AMC exam application: AMC Portfolio & documents verification

AMC exam application: AMC Portfolio & documents verification for the AMC exam

• Please read the AMCs terms of use carefully before proceeding!
• Step 1: IMGs required to submit their primary qualification (final medical diploma) in medicine and surgery for verification. It is important to determine that your medical school as well as your degree title and graduation year is eligible.
• Step 2: Create EPIC account and confirm your identity with ECFMG. Indicate that you plan to apply to the AMC when completing your request to establish an account. Your EPIC ID will be confirmed in 2-3 working days.
• Step 3: Establish AMC Portfolio for processing by AMC – you require an EPIC ID to be able to complete the portfolio application. Your AMC candidate number will be confirmed by email within 3-5 working days.
• Step 4: Upload qualification/s to your EPIC account for processing by ECFMG. As you upload each qualification, request that a EPIC report be sent to the AMC. When your credential is sent for verification, the AMC will be notified to update the verification status on the AMC qualifications portal.

• • For the Standard Pathway (AMC examinations) and Competent Authority pathways, submit your final medical diploma for verification.
  • For specialist assessment purposes, your final medical diploma and postgraduate qualification/s must be submitted.
• Enquire with the respective Australian specialist medical college which postgraduate qualification/s require verification. Refer to the ECFMG website for a list of EPIC medical qualification categories.
• Step 5: Proceed with the pathway you are eligible for.
• Step 6: Qualification verified – if you requested that a EPIC report be sent to the AMC when you uploaded the qualification, the report will be sent automatically. If you did not request a EPIC report for the AMC when you uploaded your qualification, apply via your EPIC account for ECFMG to provide a copy of the EPIC report to AMC to update your verification status on the AMC qualifications portal.
• The fee to establish an AMC portfolio / add qualification/s to your portfolio will be payable at the time the application is completed.

AMC Portfolio / add qualification / cancellation fees

• Once payment has been made, your application will be listed for assessment of which you will receive an email with further instructions, including your AMC candidate number.
  • The portfolio fees as well as adding additional qualification/s fees are listed on the fees and charges page.
• If you decide to cancel either an AMC portfolio or an additional qualification/s added, or if the AMC found it to be not required, a cancellation fee might be applicable.
• The cancellation fee structure is listed on the fees and charges page.

Important information about your portfolio and the verification of your qualifications

• Your qualification examination and training must be COMPLETED for it to be added to your AMC Account.
• The following types are not eligible to be added to your AMC Account: Medical registrations/license to practice, PhDs, research, internship/housemanship/foundation documents, partially completed training/qualifications, scientific (for e.g. Bachelor of Science), short courses or Australian/Australasian qualifications.
• If you added any of the above to your AMC portfolio, it will not appear on your AMC Account.
• All eligible/relevant qualifications submitted to your EPIC Account must also be added to your AMC portfolio to enable the AMC to update the verification statuses.
• If you notice the words “Await EPIC status confirmation”, it means the AMC do not have the correct details of the institution available. This will be added once the EPIC status update has been received and appear on your AMC Account.
• For confirmation on which postgraduate qualification(s) required to be submitted for EPIC verification, please contact the relevant Australian specialist medical college for assistance before adding postgraduate qualification(s) to your EPIC Account, or the AMC portfolio. All the colleges are listed on the AHPRA website.
• As you upload each qualification to your EPIC account, request that a EPIC report be sent to the AMC. This will inform the AMC when your qualification has been sent for verification and will automatically send a EPIC report to the AMC. Once received, the AMC will update the AMC qualifications portal. The AMC cannot update your verification status without receiving the EPIC report.
• If you have enquiries about the documentation requirements as part of your EPIC account application, please enquire with ECFMG directly for assistance.
• The Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA) requires for the final “hang on the wall” diploma (for e.g. MBBS, etc). to be verified for medical registration purposes (refer to step 1 below). This qualification is referred to as a Primary Qualification with the AMC, however ECFMG refer to this as the Final Medical Diploma. Do note that if you have not yet been issued with the final “hang on the wall” diploma, other documentation options are available (refer to below options):
  • Final Medical Diploma: the diploma issued by your medical school or university after you have completed all requirements for and been awarded your medical degree. The Final Medical Diploma may also be referred to as the Primary Medical Qualification, Carton Degree, Conferral Certificate, or Decorative Degree; this is the credential used for framing and wall-hanging purposes. You may upload only one final medical diploma to EPIC. For the title of the medical credential ECFMG requires as the Final Medical Diploma, please see the Reference Guide for Medical Education Credentials on the ECFMG website.
  • Alternate Graduation Document: a document, other than a final medical diploma, issued by your medical school or university confirming that you graduated (passed all examinations and completed required internship period) from medical school and are eligible to receive your medical degree.
  • Final Medical School Transcript: the transcript issued by your medical school or university after you have completed all requirements for and been awarded your medical degree. Transcripts may also be known as mark sheets, time sheets, or hour sheets, and should include a listing of all subjects studied and your grades/marks for each subject.
• Important: If either a final medical school transcript or alternate graduation document / medical school letter for verification, AHPRA might require you to submit your final medical diploma for verification when applying for registration as well.

