Non-Standard Training (NST) programs offer a structured clinical training pathway for foreign national physicians in advanced subspecialty areas that do not have Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accreditation or American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member board certification. These programs enable foreign national physicians to participate in training under a J-1 visa, sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). 

To be eligible to apply for NST status, your program must: 

1. Be an existing SHC fellowship program that is not accredited by the ACGME.
2. Have received formal recognition as a Graduate Medical Education (GME) fellowship program. If your program has not yet been recognized by GME, you must first obtain approval from the Program Expansion and Funding Committee. Please contact the GME office or complete this online application for GMEC approval: https://stanfordmedicine.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b7yuOQw9TuLk4qa

For more information, please refer to the NST Program Manual developed by Stanford GME. This manual outlines the process for establishing an NST program and the requirements for programs with active J-1 visa fellows. Please contact your GME Program Manager for any further questions you may have.