In addition to meeting the legal criteria for H-1B sponsorship, graduates of foreign medical schools (including graduates of Canadian medical schools) must meet the following requirements to qualify for H-1B status in order to practice medicine or undertake clinical training in a residency or fellowship in the U.S.
Documentation must be included in the H-1B petition.
- Graduates must have passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Steps 1, 2, and 3
- Graduates of medical schools outside of Canada must have a certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) confirming their competence in oral and written English.
- Graduates must have a Washington State Medical License
Foreign graduates of U.S. medical schools are exempt from items 1 and 2 since they are not considered foreign medical graduates. Graduates of foreign medical schools who will perform non-clinical research activities and will not engage in patient care are exempt from items 1, 2 and 3.
Where a medical license is required, USCIS will approve the H-1B petition for either the length of the current license, or one year, whichever is longer. While ISO can request the H-1B for longer, units should note that the H-1B petition may ultimately be approved for a shorter period when the medical license will expire before the requested end date.