Hello Priya,
As most of the colleges don't participate in electronic communication with ecfmg, some documents have to be sent after online form fillup . The entire time for paperwork, sending it to ecfmg via courier, their processing time takes quite a few weeks.
Hence it is advisable to start application 3to 4 months prior to start of eligibility period (the triad of months).

Hi Priya,

An ECFMG application becomes valid immediately after applying. So for Step 1 in November, you may apply anytime before it. 

I would suggest well in advance as there are a few requirements for the application that you should have beforehand while applying.

Please refer to this link before you apply. https://iwa2.ecfmg.org/appforcert/onlinedocs/afcoverview.aspx

All the best!

United States Medical Licensing Examination

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