What are the types of program positions in the Main Residency Match?
There are five different position types in the Main Residency Match: Categorical, "C"; Primary, "M"; Preliminary, "P"; Advanced, "A"; and Reserved, "R".
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100–108 of 262 Results
Can I offer a position to an applicant who has been released by the matched program? Can I release an applicant from my program?
Applicants and programs are not authorized to release each other from a binding commitment. As stated in the Match Participation Agreement, once a party has matched, or a position has been offered and accepted during SOAP®, a waiver of the binding commitment may be obtained only from the NRMP. Moreover, the Agreement also prohibits any program at a…
I am the director of a PGY-1 only program. Can I ask about the advanced PGY-2 programs to which an applicant is applying so I can be sure the applicant ranks the correct PGY-1 track?
No. The prohibition on questions about other programs to which an applicant is applying pertains to all programs regardless of PGY level.
I understand programs cannot ask about the geographic locations of programs to which applicants have or may apply or rank. Can program directors inquire about geographic regions?
No. The restriction on questions about applicants’ interviewing behaviors includes geographic region; however, programs can ask applicants why they are interested in the city or state where that program is located.
As a fellowship program director, one of my current residents has asked me for advice about other fellowship programs to which she should apply. Am I allowed to discuss programs in which she might be interested?
Yes. Restricting a program’s ability to ask applicants about the names, specialties, geographical locations, or other identifying information about programs to which applicants have or may apply is not intended to limit mentoring relationships. Residency and fellowship program directors are encouraged to help applicants and residents who seek guidance about their training plans.
Why are program directors and faculty not permitted to ask applicants anything about the programs to which they have or may apply or rank?
Limiting questions about other programs protects and respects an applicant’s right to privacy and minimizes undue or unwarranted pressure. In addition, programs are encouraged to submit rank order lists that are based on applicants’ credentials and goodness of fit for the program rather than the likelihood of the applicant ranking the program. Programs still can…
An applicant has contacted me about an open position in my program. What should my first step be?
Prior to discussing, interviewing for, or offering a position to an applicant, program directors are required to determine an applicant’s eligibility by verifying the applicant’s appointment status in the Applicant Match History that is available in the R3® system and/or by calling the NRMP to obtain that information. The Applicant Match History lists the appointment status of…
April 2026 Illuminator Newsletter
Shining a Light on Match News that Matters This issue of the Illuminator includes: NRMP® Celebrates Match Day for the 2026 Main Residency Match® On Friday, March 20, the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP) announced the results of the 2026 Main Residency Match®, the largest in the organization’s history, with over 53,000 applicants registered and…
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…