Depending on your pathway for medical registration by the Medical Board of Australia, not all AMC candidates are required to proceed with the AMC examinations (contact the Medical Board of Australia to confirm if you are required to proceed with the AMC examinations process).

• • You will not be eligible to schedule for the AMC examinations without an ‘Outsourced’ or ‘Verified’ verification status of your primary qualification (final medical diploma).
• You should only nominate the relevant specialist medical college ONCE: although it does not show the nomination on your AMC Account, the AMC will link the college as part of the assessment process. The nominate college will have access to your verification images, verification statuses and able to upload college outcome reports on the AMC qualification’s portal, for registration purposes. Only nominate the relevant specialist college that you are applying for assessment through.

What next step?

• If eligible for the Standard Pathway, you are required to proceed with the AMC examinations process by selecting the “AMC examinations” option on your AMC account. Once you have passed both AMC examinations, you will be issued with an AMC certificate to submit to the Medical Board of Australia for general registration purposes.
• If eligible for the Competent Authority pathway, you are required to submit a Competent Authority pathway application directly to the Medical Board of Australia.
• If eligible for the Specialist pathway, you are required to submit your Specialist application directly to the respective specialist medical college for assessment. All the colleges are listed on the Medical Board of Australia website.
• If eligible for short-term training with a specialist medical college, you are required to apply directly to the respective specialist medical college for a training position by using the form AAMC-30 Application for assessment by a medical college.

You are only required to establish an AMC portfolio if:

• Option 1: You have applied to the AMC previously, and an AMC candidate number was issued but NO qualification(s) has been previously EICS verified through the AMC. OR
• Option 2: You have applied to the AMC previously, and an AMC candidate number was issued. You have submitted qualification(s) previously for EICS verification through the AMC. However, you have to add further qualification(s) for EPIC verification as required by either the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA) and/or an Australian Specialist Medical College. OR
• Option 3: You have not submitted a paper application prior to 1 October 2015 to the AMC previously, and have not been issued with an AMC candidate number. OR
• Option 4: You have not completed your AMC online application (Form P1) prior to 1 October 2015, and have not been issued with an AMC candidate number.
• Important: If you are unsure if you should establish an AMC portfolio, please contact the AMC for assistance.

You are not required to establish an AMC portfolio if:

• If you had an AMC online account prior to 1 October 2015, you are required to create a new AMC online account.
• If you never created an AMC online account previously, and not required to add any further qualification(s) for EPIC verification, you must create an AMC online account to use the below features:

1. Add your AMC candidate number

• • If you have applied to the AMC previously and an AMC candidate number was issued, it is important to add your AMC candidate number to your AMC online account in order for the system to determine your application/examination statuses.
  • You are required to add both your AMC candidate number and your date of birth.

2. Proceed with AMC examinations

• • Once you are assigned an AMC candidate number, you may proceed with the AMC examinations process.
  • Please contact the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA) to clarify if you are required to complete the AMC examinations process (AMC certificate) for registration purposes.

