GMC Credential Verification via ECFMG (EPIC)

General Medical Council, GMC is the main governing body who is in charge of registering doctors, making sure that are legit and qualifications are verified and granting partial or full registration to practice. Initially GMC used to self verify Primary Medical Qualification (PMQs) of the International Medical Graduates as part of their procedure to grant GMC registration. Read here on "How to get full GMC Registration and license to work in UK for 2yrs?" Recently they have introduced an additional step for an independent verification of Qualifications. Read on to find out more about the new changes.




GMC has now asked Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to verify qualifications through their online, Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) service. Those who have have any experience in USMLE will instantly recognize them. ECFMG is a US body evaluating, certifying and providing visa for Foreign Medical Graduates to practice in UK. EPIC offers primary source verification of credentials of physicians around the world for many organizations and now GMC are one of the customers utilizing their services. So what does it mean for us doctors who are planning to get GMC registration via PLAB/MRCP/MTI/CPSP Scholarship pathway.

Registering with EPIC

First step is to register with EPIC. Head over here
and create your account. It will ask if you have any ECFMG id / EICS. Those who have previously registered with ECFMG should enter them. If you don't have it no problem. Next you will asked details about which Medical University/College you graduated from and when. Next you will be asked for your photograph and Passport scan once you have uploaded them according to their liking you will be asked for money of course. So just for making an EPIC account you will need to pay $125 (£96) and $80 (£61) for every Credentials you verify for most it will be your degree if you have any other credentials that you needed by GMC especially for consultants. Those who have had their PMQs already verified through ECFMG for giving usmle have to only pay fee for making EPIC account.

How long will it take and how will I monitor its progress?

The aim here is to verify directly from the institution issuing the credentials so longer the institution takes to respond the more you have to wait. Usually it is within 90 days. ECFMG will keep you updated about the status of your application via email. You will also need be able view progress on your EPIC account

What if my credentials does/doesn't gets verified?

If they do get verified, ECFMG will let you know and you can let GMC know usually it happens automatically via EPIC. In case if it doesn't get verified which mostly doesn't happen but if does you need to contact EPIC as to why weren't they able to verify and they can guide you further. But remember your application will remain open only for 90 days if the process isn't complete within that time frame you will probably need to restart application.

Tips

Now this is an extra step for GMC registration in addition to all the steps and documents mentioned here. If you are planning to get a GMC registration done, provided you meet the criteria for it, I would advise you to start this process early before the GMC registration so by the time GMC completes its proceedings your PMQ will be verified and you don't have wait longer for your GMC registration.

Another thing I would like to say is that I haven't been through the process myself since I got my GMC registration before this additional step was introduced. So this all based on my research and take everything with a pinch of salt. I would welcome any advises or updates regarding it.

For my GMC ID check experience

READ HERE 

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