The trend of globalization has made it easier for professionals in many fields to find employment opportunities abroad. However, this does not necessarily apply to the medical field, particularly when it comes to foreign physicians in the United States. Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) are often required to complete several educational courses that may not have been part of their medical school curriculum abroad.
Where you earned your medical education impacts where you can practice medicine. For instance, the education required to become a practicing doctor in the United States (US) involves years of education and extensive clinical hours. Foreign-trained doctors living in the US must complete additional education beyond the degree they’ve already earned.
Understanding U.S. Medical Education for ECFMG Certification
In general, students who wish to practice medicine in the U.S. must first earn a college degree that includes at least three years of pre-medical education. A Bachelor of Science degree in health science, chemistry, or biology typically aligns with the pre-med path, and some schools offer programs that are exclusively pre-med focused on gaining admission to medical school. Once admitted, the next four years will be spent in pre-clinical and clinical education periods, culminating in graduation and the award of a Doctor of Medicine degree, followed by internship and residency.
Why Foreign Doctors Need Extra Education for U.S. Medical Jobs
It’s said that the US has high-quality standards when it comes to medical education. Although foreign doctors may have received high-quality training in their home country, the American medical industry requires specific steps to ensure that foreign doctors seeking to practice medicine in the US have completed American educational training.
If you are a foreign doctor interested in practicing medicine in the US, then you’ll need to prepare to pass the US Medical Licensing Exams, get certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign-Trained Medical Graduates, enroll in a residency program, and then take a third licensing test.
Generally speaking, the curriculum for some overseas education usually focuses on fieldwork (primarily hands-on knowledge and skills). US standards require that doctors be fluent in the English language and have a foundational math and science background in preparation for the core requirements set by medical schools’ accreditors, such as:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- College Algebra
- Physics
- Calculus
- Biochemistry
- Research Writing
- Genetics
Why Practicing Medicine in the U.S. Means Starting Over for Many FMGs
Many doctors will have years of experience diagnosing, treating patients, and administering medicine. However, to practice as a doctor in the US, most foreign-trained doctors must start over academically.
FMGs whose medical education is deemed insufficient in areas such as algebra, biochemistry, physics, molecular biology, and research writing often feel they must start over in the U.S. This can lead to frustration, causing many to take jobs unrelated to the medical field.
Foreign-trained doctors are critical to addressing these shortages, accounting for important shares of primary-care physicians in the United States. Nearly a third (31.8%) of all doctors specializing in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics—three specialties associated with primary healthcare—are foreign-trained.
ECFMG Certification Support and Career Options at FNU
Whereas many American doctors can practice in Europe and other countries abroad with fewer hurdles, many foreign doctors come to the US on a work visa. They work as Patient Care Technicians, Medical Assistants, or Registered Nurses. Some might even transition into the technical side of the healthcare industry and work as a laboratory technician.
To practice medicine in the US, the first thing to do is earn a pre-med degree. Florida National University offers two degree options that would allow FMGs to enroll in medical school after graduation. Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program will certainly guide you toward a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. The Bachelor’s in Natural Science will prepare you to take the ECFMG certification exams and complete the match process. You’ll study under the instruction of the professional faculty members who have years of experience in the field.
Florida National University is an accredited private college granting degrees in healthcare, such as:
- Nursing
- Natural Sciences
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Radiologic Technology
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
The accreditation entities that recognize FNU as a degree-granting institution include:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Florida Board of Nursing
Florida National University acknowledges and values diversity in its student body and the South Florida community. As a school that truly cares about the professional development of international students, Florida National University recommends the following paths for FMGs:
- Complete the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and work in the medical field, or continue to a graduate degree program with our Master of Science in Nursing program without leaving FNU. The scope of registered nurses in Florida has expanded significantly in recent years, and some choose to become nursing practitioners to advance their knowledge and practice independently in healthcare.
- Complete the Bachelor’s in Natural Science program, which has many similarities to a pre-med degree program, and apply to medical school or follow the ECFMG pathway.
Start Your U.S. Medical Career Journey with ECFMG Certification Support
In the end, FMGs should not feel dispirited by the challenging process of entering the medical field in the US. With Florida National University as an education partner, you have the peace of mind of an accredited institution that offers financial aid and scholarships to qualified applicants.Â
With numerous options for foreign doctors in the US healthcare sector, our Bachelor of Natural Science program can pave the way. If you are already working, you can take advantage of our online and hybrid education modalities. For more information about how Florida National University can help foreign doctors in the U.S., get in touch with an admissions counselor today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About ECFMG Certification and Foreign Doctors in the U.S.
What is ECFMG certification, and why is it important?
ECFMG certification is a required credential for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who want to apply for residency training and medical licensure in the United States. It confirms that their medical education meets U.S. standards.
What are the steps to get ECFMG certification?
To obtain ECFMG certification, foreign-trained doctors must:
- Verify their medical school credentials
- Pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK
- Demonstrate English language proficiency.
- Apply through the ECFMG portal and submit the required documentation.
Can foreign doctors work in the U.S. without ECFMG certification?
Foreign doctors cannot practice as licensed physicians in the U.S. without ECFMG certification. However, they may work in related roles such as medical assistant, patient care technician, or registered nurse if they pursue additional training and licensure.
What jobs are available for foreign doctors in the U.S.?
Foreign-trained physicians often take on healthcare roles such as:
- Patient Care Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Registered Nurse
- Laboratory Technician
These jobs help them remain in the healthcare field while working toward U.S. licensure.
How can Florida National University support foreign-trained doctors?
Florida National University offers academic programs like the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Bachelor of Natural Sciences, which prepare foreign doctors to pursue ECFMG certification or transition into alternative medical careers in the U.S.
