Training Pathway for J-1 Visas

The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) in conjunction with the US Department of State and representatives of the US academic medical community, has approved and implemented a consensus statement regarding the issue of ECFMG sponsorship in non-standard training programs. Non-standard programs are those for which Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation is not available and for which there is no board certification. For detailed information regarding application procedures, please go to the ECFMG website.

Effective July 1, 2003, ECFMG sponsorship in non-standard training programs is limited to those disciplines that, although not independently accredited by the ACGME, are recognized by an appropriate ABMS member board.

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG), as an ABMS member board, is viewed as the subject matter expert on educational developments within obstetrics and gynecology. It is left to the discretion of ABOG whether, how, and under what circumstances to recognize a discipline for the purpose of J-1 sponsorship.

To streamline the J-1 application process, ABOG and ECFMG have collaborated to compile a list of disciplines that ABOG recognizes for the purposes of J-1 sponsorship. The Board will not recognize specific training institutions, programs, or individual J-1 physicians. If your request is for a discipline that does not appear on this list or you need additional information from ABOG, e-mail fellowship@abog.org. Requests that do not meet ECFMG requirements will not be eligible for ABOG recognition for the purpose of J-1 sponsorship.

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) recognizes that patients have diverse gender identities and is striving to use gender-inclusive language in its publications, literature, and other printed and digital materials. In some instances, ABOG uses the word “woman” (and the pronouns “she” and “her”) to describe patients or individuals whose sex assigned at birth was female, whether they identify as female, male, or non-binary. As gender language continues to evolve in the scientific and medical communities, ABOG will periodically reassess this usage and will make appropriate adjustments as necessary. When describing or referencing study populations used in research, ABOG will use the gender terminology reported by the study investigators.  

Updated June 2021