3. View a summary of qualification(s) submitted for verification through ECFMG (EPIC and/or EICS)

4. Add more medical qualification(s) to my AMC portfolio

• • If you are required by either the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA), and/or an Australian Specialist Medical College to submit further qualification(s) for EPIC verification, a fee is payable for each qualification added to your AMC portfolio.
  • Do NOT add qualification(s) already verified via the EICS process through the AMC, or already added to your AMC portfolio.

a) For primary qualification purposes, please note the following:

• • • If you have a primary qualification (final medical diploma), you are not required to submit the graduate certificate (alternate graduation document) and/or the transcript for verification as well.
    • IMPORTANT: If you already added either a final medical school transcript or alternate graduation document / medical school letter for verification to your AMC account, AHPRA might require you to submit your final medical diploma for verification when applying for registration as well. Although you do not have to add the details again to the AMC account in the Primary Qualification tab you will need to have it verified through ECFMG via EPIC and ensure the AMC receives the EPIC notification and EPIC report statuses. This will incur additional costs by ECFMG.

b) For specialist qualification / training enquiries, please contact the relevant Australian Specialist College to confirm which qualification(s) are required to be verified for their specialist assessment/registration purposes.

c) The following types are not eligible to be added to your AMC Account: Medical registrations/license to practice, PhDs, research, internship/housemanship/foundation documents, partially completed training/qualifications, scientific (for e.g. Bachelor of Science), short courses or Australian/Australasian qualifications.

• It is important to note that all verifications are listed on the AMC’s qualifications, accessed by the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA) for registration purposes, and the Australian Specialist Medical Colleges for assessment purposes.

1. Nominate an Australian Specialist Medical College: Only nominate the College you will submit an application for Specialist assessment. This will allow the College to view all qualification(s) you have submitted for verification and to upload your specialist asessment outcome(s), used by the Medical Board of Australia (AHPRA) for registration purposes.

2. Edit my personal details: If you require to update your address, contact number, email, photo or signature.

3. Nominate someone to communicate on my behalf: If you prefer to nominate someone to make enquiries on your AMC records on your behalf.

Primary source verification

• ECFMG and EPIC
  • The primary source verification of medical qualifications is mandated under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009 (National Law) for all IMGs seeking registration in any category in Australia.
  • The International Credentials Services of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) serves international organisations and authorities involved in medical registration, licensing and assessment by obtaining primary source verification of the medical education and registration credentials of medical graduates who completed their medical education outside their jurisdictions.
  • From 1 October 2015, the AMC will be using ECFMG’s Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC) service for the verification of medical credentials. The AMC is pleased to make this transition to using EPIC for the primary source verification of IMG medical credentials. EPIC will provide AMC with the same rigorous primary source verification that ECFMG provide through EICS while offering IMGs additional benefits not available through EICS. The EPIC verification outcomes will be uploaded to the AMC’s qualifications portal. This portal is used by the Medical Board of Australia for registration purposes, and by Australian specialist medical colleges for assessment purposes.
  • EPIC is an innovative, on-line service that physicians can use throughout their careers. Through EPIC, physicians can build a digital career portfolio of the primary source verified credentials related to their medical education, training, and registration / licensure. They can then use EPIC to request that reports verifying the authenticity of their medical credentials be sent to any organisation in the world, including medical regulatory authorities and potential employers, such as hospitals and academic institutions.
  • For more information about the EPIC application process, refer to the ECFMG website.
• EICS verifications
  • All qualifications previously submitted to the AMC for EICS verification and confirmed as verified, are still valid.
  • An EICS certificate was issued to confirm the verification of the qualification. IMGs can apply for a copy of the EICS certificate by completing and submitting a Request for duplicate of EICS Certificate form.

How to apply?

• Refer to Establish an AMC portfolio.
• IMGs who have a primary qualification in medicine and surgery awarded by a training institution recognised by the AMC are eligible to apply for assessment under this pathway.
• Refer to AMC account/ Portfolio/ EPIC verifications.

US Embargo

• EPIC is a service of ECFMG, which is located in the United States. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury may restrict interactions between U.S. organisations and individuals/ entities in certain countries/ regions.
• The ECFMG will update the AMC with information on countries affected by these sanctions.
• ECFMG will be unable to process requests for verification of medical credentials issued by institutions in the embargoed country.
• IMGs affected by the sanctions have to apply directly to the AMC and will be required to upload the qualification documentation with the identification documentation as well.
• The AMC is working with the Medical Board of Australia to determine how to appropriately assist AMC candidates affected by these sanctions.
• Updated information on countries affected by the US Embargo will be provided on the AMC website when required. Also, please monitor the ECFMG website for updates. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Identification requirements

• All applicants for medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia will be required to satisfy the Proof of Identity Requirements of the Medical Board of Australian to obtain medical registration.
• The AMC has developed its own proof of identity requirements for doctors applying from overseas international medical graduates (IMGs) for assessment through the AMC, because it recognises that some applicants cannot meet some of the Board’s identification requirements.

