changing from j1 research to j1 clinical

You can switch from J1 research to J1 clinical while in the US called change of category
The application process is through ECFMG
ECFMG officers are familiar with the process and can guide you through it if you contact the Exchange Visitor Sponsorship Program (EVSP)
By telephone: (215) 823-2121
You do not need to visit a US embassy (conciliate) when applying for change of category from J1 research to J1 clinical
At the end of the process you will be granted a DS 2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status) and this will allow you to start your residency
In order to travel out of the US you will need to apply for a visa stamp at an Embassy

I personally know several successful applicants who changed from J1 research to clinical while in the US
I was on J1 research and changed my visa to J clinical from my home country with no problems
I personally know applicants who where on J2 and applied to J1 from their home country with no problems

Any visa change can be denied or delayed, change of category seems like one of the safer visa changes

This PDF outlines the process of change of category described above
www.ecfmg.org/evsp/evspcocmemo.pdf

Process outline copied from ECFMG

Complete Application for ECFMG Sponsorship. Please see J-1 Visa Sponsorship Applications at www.ecfmg.org/evsp/application-online.html for additional information on the application process and all general application requirements.
• Copies of all current and previous Forms DS-2019.
• Copy of current Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
• Statement of Educational Objectives (SEO) from Applicant. Letter from the applicant outlining his/her educational objectives in the United States, correlation between current research activities and proposed clinical activities, and how this objective relates to anticipated activities upon return to the home country.
• Research Mentor Support Letter. Letter of support from current research program director/mentor clearly explaining how the research activities relate to the proposed clinical training activity.
• Responsible Officer Form. Signed acknowledgment from the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) of the current sponsoring J-1 program confirming his/her knowledge that (1) a change of category is being pursued, (2) the Exchange Visitor will maintain J-1 status while the change of category request is pending and (3) program release and SEVIS transfer will be granted if DOS approves the requested change in category; the requested acknowledgement must be confirmed through completion of the "Responsible Officer/Alternate
Responsible Officer Change of Category Acknowledgement" form available at www.ecfmg.org/evsp/category.pdf.
• Clinical Program Director Support Letter. Letter of support from proposed clinical program director clearly explaining how the research activities relate to the proposed clinical training activity.
• ECFMG Application Fees of $445.00. Fees include the $285.00 regular application fee + $160.00 for change of category case review and preparation. Preferred method of payment is through ECFMG’s on-line payment system, OASIS.
• DOS Fee of $367.00. This fee is separate from any and all ECFMG fees. If possible, this fee should be paid to ECFMG through OASIS. ECFMG will, in turn, submit payment to DOS on behalf of the applicant.
• Proof of SEVIS Payment (i.e., receipt).
o The $180.00 SEVIS fee must be paid for every change of category request, even if paid
previously upon original entry to the United States.
o The fee is payable online at fmjfee.com; a printable receipt will be immediately
available upon payment.
o Information from the current (i.e.,research) Form DS-2019 must be used to complete
payment.

Great thanks Dr. Salah!

What about the 2 year foreign residence rule? is it applicable with changing of the category?

Hey I am also in the same situation but my j1 research visa is only for one year which expires in march. Can I go back to my home country and apply for a j1 clinical visa after I match or is it mandatory to change the category? Kindly address my confusion. I haven't found the answer to this in any of the forums. Also I am not being paid during the research. I take care of my expenses. Thank you