Policies & Compliance
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The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) maintains Match policies for applicants, programs, medical schools, and institutions. Match policies are designed to ensure a fair and transparent matching process by outlining the rights and responsibilities of Match participants and the guidelines for participation they must follow.
Submit a Waiver/Deferral Form
Are you an applicant or program looking to request a waiver? Review the Requesting a Waiver page for more information and submit a request using the Waiver/Deferral Forms.
Report an Alleged Violation
Are you an applicant or program wanting to report an alleged violation? View the Reporting and Investigation of Violations page for more information and submit a claim using the Alleged Violation Report Forms.
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Results Returned
2025 Match Participation Agreement for Applicants
As part of the Match registration process, every participant must electronically sign the Match Participation Agreement (MPA). The agreements outline the rights and responsibilities of each participant in the Main Residency Match.
2026 Match Participation Agreement for Applicants
As part of the Match registration process, every participant must electronically sign the Match Participation Agreement (MPA). The agreements outline the rights and responsibilities of each participant in the Main Residency Match.
Alleged Violation Report Forms
The NRMP requires all Match participants to behave in an ethical and professionally responsible manner. Alleged breaches of Match policy are taken seriously and are subject to violation investigation. Review the Reporting and Investigation of Violations page and the Violations Policy for more information. Applicants and programs can submit a claim of an alleged breach of Match Policy using…
Frequently Asked Questions: Waivers
A non Match-participating program at my institution offered a position to an applicant who has a concurrent year match to another program. Is my institution liable? Institutional officials must ensure that none of their programs, regardless of Match participation status, discusses, interviews for, or offers a position to an applicant who has matched to or…
Match Code of Conduct: Applicants
The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) ensures high professional standards in the conduct of its Matching Program and expects all Match participants to conduct their affairs in a professionally responsible manner. Ethical communication and behavior between applicants, program directors and staff, and medical school officials, faculty, and staff is essential to maintaining a fair and transparent…
Policy Highlights – Applicants
Applicants are responsible for the entire Match Participation Agreement, but the bullets below highlight key parts of the Agreement (and where to find them in the Agreement) that can make it easier to navigate the Match and Match policies.
Policy Tips and Reminders for Match Participants
Stay Informed. Stay Compliant. Support a Fair Match! Each year, thousands of applicants, programs, and medical schools participate in the Main Residency Match®. The National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) is committed to ensuring a transparent and fair process for all participants. To help participants understand and meet their obligations under the Match Participation Agreement, NRMP…
Policy Tips: Waivers & Deferrals
Learn the basics of NRMP’s waiver and deferral policy in this quick-reference handout for applicants and programs. This handout provides an overview of the binding commitment, common reasons for requests, and key reminders about what applicants and programs can and cannot do while a request is pending.
Privacy Statement
Last Updated: February 9, 2026 Our Commitment to Privacy The National Resident Matching Program® (“NRMP®”), a non-profit organization, collects, uses, and discloses Personal Information that you provide or that is generated or received in connection with NRMP’s matching services including our websites, applications, and technology platforms (collectively, the “Services”). “Personal Information” as used in this Privacy Statement refers to information that is related to an identified or…
Professional Behavior
Participants must demonstrate professional behavior throughout the application, interview, and matching processes. Learn more about expectations regarding professional behavior.
Reporting and Investigation of Violations
The NRMP requires all Match participants to behave in an ethical and professionally responsible manner. Alleged breaches of Match policy are taken seriously and are subject to violation investigation. Applicants and programs can submit a claim of an alleged breach of Match Policy using the Alleged Violation Forms. Read the Violations Policy. Common Policy Breaches…
Requesting a Waiver/Deferral
Under the terms and conditions of the NRMP Match Participation Agreement, all matches are binding. If for any reason an applicant or program cannot or will not honor the binding commitment, a waiver must be obtained from the NRMP. Applicants and programs are not authorized to release each other from the binding commitment. Waivers can be…
Social Media Policy
By posting on any national resident matching program social media pages, you agree to these terms.
Violations Policy
The NRMP requires all Match participants to behave in an ethical and professionally responsible manner. Alleged breaches of Match policy are taken seriously and are subject to violation investigation. Review below the Violations Policy for more information. Applicants and programs can submit a claim of an alleged breach of Match Policy using the following links: Alleged Violation…
Waiver Policy
If for any reason a matched applicant or program cannot or will not honor the binding commitment, a waiver or deferral must be requested from the NRMP. Review the Requesting a Waiver page and the Waiver Policy below for more information. Requests must be submitted on the appropriate Applicant or Program Waiver/Deferral form. Waivers based…
Waiver/Deferral Forms
If for any reason a matched applicant or program cannot or will not honor the binding commitment, a waiver or deferral must be requested from the NRMP. Review the Requesting a Waiver page and the Waiver Policy for more information. Requests must be submitted on the appropriate Applicant or Program Wavier/Deferral form.
Why Match Policy Matters
The NRMP has a long-standing reputation for maintaining a matching program that meets its core mission: to provide services that are fair, transparent, efficient, and reliable. To help achieve this mission, the NRMP offers a robust set of policies and procedures that provide clear guidance on Match participation. The NRMP’s Match policies also protect the rights and…