This site uses cookies for analytics. By continuing to browse this site, you agree to this use. Read our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Help & Support

If you still have questions, our team is available to assist you. Contact us for additional support.

Support 866-653-NRMP
Policy 202-400-2235
Billing 202-400-2238
128 Results Returned

What is the process if I am investigated for an alleged violation of the Match Participation Agreement?

The NRMP solicits information from the applicant, program, and/or any other individuals with knowledge of the situation. A Preliminary Report documenting the nature of the allegation is prepared. If the results of the investigation indicate that a violation has not occurred, the case is closed. If the results of the investigation indicate a violation likely…
MORE

I’ve been offered a position outside the Main Residency Match. What should I do?

NRMP policy states that if any of an institution’s programs participate in the Main Residency Match, all of the institution’s programs must offer positions to U.S. MD and U.S. DO senior students through the Main Residency Match or another national matching plan. U.S. medical school graduates and students and graduates of international medical schools can…
MORE

What happens if I obtain a position and decide not to accept it? Can my program release me from my obligation to attend?

The Match Participation Agreement states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to accept a position if a match results and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment contract. For the Main Residency Match®, the same…
MORE

As an applicant, how long must I remain in my matched program?

Applicants who give notice of resignation, resign, or vacate a position within 45 days of the start date specified in the appointment contract are presumed to have breached NRMP policy unless they can demonstrate, through the NRMP waiver process, that they entered into the program in good faith and the NRMP determines they have a…
MORE

Can programs ask me to commit to a SOAP offer prior to the offer being extended to me through the R3 system?

No, program offers and applicant acceptances of unfilled positions during SOAP® can be executed only through the NRMP’s R3® system. It is a violation of the Match Participation Agreement for a program to suggest or inform an applicant that placement on the program’s SOAP preference list is contingent upon the applicant’s verbal or written statement of…
MORE

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…
MORE

I’m ready to create my rank order list. Should I include all programs where I interviewed even if I’m not sure I want to train there?

The Match Participation Agreement you signed electronically when you registered for the Match states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to accept a position if a match results and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment…
MORE

How do I know if an applicant has a binding commitment to another NRMP Match-participating program?

The Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system includes an Applicant Match History feature that indicates whether an applicant has a binding commitment to another Match-participating program and whether the applicant has been denied a waiver or has a confirmed violation of the Match Participation Agreement.  The Applicant Match History must be used by program directors and…
MORE

What do I do if an applicant who has a binding commitment to my program does not show up for training?

The Match Participation Agreement states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to offer and accept a position and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment contract.  For the Main Residency Match®, the same binding…
MORE

During my interview, the program director asked me about other programs to which I had applied and how I plan to rank them. Must I provide that information?

No. You may volunteer information about where you have applied and how you plan to rank programs, but programs are prohibited from asking you to disclose the information. Any program that asks an applicant to disclose information about preference signals or the names, specialties, geographic location, or other identifying information about programs to which an…
MORE

As a U.S. senior, I’ve been offered a position outside the Main Residency Match®. What should I do?

NRMP policy states that if any of an institution’s programs participate in the Main Residency Match, all of the institution’s programs must offer positions to U.S. MD and U.S. DO senior students through the Main Residency Match or another national matching plan. Offering a position to a U.S. senior outside the Main Residency Match is a violation by for the program and should…
MORE

I obtained a position in the Main Residency Match®, but I just learned that I will not graduate in time to begin training on July 1. What should I do?

The Match Participation Agreement states that applicants must meet ACGME® and institutional requirements prior to the start of training in order to be eligible for their matched positions.  If you learn you are ineligible to honor your binding commitment, you must immediately submit to the NRMP a request for a waiver of your match commitment .  You also…
MORE

Do I need to verify my students and graduates for participation in the Main Residency Match?

Medical school officials/administrators (SO/SA) are required to verify the graduation credentials of their students and prior-year gradautes to participate in the Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). Credentials vertification is an important task: only students and graduates who are verified as eligible to enter graduate medical education (GME) on July 1…
MORE

Should I rank all the programs at which I interviewed?

