Key facts
- Your medical school must be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with an ECFMG Sponsor Note.
- Your graduation year must be covered by the years stated in the Sponsor Note.
- If your school's listing has no ECFMG Sponsor Note, you are not eligible for ECFMG Certification.
- ECFMG states you must have been awarded credit for at least four credit years by a listed school.
To be eligible for ECFMG Certification, your medical school must appear in the World Directory of Medical Schools with an ECFMG Sponsor Note, and your graduation year must be included in that note. If either is missing, you cannot be certified on that school's degree. Check this before you pay for anything else.
What the World Directory is #
The World Directory of Medical Schools (at wdoms.org) is a public listing of medical schools worldwide. For schools that satisfy ECFMG's requirements, the listing includes a note stating that the school meets eligibility requirements for its students and graduates to apply to ECFMG for certification and examination.
Being listed is not enough. The directory exists for many purposes, and plenty of schools are listed without the ECFMG note.
How to check your school #
- Go to the World Directory and search for your school by name or location.
- Open the school's listing and find the Sponsor Notes tab.
- Look for an ECFMG Sponsor Note.
- Read the graduation years it covers. Your graduation year must be inside that range.
- Save a screenshot or PDF with the date you checked.
The four credit years rule #
ECFMG also requires that you were awarded credit for at least four credit years by a school with an ECFMG Sponsor Note. This matters for transfer students and anyone who completed part of their program elsewhere. If you transferred, read the Information Booklet's rules on transfer credit, and expect ECFMG to ask for a transfer credit transcript from the other school.
Why graduation year matters #
A school's eligibility can change over time, for example after accreditation changes. The Sponsor Note therefore lists specific graduation years. A school may be eligible for the 2020 cohort and not for 2026, or the reverse. For the reason behind these year-based limits, see the accreditation requirement guide.
What to do if you have a problem #
- School missing from the directory. Contact the school's international or registrar office and ECFMG. Schools can ask to be listed, but the process is the school's, not yours.
- Listing but no Sponsor Note. Ask ECFMG why, and read the current Information Booklet for any rules affecting your situation.
- Graduation year outside the note. Ask whether an updated note is expected. Do not assume it will be extended.
- Name change or merger. Schools that merged or renamed can have more than one listing. Check the one that issued your diploma.
If you are still a student, check the status of your expected graduation year, not only today's listing. Eligibility is year-specific, and you want to know before your final years, not after.
What is different for IMGs #
Graduates of US and Canadian schools accredited by the usual US bodies do not go through this. For IMGs it is the first eligibility gate. Note that for graduates of Canadian schools on or after July 1, 2025, ECFMG states they are considered IMGs for the purpose of entering US GME, so check the Information Booklet if that is you.
Common mistakes #
- Assuming a school that is "recognized" in your country is eligible for ECFMG.
- Reading an old screenshot or forum post instead of the live listing.
- Checking the school but not the graduation year.
- Starting the USMLE application before checking eligibility.
What comes next #
If your school and year are eligible, move on to credential verification through EPIC. If you are unsure how the accreditation requirement applies, read the accreditation guide. The overview shows how it all fits.
Frequently asked questions
My school is in the World Directory. Am I eligible?
Not automatically. The listing must carry an ECFMG Sponsor Note, and your graduation year must fall within the years that note covers.
What if my school has no ECFMG Sponsor Note?
ECFMG says you are not eligible for ECFMG Certification on that basis. Contact your school and ECFMG, and read the current Information Booklet for any exceptions before assuming anything.
Does my school need to be in the World Directory to use EPIC for other purposes?
ECFMG has said EPIC credentials for other organizations do not have to be from a listed school, but that is separate from ECFMG Certification, which does require eligibility.
Can a school's status change after I enroll?
Yes. The Sponsor Note lists the graduation years covered, so a school's status can differ between cohorts. Check the year you will graduate, not only the school name.
Sources
- ECFMG 2026 Information Booklet: Requirements for ECFMG Certification
- ECFMG 2026 Information Booklet: Medical Education Credential Requirements
- World Directory of Medical Schools
Found something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the source.