ECFMG vs USMLE Step fees
Use /pay/usmle for Step exam scheduling payments where applicable. This page covers ECFMG program and certification-line fees on ECFMG.org.
What works
Fund a Visa before deadlines on pathways that require sequential payments.
With Plu
Use Plu Visa on ECFMG secure payment flows.
FAQ
Will my Plu card work for ECFMG certification payments?
Yes. Plu issues a Visa card built for international merchant billing. ECFMG certification processes payments through standard card rails, so a funded Plu card with sufficient balance clears at checkout or on renewal — including recurring charges.
Why does my local card sometimes fail on ECFMG certification?
ECFMG certification bills through US- and EU-based processors. Domestic-only debit cards or bank cards without international authorization often get rejected at the network level — not by ECFMG certification itself. Plu is a Visa card explicitly built for cross-border SaaS and subscription billing, so authorization profiles match what ECFMG certification's acquirer expects.
How do I fund Plu before paying ECFMG certification?
Top up Plu via local bank transfer, mobile money in supported markets (M-Pesa, Wave, Orange Money, MTN MoMo), or USDT/USDC on Tron (TRC20) or Ethereum (ERC20). Stablecoins clear in seconds with sub-$1 network fees on Tron. Once funded, add your Plu Visa in ECFMG certification's billing settings and you're ready to pay.
Country blogs (e.g. Nigeria blog) add local context; these guides stay global so we do not duplicate thin pages per market.