Rank only those programs where you are able and would be happy to train. Putting a program on your ROL creates a binding commitment if a match occurs, so review carefully each program’s eligibility requirements and the contract you will be expected to sign. You should receive that information from programs during the application/interview process.…
MORE

If I match to an advanced program on my primary rank order list (ROL), but do not match to one of the linked preliminary programs on my supplemental list, will the algorithm keep going down my list to match me to both position types?

No. If the algorithm has matched you to an advanced position on your primary ROL and is not able to match you to a preliminary position on your linked supplemental ROL, it will not keep going down your list. In that case, you are committed to the advanced position and must seek a qualifying first-year…
MORE

Do I have to register for ERAS® or the application service designated by the program and NRMP to participate in the Match?

Most residency programs participating in the Main Residency Match and many fellowships participating in the Specialties Matching Service use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges® (AAMC). ERAS is a separate organization and thus requires a separate registration by applicants.  You must register for both the application service designated by…
MORE

I’m applying to a specialty that offers the option of submitting preference signals to programs.  Can a program I interview with ask me about the programs I might have signaled?

No.  Programs are prohibited from asking applicants any information about the programs to which they have or may apply, and that includes whether the applicant submitted preferences signals. Program directors who ask for that information could be in violation of the Match Participation Agreement and the matter should be reported to the NRMP.
MORE

I did not Match to a position in the Main Residency Match when the matching algorithm was processed. What options do I have for Match Week?

Applicants who are partially matched or fully unmatched after the algorithm is processed can elect to participate in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program to try an obtain a position in an unfilled program. Applicants also can choose not to participate in SOAP and pursue a non-clinical training position provided: The position sought is not…
MORE

Does the NRMP have any Match data or analytics to assist me in preparing for the Match?

Part of the NRMP’s mission is to develop and distribute data reports and publications that inform national conversations about the transition to residency and advance understanding of the matching process and outcomes. Therefore, we offer a variety of data and reports to assist applicants, program directors, medical school and program faculty, and others involved or…
MORE

I am a partially-matched applicant or part of a couple where one partner is unmatched and one partner matched. Can I find out the geographic location where I matched?

Partially-matched applicants and couple applicants whose partner did not match will have the city, state, and zip code of their matched program provided on their Match Home page in the R3 system when the Match status notification is released on Monday of Match Week. Applicants who are fully matched will not have any location information…
MORE

How will I know which application service to use if I register to participate in SOAP only?

Programs will be required to disclose to applicants, at the start of recruitment, the application service or process they will require for the Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). The NRMP R3 system also will identify the program’s selections and expects programs to clearly communicate that information and make it readily…
MORE

Do programs have to disclose the application process they intend to use for both Main Match and SOAP to applicants?

Yes.  Although changes to the application and recruitment process will not begin until September 2024, NRMP policy requires that all programs inform applicants about the specific application service or process they intend to use beginning with the 2024 Main Residency Match and for SOAP. In addition, the NRMP’s Registration, Ranking, and Results system (R3) will…
MORE

How will applicants who apply to OB/GYN during the algorithm phase of the 2025 Match, and go unmatched, apply to programs during SOAP?

Applicants will utilize the application service or process designated by the specialty or the program. Any residency application service that supports programs participating in the Main Residency Match will work with the NRMP to establish and/or maintain a seamless exchange of applicant information so applicants are able to move through the Match Week and SOAP…
MORE

Will the NRMP revise its Match Participation Agreement for the Main Residency Match to reflect changes to the application process?

Historically, the NRMP has shown no preference for, or mandated applicants or programs using a particular application service or process. With the onset of the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP) in 2012, the NRMP modified its Match Participation Agreements to identify the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) as the required application service during Match…
MORE

Will NRMP require a different registration for me if I use the OB/GYN application service?

At this time, no. The NRMP registration process will remain the same for all participants in the Match.  Applicants and programs will continue to register separately for the application service and the Main Residency Match, regardless of the application service that is used. However, the NRMP and Liaison International are seeking ways in which these…
MORE

What happens if I obtain a position and decide not to accept it? Can my program release me from my obligation to attend?

