The Medical Residency process. 

Getting into a Medical Residency training program is a long and tedious process. It starts with preparing for and taking the USMLE Step 1, Step 2 exams and getting ECFMG certified. Then You have to register with the ERAS to participate in the Residency Match. Once you tell ERAS which programs you are interested in, your Residency application is transmitted electronically to these programs. The residency Program Direcotrs will then review your application materials and call the selected applicants for an interview. You will visit these programs and take part in the oneday interview process, usually between October and January of the interview season. In February you will submit your ROL - Rank Order List to ERAS / NRMP and the residency Programs will do the same. The computers at NRMP will then to do an optimal match between the Residency Programs and the applicants. The results are released on match week usually around March 15. The Residency Programs will then send you their contracts and you will start to prepare for your employment as a PGY 1 Intern. Most Residency Programs then start their Internship year on July 1.

Purpose of ECFMG & USMLE.

Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates - ECFMG, was established to assess the competence of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG) to enter medical residency and fellowship programs in the U.S. In order to join a medical residency program, you will need a ECFMG certificate. All foreign medical graduates are required to take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) to get ECFMG certified. By issuing this certificate, ECFMG certifies that you have completed all requirements to begin your internship, residency or fellowship. The USMLE exam consists of three components: Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3.

Where Can I get more information on USMLE & Residency?