ECFMG Process- EPIC Verification for PLAB 1 GMC Registration

Survived the second step and finally passed PLAB 1, right? Let’s move to the next- Getting your EPIC Verification Process through ECFMG. This will save you much-needed time for your UK journey and bring you one step closer to GMC registration.

All you need to do is create an ECFMG account and login into the portal and submit the documents for verification. Confused? Let’s dive deep into the third step of our UK journey!

---

Useful Posts

• Step 1: Passing IELTS/OET and providing your English Proficiency Exam to GMC
• Step 2: Knowing the Exam Dates
• Step 3: Booking PLAB 1 Slot Effectively
• Step 4: Picking the Right Study Material
• Step 5: Creating A Study Schedule
• Step 6: EPIC Verification (You are here)
• Step 7: Applying for UK Visa (all documents, cover letter, invitation letter, and experiences)
• Step 8: Booking PLAB 2 Academy
• Step 9: Booking an Accommodation
• Step 10: Passing the PLAB 2 Exam
• Step 11: Getting GMC Registration
• Step 12: Creating a Perfect CV
• Step 13: Searching for Jobs

Other guides you can check out:

• 8 Steps to take after Failing PLAB 1
• Getting TB Clearance Certificate for UK Visa

---

What is ECFMG EPIC Verification for PLAB?

EPIC in short means ‘Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC)’. Through ECFMG electronic portal, International Medical Graduates (IMG) can submit their Primary Medical Qualifications (PMQ) verified.

This is a mandatory step before proceeding further to GMC registration for your UK journey and getting a license to practice as a doctor in the UK.

---

When should I get EPIC verification for GMC Registration?

EPIC Verification once done remains for a lifetime. Ideally, you should start EPIC verification after passing PLAB 1. Of course, you can do it after PLAB 2 too, but that will cost you another 1 month or so.

We often have enough time after PLAB 1 to process the ECFMG and get our documents verified. Once done, all you will be left after PLAB 2 is GMC registration. Sounds cheesy, right?

---

What are the ECFMG registration fees?

For creating the account alone, you will be asked to pay 130 USD. I will further update this section once I move forward with the steps.

---

How much time does it take for EPIC Verification?

Once you have successfully completed the account creation step, it will take a maximum of 3 days to receive a temporary User Name and password.

Roughly it will take 1 month, but things can get faster if you can manage to get your college or university to speed up the process.

---

Documents required for ECFMG EPIC Verification for PLAB GMC Registration

• A scanned, full-colour copy of the photograph page of your current, unexpired passport (see Confirming Your Identity with EPIC for complete guidelines);
• A scanned, full-colour copy of the page that contains your passport expiration date, if applicable;
• A scanned, full-colour copy of the section of your passport that is in Latin characters, if applicable;
• A full-colour photograph of yourself (see Confirming Your Identity with EPIC for complete guidelines);
• Information about your medical education, including your medical school identification number (if applicable) and attendance and degree issue dates;
• Your medical licensure information, including any identification numbers;
• Your USMLE/ECFMG Identification Number (if you have one); and
• Your ECFMG International Credentials Services (EICS) Identification Number (if you have one).

In Short, EPIC requires three documents:

1. A clear, coloured photograph of your face.
2. A scanned, colour image of the required pages of your passport.
3. A completed EPIC Identification Form (EIF).

Please read the complete guidelines for the three here- https://www.ecfmg.org/psv/physicians-confirming-identity.html

Following are the points quoted for each of the three:

Photograph

1. Show a clear, front view of your full face only. Your face should be in the middle of the photograph, and your expression should be natural with your eyes open and looking directly ahead.
2. Be in colour.
3. Have a plain, light-coloured background.
4. Be of good quality. The photograph should not be blurry and should not be too dark or too light.
5. Be current. The photograph must have been taken within six months of the date you submit it.
6. Be of a high enough resolution to print well on your EPIC Identification Form and EPIC Reports.
7. Be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
8. Have a file size of 2MB or less.

Passport

1. Show your passport at its actual size.
2. Be clear and legible.
3. Be in colour.
4. Contain the page with your name and photo.
5. Include the passport expiration date. If the scan of the page with your name and photo does not include the expiration date, you will also need to upload a scan of the page that includes your passport expiration date.
6. Include the section of your passport that is in Latin characters. If the scan of the page with your name and photo is not in Latin characters, you will also need to upload a scan of the section of your passport that is in Latin characters.
7. Match the name, gender, and date of birth you submitted as part of your request to establish an EPIC Account. If the information you submit does not match exactly the same information in your passport, ECFMG will correct the name, gender, and date of birth in your EPIC Account, as appropriate.
8. Include a complete, unobstructed view of the machine-readable zone (MRZ code), if the MRZ is present on your passport.
9. Be in the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format.
10. Have a file size of 2MB or less.

EIF Form

The EPIC Identification Form (EIF) is required by ECFMG to confirm that you are the individual who created the EPIC Account. You must have a valid EIF on file to upload credentials to EPIC and to request verification reports for your verified credentials.

Once you receive confirmation that your request to establish an EPIC Account has been successfully processed, you will be able to access your EIF through the “My Identity Documents” tab of your EPIC Account.

Your EIF will be available as a downloadable PDF file. The EIF includes your name, gender, date of birth, photograph, and passport. Your EIF must be certified by an authorized official. The authorized officials acceptable for certification of your EIF will depend on when your request to establish an EPIC Account was submitted.

Your EIF must be received within six months of the date it is created. If your EIF is not received within this time frame, it will be rejected. Because EPIC requirements also state that your photograph must have been taken within six months of the date you submit it, if your EIF is rejected, your previously accepted photograph will be invalidated as well. You will be able to upload a new photograph and obtain a new EIF through the “My Identity Documents” tab of your EPIC Account.

ECFMG will notify you once they have received and evaluated your EIF. You also can monitor the status of your EIF through the “My Identity Documents” tab.

---

Steps of Opening EPIC ECFMG account

This step will cost you 130 USD and once done, you will have to give ECFMG at least 3 working days to provide you with a temporary username and password.

Documents required

• Passport
• Passport Pic
• Only details for your PMQ (start and end date of PMQ, degree awarding date)
• Only the name of any medical council you are registered with

---

---

I have applied for registration. I will update you with the next steps as I move. In the meanwhile, I will be contacting my college for the same and notify them about the process. Let us hope they don’t ask for any fee for the same. Stay tuned Plabbers!