The Match Participation Agreement states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to accept a position if a match results and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment contract. For the Main Residency Match®, the same…
MORE

As an applicant, how long must I remain in my matched program?

Applicants who give notice of resignation, resign, or vacate a position within 45 days of the start date specified in the appointment contract are presumed to have breached NRMP policy unless they can demonstrate, through the NRMP waiver process, that they entered into the program in good faith and the NRMP determines they have a…
MORE

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.
MORE

I’m ready to create my rank order list. Should I include all programs where I interviewed even if I’m not sure I want to train there?

The Match Participation Agreement you signed electronically when you registered for the Match states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to accept a position if a match results and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment…
MORE

How do I know if an applicant has a binding commitment to another NRMP Match-participating program?

The Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system includes an Applicant Match History feature that indicates whether an applicant has a binding commitment to another Match-participating program and whether the applicant has been denied a waiver or has a confirmed violation of the Match Participation Agreement.  The Applicant Match History must be used by program directors and…
MORE

What do I do if an applicant who has a binding commitment to my program does not show up for training?

The Match Participation Agreement states that a match between an applicant and a program creates a binding commitment to offer and accept a position and to start training in good faith (i.e., with the intent to complete the program) on the date specified in the appointment contract.  For the Main Residency Match®, the same binding…
MORE

I signed a contract outside the Specialties Matching Service®. What should I do?

If you already have registered with the NRMP, you MUST withdraw from the Match by the Rank Order List Certification Deadline.  You can withdraw by logging in to the Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system and selecting a Withdraw option.  Failure to withdraw by the Rank Order List Deadline is a violation of the Match Participation…
MORE

During my interview, the program director asked me about other programs to which I had applied and how I plan to rank them. Must I provide that information?

No. You may volunteer information about where you have applied and how you plan to rank programs, but programs are prohibited from asking you to disclose the information. Any program that asks an applicant to disclose information about preference signals or the names, specialties, geographic location, or other identifying information about programs to which an…
MORE

Should I rank all the programs at which I interviewed?

Rank only those programs where you are able and would be happy to train. Putting a program on your ROL creates a binding commitment if a match occurs, so review carefully each program’s eligibility requirements and the contract you will be expected to sign. You should receive that information from programs during the application/interview process.…
MORE

Do I have to register for ERAS® or the application service designated by the program and NRMP to participate in the Match?

Most residency programs participating in the Main Residency Match and many fellowships participating in the Specialties Matching Service use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) offered by the Association of American Medical Colleges® (AAMC). ERAS is a separate organization and thus requires a separate registration by applicants.  You must register for both the application service designated by…
MORE

Does the NRMP have any Match data or analytics to assist me in preparing for the Match?

Part of the NRMP’s mission is to develop and distribute data reports and publications that inform national conversations about the transition to residency and advance understanding of the matching process and outcomes. Therefore, we offer a variety of data and reports to assist applicants, program directors, medical school and program faculty, and others involved or…
MORE

What requirements for ECFMG certification must I complete to be eligible to participate in the Main Residency Match?

The NRMP will send the list of IMG applicants who have registered for the Main Residency Match to the ECFMG, a member of Intealth, once a week after the Match opens for registration. ECFMG will send back to NRMP whether or not the applicant has completed the necessary medical science examination, clinical skills, and communication…
MORE

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 accepted a concurrent year position in another program or who is ineligible because of a denied waiver or a confirmed violation. Failure to ensure compliance could subject…
MORE

When should programs provide institutional policies, program policies, and eligibility requirements to applicants?

Information pertaining to institutional policies, program policies, and eligibility requirements should be made available to all applicants when the Match and AAMC ERAS (or other) application service opens. This can be easily accomplished by posting the information to the program’s website. Policy information and eligibility requirements must be provided to all applicants who interview with a program prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline or offer made during SOAP.
MORE

My institution requires all employees be vaccinated for COVID-19. Can we directly ask an applicant their vaccination status?

