ECFMG's Certification Verification Service (CVS) provides prompt, primary-source confirmation of an international medical graduate's ECFMG certification status. ECFMG provides this information to residency programs, state medical boards, and other organizations, such as hospitals and HMOs. These requesting organizations can request confirmation of ECFMG certification status via the Web using CVS-ONLINE. They may also refer to the instructions and request forms specific to each type of requesting organization. The following information pertains to all types of requesting organizations.
All requests must include the physician's:
- USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number,
- Name, and
- Date of Birth.
Requesting organizations must normally secure and retain the physician's signed authorization to obtain certification information. Organizations may not resell the ECFMG certification information or make it available to any party beyond the initial request as authorized by the physician. The information may only be used to confirm ECFMG Certification for the purpose for which the physician provided authorization.
The information provided in each request is compared to current ECFMG records, and a response is sent within two weeks of receipt of the request at ECFMG. Completed reports are printed on blue safety paper that contains a watermark of the ECFMG logo. If a request cannot be processed because of incomplete or inconsistent data, ECFMG will notify the requester in writing.
ECFMG does not accept requests by telephone, fax, or e-mail. A response will be sent via an express mail service if a prepaid airbill or express service account number is provided with the request form.