Help & Support - Policies & Compliance

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Can our three-year medical education pathway program inform students that they will have a “direct progression” to a residency specialty once they complete the three-year medical education program?

Applicants, schools, and Match-participating residency training programs may not enter into verbal or written agreements with students for positions outside of the Match. “Direct progression” implies that the school and program guarantee placement, which is a Match violation. Phrases like “directed pathway,” “positioned to match,” or “highly ranked” may be considered when communicating with students.…

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.

Can programs use more than one application service?

NRMP policy does not prohibit programs from utilizing more than one application service or process. NRMP will require programs to notify applicants, at the beginning of the application and recruitment season, which application service or process they intend to use for both Main Residency Match and SOAP.

Do I have to participate in the Match if I am applying to OB/GYN?

Yes. Regardless of the application process or service required by programs, applicants applying to OB/GYN will still participate in the Main Residency Match to obtain their residency positions.

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

Yes, NRMP policy requires that all programs inform applicants about the specific application service(s) or process(es) they intend to use during the Main Residency Match and SOAP. In addition, the NRMP’s Registration, Ranking, and Results system (R3) requires Main Residency Match programs to identify all of the application services they will accept for the transition…

How do programs fill any unfilled positions after a NRMP Match?

Main Residency Match: Program directors who learn on Monday of Match Week that they did not fill their positions can participate in the Match Week Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program® (SOAP®), provided they notified the NRMP prior to the Quota Change Deadline of the desire to participate in SOAP. Fellowship Matches: Specialties Matching Service® program directors who…

How will applicants who apply to OB/GYN during the algorithm phase of the Main Residency 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…

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…

How will I know which application service to use?

Main Residency Match programs are 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). Programs should consider how best to share their preferred application service or process to applicants at the start of the…

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.

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…

Will the NRMP continue to require the use of ERAS application service for SOAP?

No. ERAS will be recognized and supported as one of the application services utilized for the submission of residency applications during SOAP.

What are possible exceptions to the All In Policy?

Rural Scholars Programs: Students commit to an enriched MS-4 year that focuses on rural health issues and tracks into primary care residency at the institution. Family Medicine Accelerated Programs: Students graduate medical school in three years and make an early commitment to Family Medicine at the institution. Innovative Programs: Students recruited into programs that address a compelling public…

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…

Would it be an NRMP violation if a program conducted hybrid interviews by offering applicants the option to have either an in-person or virtual interview? The Codes of Conduct for Programs state programs must minimize bias by conducting interviews in-person or virtually, but not both.

It is not a violation of NRMP policy to conduct hybrid interviews. However, the NRMP Codes of Conduct expect programs to engage in recruitment activities that promote transparency and wellness and minimize bias. Programs are encouraged to develop interview processes and policies ensuring that each applicant has an equal opportunity to communicate equitably with the…

Am I allowed to share the List of Unfilled Programs in the secure R3 system?

No. It is a violation of the Match Participation Agreement for the List of Unfilled Programs to be copied, shared, or distributed to any individual not registered for the Match or posted or in any other way made publicly available by a Match participant to any website or non-NRMP-related matching plan. Match participants who share the List…

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…

Are programs required to obtain a signed (electronic or written) acknowledgement of institution and program policies and eligibility requirements from all applicants or only those who interview with the program?

Programs shall obtain signed (electronic or written) acknowledgement of receipt from all applicants they interview. Programs are not required to obtain the signature of applicants they did not interview; however, programs should ensure the information is made available via electronic (website) or written means.

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.

Do I need to provide applicants with information about the appointment contract and conditions of employment?

Find out more about the responsibilities of institutions/programs to provide you with information about the appointment contract.

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 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.

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.

My academic, professional, and/or personal information has changed since I interviewed with programs. What should I do?

NRMP policy requires applicants to provide complete, timely, and accurate information to programs. Accordingly, changes to personal, academic, or professional information that could affect eligibility for appointment or ability to obtain licensure must be conveyed to programs, even if you already have submitted your application and/or completed program forms or documents. Failure to provide complete, timely, and accurate…

What information should I make available to applicants during the interview process?

NRMP policy states that programs are at all times responsible for the completeness, timeliness, and accuracy of information they provide to applicants, including: a copy of the contract the applicant will be expected to sign if matched to the program, or a copy of the contract currently in use all institutional policies regarding eligibility for…

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.

Whitelisting NRMP Emails

Details for IT departments to whitelist NRMP emails.

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…

My program is conducting in-person interviews, so what is the acceptable timeframe to notify applicants of rescheduling an interview?

In Section 6.2 of the Match Participation Agreement for Programs, the NRMP has stipulated a “reasonable” timeframe when notifying applicants of any cancellations or rescheduling interviews, regardless of whether the program is conducting virtual or in-person interviews. The NRMP suggests that programs provide one-to-two weeks’ notice recognizing that applicants often book travel arrangements several weeks…

What does it mean that a program must extend interview offers that equal, not exceed, the total number of available interview slots?

During the recruitment phase, programs are expected to offer only the total number of interview slots they have available and not exceed that number by overbooking applicants. If applicants reject or cancel an interview, programs can offer those interview slots to other applicants.

What happens if my program requires applicants to respond to an interview offer within 24 hours, but they have up to 48 hours to schedule an interview?

All applicants must be provided no less than 48 hours to accept or reject an interview invitation, see Section 6.2 of the Match Participation Agreement for Programs. Requiring applicants to respond within 24 hours violates Match policy and may result in a violations investigation. The goal of the policy, which aligns with the policy of…

Would it be an NRMP violation if a program conducted hybrid interviews by offering applicants the option to have either an in-person or virtual interview? The Codes of Conduct for Programs state programs must minimize bias by conducting interviews in-person or virtually, but not both.

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…

Am I allowed to share the List of Unfilled Programs in the secure R3 system?

Are programs required to obtain a signed (electronic or written) acknowledgement of institution and program policies and eligibility requirements from all applicants or only those who interview with the program?

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…

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…

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…

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…

Do I need to provide applicants with information about the appointment contract and conditions of employment?

Find out more about the responsibilities of institutions/programs to provide you with information about the appointment contract.

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…

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…

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…

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

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.

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…

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…

Is my R3 system login for my program or just for me?

User accounts in the R3 system are assigned to individual users, not programs. Each user (PD and PC) must have their own user account and each must sign the Match Participation Agreement. Each user of the R3 system should have a unique username and password that should not be shared with other individuals. Use of…

My academic, professional, and/or personal information has changed since I interviewed with programs. What should I do?

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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?

Am I allowed to share the List of Unfilled Programs in the secure R3 system?

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…

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

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…

How can I learn about violation investigations conducted by the NRMP?

The NRMP maintains an Institution and Program Violations Report in the Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system that is available to applicants who register for any NRMP Match. The report displays information about graduate medical education programs and sponsoring institutions that have violated the Match Participation Agreement and displays term limits of any sanction(s) imposed.

I have just learned that I am being investigated for a SOAP violation. Will I be sanctioned?

If you are investigated for a SOAP® violation, it means you may have violated a SOAP policy, and the NRMP is authorized to levy sanctions if a violation of SOAP policy is confirmed. Those sanctions could include being barred from participating in SOAP during the next year’s Match.

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

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?