Programs are advised to direct this question to their institution’s GME office or human resources department. If pre-employment criteria requires that all employees be vaccinated for COVID-19, the program must provide that specific eligibility requirement along with all other eligibility requirements to the applicants who interview with the program prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline or offer made during SOAP. 
MORE

Can programs ask applicants what gender-associated pronoun(s) they prefer?

Programs are advised to direct this question to their institution’s GME office or human resources department. Programs may not require applicants to disclose their identified pronoun(s). Programs may allow an applicant to provide their preferred pronoun(s) should the applicant wish to volunteer that information. The NRMP encourages programs to use more inclusive and gender-neutral language when communicating.  
MORE

What changes to my program have to be approved by the insitutional official?

Institutional officials are responsible for approving changes in the R3 system for each of the institution’s Match-participating programs. Program changes requiring approval include: Changing the quota, or number of positions to be filled Entering or changing reversions to donate unfilled positions to another program or program track Withdrawing or reinstating a program Selecting or changing…
MORE

What is a Joint Advanced/Preliminary program?

The R3 system offers institutions and programs in the Main Residency Match the option to link an advanced PGY-2 program with a preliminary PGY-1 program to create a full course of training at the same institution for applicants interested in specialties that begin in the PGY-2 year.  In “joining” an advanced (A) PGY-2 program to a…
MORE

Does the NRMP have any Match data or analytics to assist me in preparing for the Match?

Part of the NRMP’s mission is to develop and distribute data reports and publications that inform national conversations about the transition to residency and advance understanding of the matching process and outcomes. Therefore, we offer a variety of data and reports to assist applicants, program directors, medical school and program faculty, and others involved or…
MORE

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…
MORE

I signed up for the NRMP Match Week and SOAP Listserv. Can I announce the availability of an unfilled position to other listserv participants?

No. Until SOAP® concludes, SOAP policy requires SOAP-participating programs to offer unfilled positions only through the Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system and only to SOAP-eligible applicants. Unfilled positions in non-SOAP-participating programs cannot be offered at all until SOAP concludes.
MORE

What is the All In Policy?

The All In Policy applies to the Main Residency Match® and some Fellowship Matches participating in the Specialties Matching Service®. The All In Policy requires any program in these participating Matches to register and attempt to fill all of its positions through the Match or another national matching plan. A “program” is defined by its ACGME® number. The Policy does…
MORE

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.
MORE

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…
MORE

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 accepted a concurrent year position in another program or who is ineligible because of a denied waiver or a confirmed violation. Failure to ensure compliance could subject…
MORE

Can a program coordinator enter and certify the rank order list for a program?

A program coordinator can create, view, and edit rank order lists. A program coordinator cannot certify rank order lists and is prohibited by the NRMP from assuming that responsibility. Use of a program director’s username and password by the program coordinator to access the R3 system is a breach of the Match Participation Agreement and could…
MORE

When should programs provide institutional policies, program policies, and eligibility requirements to applicants?

Information pertaining to institutional policies, program policies, and eligibility requirements should be made available to all applicants when the Match and AAMC ERAS (or other) application service opens. This can be easily accomplished by posting the information to the program’s website. Policy information and eligibility requirements must be provided to all applicants who interview with a program prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline or offer made during SOAP.
MORE

My institution requires all employees be vaccinated for COVID-19. Can we directly ask an applicant their vaccination status?

Programs are advised to direct this question to their institution’s GME office or human resources department. If pre-employment criteria requires that all employees be vaccinated for COVID-19, the program must provide that specific eligibility requirement along with all other eligibility requirements to the applicants who interview with the program prior to the Rank Order List Certification Deadline or offer made during SOAP. 
MORE

Can programs ask applicants what gender-associated pronoun(s) they prefer?

Programs are advised to direct this question to their institution’s GME office or human resources department. Programs may not require applicants to disclose their identified pronoun(s). Programs may allow an applicant to provide their preferred pronoun(s) should the applicant wish to volunteer that information. The NRMP encourages programs to use more inclusive and gender-neutral language when communicating.  
MORE

How do I set my SOAP participation status?