Photo requirements

Part of the AMC process requires you to upload a current photograph of your face and shoulders. The AMC will use this photograph for identity confirmation and examination purposes. This photograph will appear on your AMC account.

• All passport-sized photos must be:
  1. full colour
  2. 35-40 mm wide and 45-50 mm long
  3. good quality – high resolution
  4. sharply focused (not blurred)
  5. not too dark and not too light
  6. not scanned or homemade
  7. current – no more than 6 months old
  8. unmarked (no ink or marks on the edge)
  9. in front of a plain light coloured background
  10. full-front view of head and shoulders with eyes open and clearly visible
  11. one of the following file formats, JPEG or PNG)
  12. less than the maximum file size of 5 megabytes
• All photos submitted to the AMC must be updated every TWO years.
• Holiday photos/selfies are inappropriate and will be rejected.
• The AMC Certificate (once passed both AMC examinations) will include the photo you submit, therefore, it should represent a true likeness and of good quality.
• If you have applied for EPIC verification, you can use the same photograph as added to your EPIC account application provided it complies with the requirements listed above.For photograph examples please refer to EPIC’s advice on confirming your identity.

Passport requirements

• Part of the AMC process requires a scanned copy of your current/valid passport. The AMC will amend your names in your AMC account according to the passport details.

  1. The scan of your passport must:

     • Include the signature page
     • Include name
     • Include nationality
     • Include date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
     • Include gender
     • Include place and country of birth
     • Include photograph
     • Include passport number
     • Include signature
     • Include the passport expiration date
     • Show your passport at actual size
     • Be clear and legible
     • You can scan both the personal details/demographic AND signature pages (if on separate pages) as 1 image (i.e. 2 pages in 1 image etc)
     • If no signature available on your passport, scan a copy of your secondary ID (drivers licence or statutory declaration) with the passport image and scan as 1 image (i.e. 2 pages in 1 image etc)

     Please note that you need to use one of the following file formats: JPEG or PNG), the maximum file size is 5 megabytes.

Acceptable documents if no signature on passport

• You must provide a copy of personal details and signature pages of your passport on your AMC portfolio, If your passport does not have a signature, you are required to submit one of the following current/valid documents as secondary identification with your passport:
  1. a copy of your driver’s license (must be signed); OR
  2. a statutory declaration to confirm all variances of your signature (see below).

Name/Signature Variance

• If the name on your qualification/s is different from the name on your passport, you are required to submit evidence of your change of name/name variance if:

• • you have ever been formally known by another name(s), OR
  • any of the documents you provide in support of your application is in another name(s).
• Evidence could include:

• • Marriage Certificate
  • Change of Name legal document
  • Deed Poll
  • Statutory Declaration (witnessed by an eligible witness). Explain all name/signature variations

AND/OR

• If the signature uploaded is different to the signature on your passport (or other acceptable document if no signature on passport), you are required to provide evidence of your signature variance.
• You are required to submit one of the following current/valid documents as secondary identification with your passport:

• • a copy of your driver’s licence (must be signed); OR
  • a Statutory Declaration to confirm all variances of your signature (see below).
• You must submit a Statutory Declaration setting out the reasons for any of the following:

• • your passport or drivers licence has no signature
  • the signature on your passport or drivers licence is different from the signature on your application form (explain all of your signature variations and declare your preferred signature for use on AMC records)
  • any of your documents show a previous name (explain all name variations).

A Commonwealth of Australia Statutory Declaration may only be used to explain the reason for a name variation, not for change of a legal name. You will be required to include one of the evidence documents as listed above.

If the name/signature variance document is in a non-English language, an English translation is also required to be uploaded together

Please note that you need to use one of the following file formats: JPEG or PNG, the maximum file size is 5 megabytes.

