Starting September 2018, ECFMG has now made it compulsory for international medical graduates to fill out an ECFMG Form 186. This process is required in order to proceed further with your USMLE applications. Without filling Form 186, you cannot get access to the link to apply for USMLE.
Here is a complete guide about how you should go about filling ECFMG Form 186.
Step 1: Download ECFMG Form 186
When you log in to your ECFMG applicant portal, you will see a link that opens up your form 18 in a PDF format. The first page of the PDF looks like this:
The second page will have your personal details pre filled. It will look something like this:
Read through the information carefully.
Step 2: Upload your documents on the NotaryCam Website
This is a website that provides online notary services. Go to the ECFMG portal of NotaryCam. The page will look like this
On the next screen, you will be asked to fill your personal details as well as upload the Form 186 that you downloaded from the ECFMG website.
Click Submit.
Step 3: Book an interview appointment
Once you submit the form, you will receive an email from NotaryCam saying that they will verify your document.
This is a relatively quick process and you will receive another email (typically within 15-20 minutes) saying that your document is verified and you can proceed for your session with an online notary.
You have one of two options here
- Proceed with the online session immediately
- Book a date for your online session
Step 4 : The Online Session
Before you start your session make sure you have 2 important things
- You are dressed appropriately
- Your passport should be handy
You will be taken to an online chatroom with your document already uploaded. Once the notary official is ready for the session, you will see a blinking message that allows you to turn on your computer’s webcam.
The people on the other end are really nice, they will ask you for a few things:
- To confirm your personal details
- To show your passport on the laptop screen for verification
- To place a digital signature on the already uploaded form 186
Once this is done, they will tell you that everything is OK and that they will forward the document to ECFMG. You can exit the chat screen now.
Step 5 : Waiting for ECFMG Verification
This can take a few days. The ECFMG will notify you once your Form 186 is accepted!
Congratulations! You have just completed your Form 186. You can now log into your ECFMG account and find a link to the Form 183. The steps for the rest of the application are the same as mentioned in my article on The [6 Step] USMLE Application guide.
This article has been written by Dr. Rohit Nathani who is an intern at Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai, India. To ask questions, use the comments section below.