The residency matching process provides an impartial method to match your preferences for residency positions with programs’ preferences for applicants.
There are four services for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited programs in the United States:
- National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®). Administers the Main Residency Match® and matching programs for various fellowships.
- San Francisco Match. The matching and application service for ophthalmology, some positions in plastic surgery, and various fellowships.
- Urology Residency Match. The matching service for urology operated by the American Urological Association (AUA).
- Military Match. Uses the Joint Service Graduate Medical Education Selection Board for Army, Air Force, and Navy residency positions.
Residency programs in Canada accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) participate in the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS), the application and matching service for Canadian programs for all graduating and prior year graduates from Canadian, U.S., and international medical schools who meet the basic eligibility criteria.
Residency Application Services
Depending on your chosen specialty and programs, you may use one or more application services:
- Electronic Residency Application Service® (ERAS®). The AAMC ERAS program provides a central application and document service that allows you and schools to transmit your information and documents electronically to residency programs. Most residency programs that are accredited by the ACGME use the ERAS program to receive residency applications.
- Military applications. Each military service has its own process for graduate medical education selection boards. If you have a military obligation that requires application to a military residency, follow instructions from the Army, Navy, or Air Force Command.
- The Central Application Service (CAS). This application service, sponsored by the San Francisco Match, is used for some programs in ophthalmology. Since many programs using the CAS begin training in the second postgraduate year (PGY-2), you’ll likely also need to use the ERAS application service to apply to preliminary or transitional programs for your first postgraduate year (PGY-1) training.
- Program-specific applications. A few programs use their own applications. If you are applying to a program that uses its own application, review each program’s website or contact the program to verify its application process.