By Dr. Pragash In
General Medicine
11-Jul-2025
If you're an International Medical Graduate (IMG) looking to live and work as a doctor in Australia, one of the first—and most crucial—steps is getting your medical credentials verified.
You've likely heard of ECFMG and EPIC, but what exactly are they? Why are they required? And how do they fit into the AMC pathway?
This guide breaks it all down for you.
The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is a U.S.-based organization that verifies the qualifications of international medical graduates. While its main role is in the U.S. medical system, it also assists other regulatory bodies—including the Australian Medical Council (AMC).
Official site: https://www.ecfmg.org
EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials) is an online platform managed by ECFMG that allows you to:
Learn more at: https://www.ecfmg.org/psv/index.html
Before you can sit for the AMC exams (MCQ and Clinical) or be assessed via the Specialist or Competent Authority Pathways, you must prove that your medical qualifications are genuine.
This is where EPIC comes in.
The AMC requires all IMGs to submit their medical credentials through EPIC for Primary Source Verification (PSV).
Here are the typical documents required:
Each document must be submitted and verified individually.
Verification timelines vary depending on your institution's responsiveness:
Pro Tip: Begin this process early—ideally before applying for the AMC MCQ exam.
Starting your AMC journey as an IMG can feel overwhelming, but ECFMG and EPIC provide the international credibility and verification needed to take your first official step toward becoming a doctor in Australia.
With the right guidance, this process is manageable, and it opens the door to exams, clinical practice, sponsorship, and eventually permanent registration.
AMC Gateway specializes in helping IMGs like you:
Need help with ECFMG? Email us at: ask@amcgateway.com
Start right. Verify right. Practise right.
Your AMC journey begins with us!