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ELIGIBILITY FOR APPOINTMENT

ACGME Institutional Requirements state that accredited programs may only select applicants who are graduates of:

1. medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) OR

2. colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) OR

3. medical schools outside the United States and Canada and who have:

3.1. received a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates prior to appointment OR
3.2. a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a US licensing jurisdiction in which they are in training OR

4. medical schools outside the United States who have completed a Fifth Pathway* program provided by an LCME-accredited medical school.

www.acgme.org/acWebsithttp://e/irc/irc_IRCpr703.asp

Please refer to the Bylaws of the Professional/Medical Staff for Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital for more information

Documents you will need to provide include, but are not limited to:

1. three (3) letters of recommendation

2. a copy of your medical school transcript/diploma

3. a completed Initial Credentialing Application

4. a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form
www.is.partners.org/registrar/Forms/Default.htm

5. an application for a limited (or full) Massachusetts license
www.massmedboard.org/regs/

Foreign nationals/international medical graduates must have:

1. a valid visa appropriate to the level of training
www.unitedstatesvisas.gov

2. a valid ECFMG certificate (if applicable)
www.ecfmg.org/cert/certfact.html

3. passing scores on USMLE steps 1 and 2, or equivalent
www.usmle.org

VISA OPTIONS FOR CLINICAL TRAINEES

F-1: Students ("plus one year" GME)
Foreign nationals holding an F-1 visa who have graduated from a U.S. medical school are eligible for one year of practical training on the F-1 visa. Such employment must be an extension of their academic studies. Students obtain an employment authorization document (EAD) identification card with the dates of validity inscribed. A change of visa status will be needed to continue employment (i.e., residency/fellowship training) beyond the expiration date on the EAD.

J-1: Exchange Visitors (Clinical)
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is authorized by the United States Department of State (DoS) to sponsor foreign national physicians as exchange visitors in accredited programs of graduate medical education or training. ECFMG is the sole sponsor of J-1 physicians in clinical training programs in the United States. Foreign national physicians applying for ECFMG sponsorship must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a valid ECFMG Certificate [NB: graduates of LCME-accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools are not required to be ECFMG-certified, but must submit a certified, translated copy of their medical school diploma.]
• Hold a contract or an official letter of offer for a position in an accredited training program that is affiliated with a medical school
• Provide a statement of need from the Ministry of Health of the country of nationality or last legal permanent residence. This statement must provide written assurance that the country needs specialists in the area in which the exchange visitor will receive training and that s/he will return to the country upon completion of training.

J-2: Dependent
The J-2 visa permits a spouse accompanying a J-1 visa holder to work in the U.S. after obtaining an employment authorization document (EAD). A J-2 visa holder is not limited in the type of employment s/he may seek. Employment authorization is issued in one-year increments and must be renewed prior to expiration to avoid employment interruption. J-2 visa holders may not remain in the U.S. beyond the stay of the spouse on the J-1.

H-1B: Professionals in Specialty Occupations
The H-1B is a temporary nonimmigrant visa defined as a “specialty occupation” visa, which permits professionals to work in the U.S. for a total of six years. The Immigration Act of 1990 opened the door for foreign physicians to perform clinical work via the H-1B visa. Eligibility relies upon successful completion of the following:

1. Graduates of International Medical Schools:

• USMLE, I-III OR
• FLEX, I and II AND a Massachusetts medical license (limited or full) AND a valid ECFMG Certificate (Canadian medical school graduates are exempt)

2. Graduates of U.S. Medical Schools:

• Proof of graduation AND a Massachusetts medical license (limited or full)

The H-1B application is a two step process involving both the U.S. Department of Labor and the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The Partners Office for International Staff, Scholars and Students (PIO) prepares all visa applications and will work with the applicants and program directors to obtain the necessary documentation.

O-1: Alien of Extraordinary Ability
An O-1 visa is reserved for those who can demonstrate that they have risen to the top of their field; therefore, extensive documentation must be submitted in support of an O-1 petition. Such documentation includes awards, publications, media mention and very strong letters of recommendation from persons prominent in the field.

MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL LICENSURE

According to M.G.L. c. 112, 9, the Board may issue a limited license to an international medical graduate who, among other qualifications, holds a standard certificate granted after an examination by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Effective July 1, 1997, the Board of Registration in Medicine will only issue limited licenses to those international medical graduates who have obtained an ECFMG certificate by passing United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Steps 1 and 2. In addition, FULL licensure requires USMLE Step 3 and two years of U.S. clinical training.

TRAINEE CONTRACT AND BENEFITS

Matriculants will be asked to sign a contract ("Graduate Trainee Benefits and Responsibilities") before or upon arrival for a term of one year. The current "template" of the contract and policies that will be attached to it can be found on the GME website:

www.partners.org/research/gme/research_gme_trainee.html

USMLE COMPLETION FOR RESIDENTS

Applicability: Residents and Clinical Fellows (physician trainees) offered their position on or after July 2005.

• Documentation of successful completion of USMLE Step II must be submitted for initial appointment as a resident or clinical fellow (or for reappointment, if not previously provided).

• Documentation of successful completion of USMLE Step III is required for appointment (or reappointment) at the PGY 3 level or higher.

• Documentation of successful completion of USMLE Step III is required for graduation from all Partners residency and fellowship programs.

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