programs gather applications throughout the year and select candidates in February to begin training four months later on July 1. As the above procedures are lengthy, you should organize your activities to accommodate the date and time requirements.

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