In order to participate in SOAP, program directors must set their SOAP participation status to “YES” on the SOAP Participation tab accessible through their Program Details page in the R3 system. Program directors can begin setting their SOAP participation indicator when the Main Residency Match opens for registration on September 15th. The SOAP participation indicator…
MORE

What changes to my program have to be approved by the insitutional official?

Institutional officials are responsible for approving changes in the R3 system for each of the institution’s Match-participating programs. Program changes requiring approval include: Changing the quota, or number of positions to be filled Entering or changing reversions to donate unfilled positions to another program or program track Withdrawing or reinstating a program Selecting or changing…
MORE

What is a Joint Advanced/Preliminary program?

The R3 system offers institutions and programs in the Main Residency Match the option to link an advanced PGY-2 program with a preliminary PGY-1 program to create a full course of training at the same institution for applicants interested in specialties that begin in the PGY-2 year.  In “joining” an advanced (A) PGY-2 program to a…
MORE

Does the NRMP have any Match data or analytics to assist me in preparing for the Match?

Part of the NRMP’s mission is to develop and distribute data reports and publications that inform national conversations about the transition to residency and advance understanding of the matching process and outcomes. Therefore, we offer a variety of data and reports to assist applicants, program directors, medical school and program faculty, and others involved or…
MORE

How will I know which application service to use if I register to participate in SOAP only?

Programs will be required to disclose to applicants, at the start of recruitment, the application service or process they will require for the Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). The NRMP R3 system also will identify the program’s selections and expects programs to clearly communicate that information and make it readily…
MORE

Do programs have to disclose the application process they intend to use for both Main Match and SOAP to applicants?

Yes.  Although changes to the application and recruitment process will not begin until September 2024, NRMP policy requires that all programs inform applicants about the specific application service or process they intend to use beginning with the 2024 Main Residency Match and for SOAP. In addition, the NRMP’s Registration, Ranking, and Results system (R3) will…
MORE

How will applicants who apply to OB/GYN during the algorithm phase of the 2025 Match, and go unmatched, apply to programs during SOAP?

Applicants will utilize the application service or process designated by the specialty or the program. Any residency application service that supports programs participating in the Main Residency Match will work with the NRMP to establish and/or maintain a seamless exchange of applicant information so applicants are able to move through the Match Week and SOAP…
MORE

How do I update my school administrator?

The update of a new school administrator (SA) can be made by the school official or the NRMP if some additional information is provided. For the school official to make the update, please see the Adding and Maintaining School Administrators support guide for detailed instructions. For the NRMP to make the update, the school official…
MORE

How do I update my school official?

The update of a new school official (SO) must be made by the NRMP. For the NRMP to make the update, the current SO or the school administrator will need to send an email to support@nrmp.org and provide the following information: Medical School Information New School Official’s Full Name New School Officials’ Date of Birth…
MORE

Do I need to verify my students and graduates for participation in the Main Residency Match?

Medical school officials/administrators (SO/SA) are required to verify the graduation credentials of their students and prior-year gradautes to participate in the Main Residency Match and Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP). Credentials vertification is an important task: only students and graduates who are verified as eligible to enter graduate medical education (GME) on July 1…
MORE

Does the NRMP have any Match data or analytics to assist me in preparing for the Match?

Part of the NRMP’s mission is to develop and distribute data reports and publications that inform national conversations about the transition to residency and advance understanding of the matching process and outcomes. Therefore, we offer a variety of data and reports to assist applicants, program directors, medical school and program faculty, and others involved or…
MORE

As a U.S. senior, I’ve been offered a position outside the Main Residency Match®. What should I do?

NRMP policy states that if any of an institution’s programs participate in the Main Residency Match, all of the institution’s programs must offer positions to U.S. MD and U.S. DO senior students through the Main Residency Match or another national matching plan. Offering a position to a U.S. senior outside the Main Residency Match is a violation by for the program and should…
MORE