Step-by-Step Registration Process for Indian MBBS Doctors
Step 1 - Create Your MyIntealth Account
Go to www.myintealth.app and create your account. Simple enough - but here is where Indian doctors make the first mistake.
Use your passport name. Exactly as it appears. Nothing else.
Do not use the name on your MBBS degree certificate. Do not use initials if your passport does not use initials. Even a single character difference between your MyIntealth name and FSMB name will block your scheduling permit later.
Account setup also requires:
- An Identity Information Form (IIF)
- Online notarization through NotaryCam
Complete both before moving forward.
Step 2 - Submit the Application for ECFMG Certification
This application tells ECFMG you intend to pursue certification. It also collects your full medical education history - your college, enrollment dates, and degree details.
This application must be accepted by ECFMG before FSMB will let you register for any Step exam. There is no shortcut around this step.
Step 3 - Credential Verification
This is the slowest part of the process for Indian doctors - and the most unpredictable.
ECFMG does not accept documents you upload. They contact your Indian medical college directly to verify your enrollment and degree. This is called primary-source verification.
The problem: many Indian college administrative offices are slow to respond to international verification requests. A process that takes two weeks at some institutions can take two to three months at others.
What you should do:
- Notify your college registrar or admin office before ECFMG contacts them
- Tell them to expect a verification request from ECFMG
- Follow up with your college regularly - do not assume they responded
- Keep your college contact's direct email and phone number handy
This one step, handled early, can save you months.
Step 4 - OET Medicine
This is non-negotiable. Every USMLE applicant must pass OET Medicine, regardless of native language, medium of instruction, or citizenship.
That means Indian doctors who completed a five-year English-medium MBBS are not exempt. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Required scores (all in one sitting):
| Sub-test |
Minimum Score |
| Listening |
350 |
| Reading |
350 |
| Speaking |
350 |
| Writing |
300 |
OET is offered multiple times a year in India, across major cities. Take it early. Do not wait until after your Step exams.
Two traps Indian doctors fall into:
- Trap 1: Taking the OET but forgetting to authorize ECFMG to receive your scores. You must do this manually through the OET portal. Taking the exam is not enough.
- Trap 2: The USMLE ID or date of birth in your OET profile does not match your ECFMG record. If these do not match exactly, your scores will not be released to ECFMG.
Double-check both before your test date.
Step 5 - Select Your ECFMG Pathway
There are six Pathways. Each has different clinical skills requirements. Most Indian MBBS graduates without an active unrestricted license will qualify under Pathway 6, which involves a clinical skills evaluation by a licensed physician.
A note on Pathway 1: it requires an unrestricted medical license that permits unsupervised practice. Indian state medical council registration does not automatically qualify. Check the specific Pathway 1 criteria before assuming you are eligible.
One rule applies to all Pathways: the seven-year rule. All USMLE steps and Pathway completion must fall within seven years of your first passing score. If you space your exams too far apart, earlier passing scores become invalid for certification purposes.
Step 6 - Register for Your Step Exam Through FSMB
Once ECFMG confirms your eligibility, go to usmle.fsmb.org and create your FSMB account.
Critical: your name at FSMB must exactly match your name at MyIntealth. FSMB runs an automatic identity match with Intealth during registration. Any mismatch will stop the process.
FSMB then runs a second check - confirming with ECFMG that your certification application has been accepted. Both checks must pass before your registration goes through.
After registration, you select your eligibility period, pay the fee, and receive your scheduling permit.
Step 7 - Book Your Prometric Slot in India
With your scheduling permit, go to prometric.com and book your test center slot.
Step 1 and Step 2 CK are available in India.Prometric test centers are in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Step 3 is not available in India.It is a US-only exam. Plan for US travel, visa, and accommodation costs separately when you reach that stage.
