Before you can apply for a Virginia state medical license, you must first navigate complex training and exams that all medical graduates in the United States, including International Medical Graduates (IMGs), are required to complete.
It is not easy, but with commitment to completing the pathways, you can certainly be successful.
What Are the Pathways to IMG Training in Virginia?
- Path I – One year of graduate medical education (GME): Graduate from a medical school outside the United States or Canada, having a minimum of two years of education in that program.
You must obtain certification from the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), which involves passing steps one and two of the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE).
You also need to complete one year of GME as a resident, clinical fellow, or intern in the United States. This can be substituted with five or more continuous years of full-time practice under a limited professorial license in addition to one year of postgraduate training in a foreign country.
- Path II – Licensure by endorsement: This pathway allows for licensure without considering the location of medical training, provided the applicant has been licensed for a minimum of five years in a jurisdiction of the United States and holds board certification.
- Path III – University limited license: Provides a limited one-year license to practice medicine at an approved medical school or college in Virginia, specifically for roles such as professor or fellow.
How Do I Apply for Programs?
Once you’ve identified target residency programs, meet educational requirements, and are eligible to start the match process (around September), use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) through ECFMG to send applications and documents.
Register separately with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) by creating an account and providing necessary information.
Submit letters of recommendation from physicians who know your clinical skills and work ethic; typically, three to four letters are required.
Your personal statement should be tailored to each specialty.
Turn to Annandale Primary Care to Further Your Career
We are committed to top-tier teaching, training, and education of our community medical practitioners.
Contact us at 703-642-6633 today to learn more!