Update: Pathways for ECFMG Certification for 2022 Match

Detailed Information, On-line Application for Pathways 1-5 Now Available

The 2022 Pathways application process for Pathways 1-5 is now open. Qualified international medical graduates (IMGs) who need to meet the clinical and communication skills requirements for ECFMG Certification and who intend to participate in the 2022 National Resident Matching Program^® (NRMP^®) Main Residency Match^® (The Match^®) can apply to a Pathway to meet these requirements for ECFMG Certification and the requirements for Match participation.

The information available on ECFMG’s website includes:

Eligibility requirements and detailed instructions for applying to Pathways 1-5, including information on required documentation and application timing. Also included is important information for medical schools and for 2021 Pathway applicants.
Access to the on-line Application for Pathways for ECFMG Certification for 2022 Match for Pathways 1-5.

As announced previously, ECFMG|FAIMER has added a sixth Pathway for 2022. The application process for Pathway 6 is expected to open in July. Preliminary information on Pathway 6 is available now, and additional details and instructions for meeting the requirements for Pathway 6 will be provided as soon as they are available. Please monitor the ECFMG website for the steps that applicants can take before July to prepare for Pathway 6.

Step 1 Pass/Fail Score Reporting Implementation Date

United States Medical Licensing Examination^® (USMLE^®) Step 1 score reporting will transition to pass/fail outcomes only for administrations on or after January 26, 2022. Step 1 examinations administered before January 26 will include a three-digit numeric score.

Outcomes for Step 1 administrations occurring before January 26, 2022 will continue to include a three-digit score and pass/fail. Step 2 Clinical Knowledge and Step 3 examinations will continue to be reported as a three-digit score and pass/fail.

On February 12, 2020, the USMLE program announced it would change Step 1 score reporting to a pass/fail outcome no earlier than January 1, 2022. In taking this action, the USMLE’s co-sponsors—the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners^® (NBME^®)—considered the broad range of input received from the Invitational Conference on USMLE Scoring (InCUS), the subsequent InCUS report and its preliminary recommendations, and the extensive feedback and national conversation that preceded and followed the conference.

Additional information regarding the change to reporting Step 1 outcomes as pass/fail can be found here: https://www.usmle.org/incus/#decision.