What Is EPIC Verification?

EPIC (Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials) is a primary source verification system operated by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). It is used by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and AHPRA to verify that your medical qualifications are authentic and were issued by a recognised medical school.

Primary source verification means that the AMC does not simply accept copies of your documents. Instead, ECFMG contacts the issuing institutions directly — your medical school, licensing authority, and other relevant bodies — to confirm that the documents you have provided are genuine and accurate.

EPIC verification is a mandatory step for most international medical graduates seeking registration in Australia. It must be completed before you can progress with your AHPRA application.

The EPIC Verification Process

The EPIC verification process involves several steps:

  1. Create an EPIC account — Register on the ECFMG EPIC portal and create your personal profile with accurate details matching your official documents.
  2. Submit your documents — Upload copies of your medical degree, transcripts, and other required credentials to the EPIC portal.
  3. ECFMG contacts your institutions — ECFMG will contact your medical school and relevant licensing authorities directly to verify the authenticity of your credentials.
  4. Verification completed — Once all documents are verified, your EPIC status is updated and the results are shared with the AMC.
  5. Proceed with registration — With EPIC verification complete, you can move forward with your AMC assessment and AHPRA application.

The process is largely handled by ECFMG, but you may need to facilitate communication between ECFMG and your medical school, particularly if your institution is slow to respond or requires specific authorisation from you.

Documents Required

You will typically need to provide the following documents for EPIC verification:

  • Medical degree certificate — Your primary medical qualification (MBBS, MD, or equivalent)
  • Medical school transcript — Official academic transcript showing subjects studied and grades obtained
  • Identity documents — Passport and any other identification documents
  • Registration or licence — Current or previous medical registration or licence from your home country or any country where you have practised
  • Good standing certificate — Evidence of good professional standing from relevant medical authorities
  • Name change documentation — If your name differs across documents, you may need to provide marriage certificates or legal name change documents

All documents should be clear, legible scans of the originals. Some documents may need to be translated into English by an accredited translator if they are in another language.

Timeline and Next Steps

The EPIC verification process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how quickly your medical school and licensing authorities respond to ECFMG's verification requests. Factors that can affect the timeline include:

  • The responsiveness of your medical school's administration
  • Whether your institution has an established process for handling verification requests
  • The completeness and accuracy of the documents you submit
  • Public holidays or administrative delays in your country of training

It is strongly recommended that you start the EPIC verification process as early as possible — ideally before or alongside your exam preparation — as delays at this stage can push back your entire registration timeline.

Once your EPIC verification is complete, you can proceed with the AMC assessment and your AHPRA registration application. For a full breakdown of costs associated with EPIC verification and other registration steps, see our registration costs page.

Important Planning Note

This page is designed as practical guidance for overseas doctors and should be used alongside official requirements published by AHPRA, the AMC, relevant specialist colleges, and the Department of Home Affairs.

Rules, fees, and processing times can change. Before lodging any application, verify current criteria directly with official sources listed on our Resources page.