MRCGP to USA | ABFM Reciprocity

• US citizens, green card holders, and foreign nationals on a visa can apply for the ABFM reciprocity pathway. Being a foreign national does NOT preclude you from applying.

• It does not matter where you went to medical school if it is recognized by ECFMG.

• Many immigrant doctors in the United States are able to obtain green cards, which grant them permanent residency status. Green cards are typically obtained through employment-based visas which are commonly utilized by foreign physicians. Over time, if they meet the necessary requirements, they may choose to apply for U.S. citizenship. However, it's important to note that the path to permanent residency and citizenship can vary depending on individual circumstances, immigration policies, and legal requirements that may change over time. It is always advisable for individuals seeking immigration benefits to consult with an immigration attorney or seek guidance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

• You must have completed at least 3 years of residency training in the UK, New Zeeland, Australia, or Canada. You need to have proof of completion of training and examination leading to your RCGP. 

• Do ECFMG primary source verification of medical education and take all USMLEs. You just need a pass, no need for a high score.  

Apply for a full unrestricted state license without US-residency training: 

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• Foreign nationals without green cards must have a job offer before they can apply for a state license; not impossible but challenging to get. Therefore, most applicants prefer to do a 1-year fellowship to build connections that can secure job offers easily afterwards. Geriatrics fellowships are non-competitive and very friendly to international doctors. 

• Maine and Oklahoma accept your non-US residency training as a waiver for US-residency training requirement. For UK trained doctors we recommend Maine. Everyone else has no other choice but Oklahoma. 

• Make sure that you are within 1 year of clinical practice. If needed, you can go back home and locum for a month to restart the clock. If you do a US fellowship, this would be the best option instead of going back home to satisfy this requirement. 

• Doing a 1-year US fellowship is highly recommended for anyone perusing this pathway. It will be your year to integrate and learn how to practice in the US. Moreover, it will make licensing and credentialing easier down the road.

• Work-life balance is very reasonable for most fellowships in family medicine. Your pay after taxes as a fellow will be almost the same as a practicing GP outside the US. 

• You will be using a training state license during fellowship which has less requirements in comparison to a full medical license. 

• Apply for ABFM certification via reciprocity agreement with the RCGP and clear the ABFM certifying exam.  

• This will open doors for employment and make all insurance companies accept you as a provider, no questions asked. 

• This will open licensing in many other states. Some states waive US-residency training requirements if you are ABFM certified. 

If you want to practice outside Maine and Oklahoma: 

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• VA hospitals are nationwide, and they hire US citizens and sometimes green card holders. These are federal facilities and accept any state license. For example, if you apply for a job in Los Angeles VA hospital and get accepted, you can use your Maine or Oklahoma license to practice in that hospital. 

• Once you become board certified, this will open other states for you. Many states accept ABFM certification as a waiver for US residency training requirement. 

• We advise getting a job in a teaching hospital. Many states accept working as a faculty (with assistant professor rank or above) for 3 years as a waiver for US residency training requirement.  

• This is particularly important: at all costs avoid applying to state boards, ABFM, hospitals, or others without making sure your application will highly likely be approved. Once you get a rejected application, you will have to report it every time you apply to anything for the rest of your life. This will delay all your future applications and lower the threshold for being rejected again in the future. This is why you need us on your side. We know the process very well and will help you prepare early to avoid pitfalls that can be very costly in time, money, and outcome.