2026 Main Residency Match Applicants Calendar
View important dates below and add these dates to your personal calendar to keep track of Match deadlines throughout the process.
Research Programs
Use the Program Directory to explore over 6,000 PGY-1 and PGY-2 programs participating in the Main Residency Match.
Registration
Registration Opens
Match Registration opens and you can create your R3 account.
You must register for both the NRMP and the application service or process required by the program.
Standard Registration is available until January 30, 2026.
2026 Main Residency Match Calendar PDF
2026 Main Residency Match Applicant Checklist
Standard Registration Deadline
Applicant Standard Registration Deadline for the Match and SOAP.
There is a $50 additional fee for late registration after January 30.
View all Match fees.
- Is there a separate registration for the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP)?
- Do I have to register for ERAS® or the application service designated by the program and NRMP to participate in the Match?
- What requirements for ECFMG certification must I complete to be eligible to participate in the Main Residency Match?
Ranking
Ranking Opens
Login to R3 to build and edit your Rank Order List.
The number of positions in each program (quota) has been finalized and can be reviewed in the Program Directory.
Medical schools begin verifying student/graduate graduation credentials.
Support Guide: Enter and Certify a Rank Order List for Applicants
- Enter and Certify a Rank Order List for Residency Applicants
- Recommendations for Constructing a Rank Order List
- Viewing and Certifying Rank Order Lists for Residency Couples
- Creating a Supplemental Rank Order List
- How does the matching algorithm work?
- Should I rank all the programs at which I interviewed?
- Can I rank multiple specialties?
- How many programs can I rank?
- I want to participate in the Match as a couple. Is there a limit to how many programs my partner and I can rank?
- Do I need a supplemental rank order list?
- Am I required to include my AAMC ID when I register for an NRMP Match?
Rank Order List Certification Deadline
Medical school student/graduate graduation credentials verification deadline.
IMG applicant deadline to meet ECFMG verification requirements.
- Enter and Certify a Rank Order List for Residency Applicants
- How do I know that my Rank Order List is certified and I am ready for the Main Residency Match?
- Can I make changes to my rank order list (ROL) after I certify it?
- Can I certify a blank rank order list?
- I did not receive any interviews in the Main Residency Match. Do I need to enter a rank order list?
- What happens between Rank Order List Deadline and Match Day?
Registration Deadline
Applicant late registration for the Match and SOAP and Match withdrawal deadline.
Match Week
Applicant match status available
Applicants learn if they matched (by email and R3 system).
Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) Begins
SOAP-eligible unmatched and partially matched applicants can access the List of Unfilled Programs in the NRMP’s R3 system under the SOAP tab, which will appear at the start of SOAP. NRMP is the authoritative source for applicant SOAP eligibility. The List of Unfilled Programs will show only programs for which the applicant is eligible based on their matched status.
Each application service will display all the unfilled programs using that service for SOAP. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they apply only to positions for which they are eligible, as shown on the SOAP List of Unfilled Programs in the NRMP’s R3 system.
Applicants and their representatives cannot communicate with a program until contacted by that program.
SOAP applicants can start preparing applications
Contact the application service designated by the program with any questions.
Programs begin reviewing SOAP applications
Programs may contact applicants upon receipt of an application and begin interviewing.
Contact the application service designated by the program with any questions.
SOAP Round 1
9:00 am EDT: Applicants receive Round 1 offers by logging in to R3 system.
11:00 am EDT: Applicant deadline to accept/reject Round 1 offers.
List of Unfilled Programs updated in R3 system.
SOAP Round 2
12:00 pm EDT: Applicants receive Round 2 offers.
2:00 pm EDT: Applicant deadline to accept/reject Round 2 offers.
List of Unfilled Programs updated in R3 system.
SOAP Round 3
3:00 pm EDT: Applicants receive Round 3 offers.
5:00 pm EDT: Applicant deadline to accept/reject Round 3 offers.
List of Unfilled Programs updated in R3 system.
SOAP Round 4
6:00 pm EDT: Applicants receive Round 4 offers.
8:00 pm EDT: Applicant deadline to accept/reject Round 4 offers.
SOAP Ends
SOAP ends with the posting of the final List of Unfilled Programs in the R3 system. The List is updated to include unfilled programs not participating in SOAP.
Applicants can begin contacting all remaining unfilled programs. Programs can update the List of Unfilled Programs as positions are filled.
Match Day
Applicant Match results available (by email and within the R3 system).
Medical school Match Day ceremonies.
Advance Data Tables available on www.nrmp.org.