- Hold an MD degree from a medical school registered in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED).
- Have passed the USMLE Step 1 or its equivalent, the International Foundations of Medicine Basic Science Examination (IFOM BSE).
- Have satisfactorily completed the USMLE Step 2 CK or its equivalent, the IFOM Clinical Science Examination (IFOM CSE).
- Have satisfactorily completed an English Proficiency Language Examination.
II. Examination Requirements & Dates
Applicants must complete the three qualifying examinations listed below:
English Language Proficiency
| Exam | Minimum Score / Requirement | Validity |
|---|
| AUB English Entrance Exam | 40 | Should be repeated with each academic year application |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 88 | 2 years |
OET (Academic) | Following the ECFMG pathways criteria,
at least 350 in Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and at least 300 in Writing
to be considered passing | 2 years |
| IELTS (Academic – Prometric) | 7.0
| 2 years |
The AUB English Exam (AUB-EN) is available at AUB Testing Center.
Exempted Applicants
- AUB graduates
- Current or former AUB residents
- Graduates who completed both Bachelor's & MD at:
- University of Balamand
- Lebanese American University
- Graduates of recognized institutions in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand
NBME IFOM Exams
Applicants who want to register for the NBME IFOM exams cannot do so before submitting and paying the online application fees. After submitting and paying, you will receive an email with the NBME IFOM exam registration link. Registration is open from November 3 to November 21. Failure to register during this time will result in non-registration.
Applicants will receive detailed information about the examination venue and rules via email at least 3 days before the exam.
2. Basic Science Examination or USMLE Step 1
| USMLE Step 1 | Pass (post-2022) / 192 (old standard) | Prometric Center |
|---|
| IFOM BSE | Pass/Fail or 60% Equated Percent Correct | Prometric Center or via GME Office |
3. Clinical Science Examination or USMLE Step II CK
USMLE Step 2 CK
| 214 (current) / 209 (old standard) | Prometric Center |
|---|
| IFOM CSE | Equated Percent Correct: 70 | Prometric Center or via GME Office |
Additional Notes
- Applicants who pass the IFOM CSE are not eligible to retake it within 3 months.
- Competitive exam scores may lead to interview invitations.
- The IFOM CSE exam fee of $120 USD must be paid through the online application.
- Exam venue details will be emailed 3 days before the test.
Examination Dates
| Deadline to Register for IFOM BSE & CSE at GME Office | November 21, 2025 |
| IFOM BSE Exam (AUB & Non-AUB MD Graduates) | December 18 & 19, 2025 |
| IFOM CSE Exam (AUB & Non-AUB MD Graduates) | December 11 & 12, 2025 |
III. Online Application
1. Application & Required Documents
Application Period: November 03 – November 21, 2025
Applicants must upload the following documents:
- Photocopy of ID and Passport
- Social Security Number (for U.S. citizens/Green Card holders)
- Passport-size photo
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of MD degree (with original university seal), or Dean's letter if not yet issued
- Medical school transcript
- License to practice Medicine in Lebanon (if applicable for Lebanese citizens)
- Three letters of reference from faculty members with academic contact (Reference letter guidelines)
- Official score report of English Proficiency exam
- Official ECFMG report for USMLE Step 1/Step 2 CK (if completed)
- IFOM BSE/CSE score reports (if completed)
- Application Fee: $100, payable by credit card at submission
- Documents not in English must be submitted with certified English translations and affidavit of accuracy
- For transferring residents, upload under “Other Documents”:
- Release letter from current Program Director (if enrolled in a categorical track)
- Residency verification letter including current standing, completed rotations, performance evaluations, and procedure/operative logs (More details)
- Applicants applying with USMLE scores must request the official transcript from ECFMG via Form 172. The Official Transcript should be sent to the GME Office by January 08, 2026.
- Important: Keep original documents ready. You will be notified by email if submission in person or by courier is required.
- Some programs (e.g., Emergency Medicine, Neurology, Psychiatry) will require a personal statement later in the process. Do not upload it with your online application. Email it to the program only when called for an interview.
Deadline to upload pending documents: January 08, 2026
2. Application Choices
- You may apply to two programs only.
- Each application is submitted separately:
- The first application submitted = First Choice
- The second application = Second Choice
- Only one payment of $100 is required.
- Program choices will remain confidential during selection.
- Important:
- If accepted to both programs, you will automatically be enrolled in your first choice.
- The system will not allow more than two applications.
- No changes to choices are allowed after submission.
3. Application Process
- Incomplete or ineligible applications will be rejected (fees are non-refundable).
- Eligible applications are forwarded to respective programs.
- Applicants may be invited for interviews in one or two programs (not all eligible applicants will be interviewed).
- Some programs may require additional clinical assessments (e.g., OSCEs).
- Final results are released after GME Committee approval.
- Applicants who accept a position and sign the Letter of Intent but later withdraw will be ineligible to reapply to AUB GME programs in the future.
International Applicants
Must authenticate their MD and submit the Lebanese BaccII equivalency before enrollment in the Ministry of Higher Education. This ensures a smooth procedure when notarizing residency diplomas later. Click HERE for General Education certificate equivalence and HERE for University certificate equivalences (MD).
IV. Key Dates & Deadlines
Final Deadline to Upload Pending Documents
| January 08, 2026 |
|---|
Interview Period
| February – March 2025 |
| Decision Notification | Around end of April 2025 |
| GME Orientation Week (Mandatory) | June 8 – 12, 2026 |
| Start of Academic Year | June 15, 2026 |
For further inquiries and clarifications, please check our FAQs or contact the Office of Graduate Medical Education.