International Medical Graduates (IMG)

Links to external websites are provided as a courtesy. They are neither a guarantee nor an endorsement by the AAFP of the products or services offered on other websites.

Licensing and Documentation

• Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates

  ECFMG's program of certification assesses the readiness of IMGs to enter residency or fellowship programs in the United States that are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

• Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States Inc.

  National organization comprised of the 70 medical boards of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

  Information on citizenship and immigration.

Information Center

• Ethnic Physician Organization Listing

  Listing of various ethnic physician organizations.

• Guidelines for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Who Wish to Enter a U.S. Training Program

  Provides general information for international medical graduates who wish to enter a U.S. residency program.

• Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs)

  Provides information regarding HPSAs, which may have shortages of primary medical care, dental or mental health providers and may be urban or rural areas, population groups or medical or other public facilities.

• AAFP CareerLink

  AAFP CareerLink is an information exchange between physicians and other family medicine educators seeking a position and "opportunities" -- including physicians, communities, hospitals, faculty programs, and others who are seeking candidates to join their organization.

• The Physician Reentry into the Workforce Project

  Web site provides information regarding physician reentry into practice -- an issue that cuts across genders and specialties.

Preparation for Residency

• ECFMG Certificate Holders Office (ECHO)

  ECHO is committed to providing support and service to ECFMG-certified physicians as they plan their careers.

• What Residency Applicant IMGs Need to Know When Applying to US Family Medicine Programs

  Information for IMGs looking to apply to US family medicine residency programs.

• The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)

  A private, not-for-profit corporation providing a uniform date of appointment to positions in graduate medical education (GME) in the United States.