The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a service that increases the chances of getting a residency position. Applications must be submitted between July and October for the following July session, with an application deadline of October. Eligibility for the NRMP requires passing USMLE Step 1 and USMLE Step 2 (CK & CS) by December of the year before the residency training, as well as graduation from medical school on or before May 31. Students must submit applications to each residency program they are interested in and undergo an interview. In February, students rank the programs they prefer, and the residency programs submit their rank-order lists of the candidates they interviewed.

A computerized matching process begins, and the results are released in March. If a student is matched to a program, they are required to start the residency. If a student fails to match or is not eligible for the NRMP, they can apply for a position outside the match. In March, all participants who failed to match will receive a publication listing all unfilled residency positions.