UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2022

During the process to obtain a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number, you will be asked to provide certain biographic information, including your name. You must enter your name exactly as it appears on your current, unexpired passport. Do not attempt to expedite the process of obtaining a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number by submitting a partial or abbreviated name. The name you provide will become part of your permanent ECFMG record and must match exactly the name in your passport.

• Be careful that you enter your name in the appropriate fields. Your surname(s)/family name(s) must be entered in the “Last Name” field. Your first and middle names/initials must be entered in the “Rest of Name” field.
  
  
• If your name on your passport consists of one name only, you must enter this name in the “Last Name” field. Do not enter any characters in the “Rest of Name” field. Your USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number will be issued only after ECFMG verifies that you only bear one official name. You will receive instructions by e-mail on how to verify that you only have one name.
  
  
• If your surname (family name) consists of more than one name, enter each of the names in the “Last Name” field.
  
  
• Enter your first name in the “Rest of Name” field. Do not enter an initial only for your first name unless it exactly matches what is on your official form of identification, such as your passport. If your name includes a middle name or middle initial; enter the middle name/initial in the “Rest of Name” field.
  
  
• If your name on your passport includes a generational suffix, select the appropriate suffix from the drop down list.
  
  
• A generational suffix is an element of a name used to identify the person by generation, such as “Junior”, “Senior”, or “III”. Mr., Ms., Dr. are not generational suffices and must not be entered. If your name includes a generational suffix, select the appropriate generational suffix from the drop down list.
  
  
• Spell your name correctly.
  It is your responsibility to ensure the proper spelling of the name in your ECFMG record. Review the spelling of your name carefully to ensure that it exactly matches your name as it appears on your passport before you click “Submit” at the end of the process.
  
  
• Use proper capitalization when entering your name.
  This means you must capitalize letters in your name as it should be written. Do not use all capital or all lowercase letters.
  
  
• Use Latin characters only.
  This means you must use only the 26 Latin characters of the English alphabet. ECFMG will not accept any non-Latin characters even though your personal computer may allow you to enter other characters.
  
  
• Use of hyphens in names
  If your name on your passport includes hyphens between any of the surnames (family names) you enter in the “Last Name” field or any of the given names you enter in the “Rest of Name” field, ensure that you enter them appropriately.
  
  
• Spaces between names
  If your name on your passport includes spaces between any of the surnames (family names) you enter in the “Last Name” field or any of the given names you enter in the “Rest of Name” field, you must ensure that you properly indicate the location of the spaces.
  

The information you provide to obtain a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number will become a part of your permanent ECFMG record. Do not attempt to expedite the process by submitting incomplete or inaccurate information. Falsification of information on applications, submissions, or other materials to ECFMG may result in a determination of irregular behavior. ECFMG may report a determination of irregular behavior to the USMLE Committee for Individualized Review, Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States, U.S. state and international medical licensing authorities, graduate medical education programs, and to any other organization or individual who, in the judgment of ECFMG, has a legitimate interest in such information. Applicants should review and be familiar with the Policies and Procedures Regarding Irregular Behavior. Applicants intending to apply for USMLE examinations in order to meet the examination requirements for ECFMG Certification must read and familiarize themselves with the USMLE Bulletin of Information.

If ECFMG determines that the information you have provided is sufficient to assign a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number, the number assigned to you will be sent to the e-mail address you provide during this request process.

Allow approximately 5 business days for ECFMG to process your request for a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number. If you requested a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number within the last 5 business days, do not submit another request. Duplicate requests for USMLE/ECFMG Identification Numbers will delay the processing of your request.

If ECFMG determines that the biographic information you enter is inaccurate, not complete or insufficient to assign a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number to you, we will contact you to resolve the issue. If you do not respond to our inquiry within five business days, your request for the USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number will not be processed, and you will need to apply again to obtain a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number.

If you are completing the authentication process because you already have a USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number but forgot it, the number assigned to you will be sent to your e-mail address of record.