J-1 Visa

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J-1 Visa

Applicants for subspecialty examinations must be certified in Anatomic Pathology (AP) and/or Clinical Pathology (CP). Therefore, J-1 visa candidates should register for the Spring session of the AP and/or CP examinations by the January 15 deadline and then submit their application for Subspecialty certification by the May 15 deadline of the same year.

J-1 Visa Policy

The ECFMG has been advised by our state department of restrictions in J-1 visa utilization. In turn, the ECFMG has promulgated an advisory as to how it will proceed in granting J-1 visa holders additional time to pursue non-ACGME accredited training (October 18, 2002 letter from J.D. Hallock, M.D. of ECFMG to Stanley Colvin, J.D. of the US Department of State).

The ABPath has informed Dr. Hallock of ECFMG that J-1 visa holders may benefit from additional training in pathology that is not ACGME approved and that the American Board of Pathology is willing to endorse a J-1 visa applicant for concentrated study in pathology and will do so only if the following information is provided:

      1. Documentation that the program of interest to the J-1 visa holder is directly associated with an ACGME-accredited program in pathology, and this is verified in writing by the program director of the ACGME-accredited primary program.

    2. A detailed program description submitted by the program director that has been reviewed and approved by the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC) specifying the educational objectives, the curriculum involved, the nature of supervision, the method of evaluation, and the duration of the program.

      3. Confirmation that the sponsoring institution’s GMEC has approved the non-standard training program description; GMEC approval is evidenced through completion and submission of the GMEC & Parent Program Verification Form.

      If you are interested in ECFMG approval of your J-1 visa for additional pathology training, please submit documentation satisfying items 1, 2, and 3 (parts a-e) to the American Board of Pathology office via email to [email protected]. A prompt response will be forwarded to you and the ECFMG.