About the Specialties Matching Service (SMS)

In addition to the Match for first and second year residency positions, the NRMP's Specialties Matching Service (SMS) conducts matches for advanced residency or fellowship positions. Those specialty matches occur throughout the year and each requires its own registration process with the NRMP. Fellowship positions generally begin in July.

Specialties Matching Service is a service provided by the NRMP to organizations of training program directors whose entry level positions require applicants to have completed one or more years of graduate medical education. To qualify for matching services, sponsoring organizations must identify an individual to represent the organization in negotiating the terms of the services to be provided. Beginning in July 2001 and each year thereafter, in order for matching services to be provided, each specialty is requested to:

• verify that at least 75% of the programs with available positions in a given year will be registered for the match,
• encourage programs to actively participate by submitting a rank order list, and
• have at least 75% of the available positions within the specialty registered with the NRMP.

Organizations receiving matching services are expected to identify eligible programs and to assist the NRMP in communicating with the member programs. Contact the NRMP at (202) 862-6077or toll free 1-866-617-5834 if you wish to discuss establishing a new sub-specialty match.

The Schedule of Dates for each fellowship match are negotiated with sponsoring organizations. The NRMP reserves the right to adjust SMS schedules to accommodate the demands for its services.

The following specialty matches are managed by the NRMP. The dates in parenthesis indicate the year when the match started.

• Abdominal Transplant Surgery (2005)
• Allergy/Immunology (2007)
• Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (1995)
• Colon & Rectal Surgery (1984)
• Combined Musculoskeletal Matching Program (CMMP)
  • Foot & Ankle (1990-1992; rejoined in 2007)
  • Hand Surgery (1990)
• Medical Specialties Matching Program (MSMP)
  • Cardiovascular Disease (1986)
  • Endocrinology (will start in 2008)
  • Gastroenterology (1986-1999; rejoined in 2006)
  • Hematology (2006)
  • Hematology/Oncology (2006)
  • Infectious Disease (1986-1990; rejoined in 1994)
  • Nephrology (will start in 2008)
  • Oncology (2006)
  • Pulmonary(1986)
  • Pulmonary and Critical Medicine (1986)
  • Rheumatology (2005)
• Minimally Invasive and Gastrointestinal Surgery (2003)
• Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (will start in 2008)
• Obstetrics/Gynecology
  • Reproductive Endocrinology (1991)
  • Gynecologic Oncology (1993)
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine (1994)
  • Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery (2001)
• Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (1991)
• Pediatric Cardiology (1999)
• Pediatric Critical Care Medicine (2000)
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine (1994)
• Pediatric Gastroenterology(2007)
• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (2001)
• Pediatric Rheumatology (2004)
• Pediatric Surgery (1992)
• Primary Care Sports Medicine (1994)
• Radiology
  • Interventional Radiology (2002)
  • Neuroradiology (2001)
• Surgical Critical Care (2004)
• Thoracic Surgery (1988)
• Vascular Surgery (1988)

For information on a specific specialty match, please go to Participating Fellowships.

Updated: 09/04/2007