⚠️The ECFMG Certification Dilemma: Nepali Medical Graduates Left in Limbo Without Accreditation ⚠️
DOOR OF USMLE CLOSES FROM 2024
In 2010, ECFMG instituted medical school accreditation by a recognized accrediting agency as a future requirement for ECFMG Certification. This initiative is now known as the Recognized Accreditation Policy. "Recognized accreditation" means that the accrediting agency of a medical school has itself been reviewed and recognized by an external quality assurance organization. This quality assurance/recognition organization, in turn, has been reviewed and approved by ECFMG. Medical schools accredited by an agency that is recognized by an organization approved by ECFMG will satisfy the requirements of this policy. WFME is one of the organizations approved by ECFMG.
1. Nepal: As of April 17, 2023, there is no accrediting agency in Nepal listed on the WFME as recognized or in the process of applying for recognition.
2. India: The National Medical Commission (NMC) is currently applying for recognition.
3. China: The Working Committee for the Accreditation of Medical Education, Ministry of Education (WCAME), is recognized until June 2030.
4. Pakistan: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) is currently applying for recognition.
5.Bangladesh: As of April 17, 2023, there is no accrediting agency in Bangladesh listed on the WFME as recognized or in the process of applying for recognition.
6. Russia: The Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR) is recognized until January 2028.
7. Philippines: The Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) is recognized until April 2033.
It is a common misconception that ECFMG accredits schools. This is not true. ECFMG does not conduct visits and inspections to determine the quality of education. As long as a local government recognizes a business entity as a school, ECFMG has had no problems certifying them until now. With this new rule, ECFMG will be relying on recognized accrediting bodies to ensure that students receive the quality of education they need and deserve.
Medical schools without accreditation will attempt to obtain it between now and the end of 2023, but success is not likely. Obtaining accreditation is a lengthy process, and due to COVID, accrediting agencies have been slow to respond to new school applications. As a reminder, the announcement from ECFMG regarding this rule was made in 2010. If a medical school was unsuccessful in obtaining the necessary accreditation over the past 11 years, it is not likely to change that situation in the next 24 months. ECFMG is clear in defining which accrediting agencies' accreditations will be accepted under the Year 2024 rule. For the accreditation to be valid, the accrediting agency must be approved by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). The ECFMG Certification process will involve verifying that a medical school's accrediting agency is recognized by WFME.
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