Statutory declaration

• A statutory declaration is a written statement declared to be true in the presence of an authorised witness. A statutory declaration form is available on the AMC website here.
• You are required to submit a statutory declaration for any of the following reasons:
  1. your passport, drivers license or credit card does not contain a signature
  2. the signature on your passport, driver’s license or credit card is not the same as the signature on your application form
  3. a document contains a previously used name
  4. the name on your passport is different from the name on your qualification(s).
• A Commonwealth of Australia Statutory Declaration may only be used to explain the reason for a name variation, not for change of a legal name. You will be required to include one of the evidence documents as listed in Name Variance above.
• The statutory declaration must be certified by an eligible witness.

Eligible witnesses in Australia

• The AMC accepts the following persons as eligible witnesses in Australia:
  • chief magistrate
  • police magistrate
  • resident magistrate
  • special magistrate
  • justice of the peace
  • person appointed under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959, as amended, or under a state Act to be a Commissioner for Declarations
  • notary public
  • person appointed a Commissioner for Declarations under the Statutory Declarations Act 1911, or under that Act as amended, and holding office immediately before the commencement of the Statutory Declarations Act 1959.

Eligible witnesses in countries other than Australia

• The AMC accepts the following persons as eligible witnesses in countries other than Australia:
  1. Foreign Notary Public
  2. Commissioner of Oaths (South Africa, Sudan and Canada only)
  3. An Australian Consular or Diplomatic Officer or authorised officer in accordance with Section 3 of the Consular Fees Act 1955*
  4. Foreign documents that bear an Apostille† issued by a Foreign Government may be submitted without further certification.
• *You are required to contact the Australian Embassy or Consular to arrange for an appointment before travelling to ensure that the necessary staff are available. The list is available here.
• †On legal advice, the AMC accepts an apostille as an eligible witness able to certify documents as part of the primary source verification requirements.
• An Australian Diplomatic Officer means a person appointed to hold or act in any of the following offices of the Commonwealth in a country or place outside Australia:
  1. Ambassador
  2. High Commissioner
  3. Minister
  4. Head of a Mission
  5. Commissioner
  6. Chargé d’Affaires
  7. Counsellor, Secretary or Attaché at an Embassy, High Commissioner’s office, Legation or other post.
  8. Locally engaged staff who have been authorised by the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to also perform the function.
• Fees may be prescribed for consular acts. The regulations may provide for the imposition of fees, to be collected on behalf of the Commonwealth, for the performance, whether in Australia or elsewhere, of consular acts by:
  1. an Australian Diplomatic Officer or an Australian Consular Officer; or
  2. the person holding or acting in the office of Secretary of the Department or an officer of the Department acting with the authority of the Secretary; or
  3. an employee of the Commonwealth authorised, in writing, by the Secretary of the Department; or
  4. an employee of the Australian Trade Commission authorised, in writing, by the Secretary of the Department.

AMC Exam Forms & Fees

• General information about AMC Exam Forms & Fees

• 1. Change of address
  2. Clinical Examination Appeals Rules/Form
  3. Request for reissue of AMC certificate
  4. Request for duplicate copies of results
  5. Request for reprint of EICS Certificate
  6. Request for reprint of Advanced Standing Certificate
  7. Authorised Third Party Form (to act on my behalf)
  8. Request for confirmation of date of application to undertake the AMC examinations
  9. Statutory declaration form
  10. Letter of Consent (for AMC issued documents)

AMC portfolio (Initial and/or additional qualification application/s)

Apply online

CAT MCQ examination

• CAT MCQ Examination Form – Application for authorisation to schedule for a CAT MCQ examination event (sample only)

Clinical examination

• Clinical Examination withdrawal form

Standard Pathway & Primary Source Verification

• New or returning (with an existing AMC candidate number) applicants

• • Apply online to establish an AMC portfolio
  • Add more qualification(s) to your AMC portfolio
• CAT MCQ examination

• • CAT MCQ Examination Form – Application for authorisation to schedule for a CAT MCQ examination event (sample only)
• Clinical examination

• • Clinical Examination withdrawal form

Fees and charges

• Fees listed are in Australian dollars and are free of GST.

Also read:

1. Frequently asked questions about AMC application
2. Overview of AMC Exam
3. AMC Standard Pathway
4. AMC Specialist Pathway
5. AMC MCQ Exam
6. AMC Clinical Examination

Also Watch :

• How to Get Registered in Australia – Pathways from youtube channel “Career Doctor”