EPIC: Verifying Your Medical Credentials

ECFMG verifies your medical credentials by contacting your school directly: it checks your final medical diploma with the school's officials and asks the school to send your final transcript. You cannot speed this up by mailing documents yourself, so the best strategy is to start early and keep your school responsive.

What counts as credentials #

ECFMG needs documents showing that you completed all requirements for your medical degree and received the final medical diploma. Alongside the diploma, ECFMG requests the final medical school transcript. If you earned credit at other schools, it may also require a transfer credit transcript.

Documents not in English need an official English translation that meets ECFMG's requirements.

Your credentials are not considered complete until ECFMG receives and accepts verification of these documents directly from the issuing school.

The process #

1. Upload copies through MyIntealth. Copies you mail, courier or email are not accepted.
2. ECFMG contacts your school. It sends a verification request to the appropriate officials.
3. Your school responds. It confirms the diploma and sends the transcript.
4. ECFMG reviews and accepts the verification. Only then are your credentials complete.

If your school charges a fee for verification, you pay the school, not ECFMG, and ECFMG will tell you to contact the school about it.

If your diploma is not issued yet #

Many graduates wait months for a diploma. ECFMG allows a letter signed by an authorized school official in the meantime, and then expects the diploma once it is issued. Read the current Information Booklet for the exact conditions.

What EPIC is, and how it differs #

EPIC stands for Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials. It is an ECFMG service in which your credentials are verified once and then shared with state medical boards, hospitals and other organizations that need them. It is built on the same kind of direct verification with your school.

Two points often cause confusion:

• You are not required to use EPIC for ECFMG Certification. Certification has its own credentials process.
• Requirements differ by organization. Some regulators want the diploma only, some want the diploma and transcript, and some say the school must be in the World Directory. ECFMG's own FAQ notes that credentials in EPIC for other purposes do not need to come from a school listed in the World Directory, but you should check with the organization that is asking.

Many people use the word "EPIC" loosely to mean any ECFMG credential check. When someone asks for "EPIC verification," ask which organization needs it and what exactly it wants.

What is different for IMGs #

US graduates do not need this. For IMGs it is the step most likely to stall, because it depends on staff at your school, sometimes in a country with slow postal or email systems, and sometimes on a fee. Many delays arise from outside ECFMG's control.

How to avoid delays #

• Warn your school first. Email the registrar or international office so they expect the request and know it is legitimate.
• Give them a contact. If your school asks for a named contact or a form, provide it quickly.
• Check your name. If your name on the diploma differs from your passport, expect questions. Raise it early.
• Keep your contact details current in MyIntealth.
• Follow up politely and on a schedule, not daily.
• Keep proof. Save copies of every request and payment.

Common mistakes #

• Mailing originals or certified copies to ECFMG when it only accepts uploads.
• Assuming verification is automatic once you pay.
• Not telling the school to expect the request.
• Treating EPIC and certification credentials as the same thing.

What comes next #

With credentials moving, plan your exams using the certification overview and USMLE eligibility. Later in the cycle, you will request an ERAS token.