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The policy outlined below defines the screening criteria we use to evaluate International Medical Graduate applicants. In addition, we will continue to apply our best judgement concerning the suitability of a candidate for training at this program to decide who will have the most likelihood of meeting its training demands and for maintaining the standards that we have set.

  1. Applicants must provide official documentation that certifies satisfactory completion of requirements for graduation from a medical school approved by the World Health Organization. This documentation must include a transcript of course work with the official seal of the institution, a letter from an official of the institution verifying that all requirements for graduation have been satisfied, and a translated, notarized verification of authenticity.
  2. To be eligible for internship, the applicant must be ECFMG certified, and be either a US Citizen or a Permanent Resident.  We cannot accept or sponsor visas of any type. In addition, the applicant must meet all other eligibility criteria established by the UNC Hospitals Office of Graduate Medical Education.
  3. At the time of application to the program applicants must have taken and passed a series of tests offered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) including both Steps 1 and 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, and the Clinical Skills Assessment. The applicant must submit official reports from the ECFMG documenting the scores for the examinations. In order to be considered for an interview, applicant scores reported therein should be at a minimum standard score of 215 on Steps 1 and 2.
  4. At the time of application to the program applicants also must have taken the ECFMG English Language Proficiency and passed it. In conversation the applicant must demonstrate a clear command of spoken English, both in clarity of enunciation and pronunciation and in conversational understanding.
  5. We will give preference in our consideration to candidates who have clinical experience in the United States, Canada or systems based on British models of training and health care.
  6. International Medical Graduate applicants who are considered for internship during the same period of time that US medical school graduates apply must do so through the National Resident Matching Program and proceed through the same application process as US students.
  7. Usually, International Medical Graduate applicants cannot be considered for advanced placement in residency training. The rare instances when it might be possible will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Last Modified: July 2020