The United States attracts doctors with its residency system and salaries, and the route is the same for graduates of all foreign medical schools: ECFMG certification, then residency, then a state licence. What matters most is choosing the right university at the start, because ECFMG checks the school, not just your exam results.
Step zero: the right university
ECFMG certification is only possible if your medical school’s entry in the World Directory of Medical Schools has an ECFMG Sponsor Note, and your graduation year must be covered by that note. Since 2024 the school must also be accredited by an agency recognised by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). For our countries this looks as follows:
- Georgia: the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement (NCEQE) has WFME recognition until 2028.
- Poland: the Polish Accreditation Committee (PKA) received WFME recognition in September 2025, valid until 30 September 2035.
- Ukraine: the WFME lists the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR), recognised until January 2028, among the agencies serving Ukraine. Check whether your university holds such accreditation.
If a school loses its accreditation before you are certified, you may not be able to finish the exams, so we check the current status of every university before you enrol.
From student to doctor in the USA
- USMLE Step 1 The first exam, on the basic medical sciences. Students of eligible schools can also apply. USMLE practice questions are available on Medmigrant, our learning platform.
- USMLE Step 2 CK The exam on clinical knowledge.
- English and communication Through an ECFMG pathway you show your clinical and communication skills, including a satisfactory score on the Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine.
- ECFMG certification You need credit for at least four years of medical studies and your final diploma. The ACGME requires international graduates entering accredited residency programmes to be certified by ECFMG.
- Residency You apply for a residency programme in your chosen specialty.
- State licence The licence to practise is issued by the medical board of the state where you will work, and each state has its own rules.
Transfers
If you start in one university and finish in another, you must disclose and document the transferred credits when you apply to ECFMG. Credits can only be transferred from one medical school to the school that awards your final degree, so plan a transfer carefully.
Which country is best for the USA?
The exam route is the same for Ukraine, Georgia and Poland. The differences are in the cost of studies and in whether your particular university meets the ECFMG requirements in your graduation year.
Frequently asked questions
Is a degree from Ukraine recognised in the USA?
There is no automatic recognition in the USA for any foreign degree. Graduates from Ukraine, Georgia and Poland take the same route through ECFMG, provided the school meets the ECFMG requirements.
When should I start preparing?
Ideally during your studies. Step 1 covers the basic sciences, so many students take it while this material is still fresh, and Step 2 CK later, in the clinical years.
How can Edumetric help?
We help you choose a university with an ECFMG Sponsor Note and the right accreditation, and plan your studies so that the documents are ready. Book a free consultation.
Read also: Studying medicine in Ukraine: is it a good idea?, Studying medicine in Georgia: admission, costs and recognition in the UK and Studying medicine in Poland in English: admission, tuition and what comes next. You will find all universities in the university directory.
Have questions about studying abroad?
An Edumetric adviser will answer your questions and put together a list of universities with their costs. The consultation is free.