News

The National Resident Matching Program^® (NRMP^®) has recently learned that the Department of Veterans Affairs is enhancing its security posture by strengthening credential and vetting practices per Federal guidelines. As we understand it, in addition to the fingerprint and law enforcement Special Agreement Check (SAC), which will still be required, Health Professions Trainees will be subject to additional suitability checks that vary based on citizenship status. This change in the vetting process(es) may significantly impact many institutions across the country.

A cornerstone of the NRMP’s Match Participation Agreements is the required disclosure of complete, timely, and accurate information. For programs specifically that includes institutional policies regarding eligibility for appointment, such as, but not limited to,

• Expected or required academic, educational, or prior training credentials;
• Pre-employment drug testing and background check; and
• Information relevant to licensure status or visa status.  

The Match Participation Agreement mandates that such information be provided to all interviewed applicants prior to the published Rank Order List (ROL) deadline for the Main Match and all fellowship Matches. For applicants, this ensures they have the information necessary to know what each program requires to consider them eligible for training.

If your institution has any affiliation with the VA, we ask that you immediately begin working with your programs, especially those in the Main Residency Match and the Fellowship Matches that remain open for July 2025 appointments, to ensure they are aware of the new requirements and are communicating those requirements to their interviewed applicants.  This change already is in effect for international medical graduate health professions trainees and will be implemented for U.S. physicians in April 2025.  Disclosure of these new vetting protocols is an essential step in maintaining compliance with Match policy.

We recognize that many Match-participating programs rely on rotations at the VA to ensure their residents receive comprehensive training and that residents who do not pass the necessary screenings may have limited options.  The NRMP expects programs to explore alternatives for those applicants; however, the NRMP’s Waiver Policy outlines the procedures that must be followed in the event a program must sever its match commitment to an applicant.

UPDATE! The NRMP has received another resource from the OAA at the VA.  Please review both documents to gain some insight and guidance on the changes:

• The Six Essential Questions for the VHA Tier 1 Background Investigation/Foreign National Vetting 
• Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness – Enhanced Security Memo

As the OAA at the VA continues to release information, the NRMP will post and notify the GME community to ensure continuity of and access to important information for the 2025-2026 appointment year. If you have questions, please contact policy@nrmp.org.