U.S. MD senior students are enrolled in a medical school accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) at the time of the Match and are considered “sponsored applicants” in the Match by their medical schools.  U.S. DO senior students are enrolled in a medical school accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) at the time of the Match and also are considered “sponsored applicants” in the Match by their medical schools.  U.S. MD and DO senior students’ ability to participate in the Match is based on the graduation requirements of the sponsoring medical school, and US. MD and DO senior students can be withdrawn from the Match only by the sponsoring medical school.

The NRMP requires medical schools to verify the expected graduation date of every U.S. MD and DO senior registered for the Match. U.S. MD and DO seniors whose graduation credentials are not verified by their schools will be withdrawn by their schools. View details about verification of credentials for U.S. MD and DO medical school seniors.  All eligibility verification must be completed by the Rank Order List Certification Deadline in order for a U.S. MD or DO senior to participate in the Main Residency Match. 

Independent applicants include:

• Previous graduates of an LCME-accredited medical school
• Previous graduates of a COCA-accredited medical school
• Students/graduates of a Canadian medical school
• Students/graduates of a Fifth Pathway program
• Students/graduates of an international medical school

The NRMP requires medical schools to verify the credentials of previous graduates of an LCME-accredited school, previous graduates of a COCA-accredited medical school, students/graduates of a Canadian medical school, and students/graduates of a Fifth Pathway program.  View details about verification of credentials for these applicant types

The NRMP partners with the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to verify that students/graduates of international medical schools (IMGs) have completed the necessary examination requirements for ECFMG certification to participate in the Match.

• To participate in the Match, IMGs must have passed all examinations required for ECFMG certification.
• To begin training, IMGs must have completed all ECFMG certification requirements. Please contact the ECFMG for information on complete certification requirements to begin training.

View details about NRMP verification of examination requirements for IMGs. It is the responsibility of ECFMG to determine whether the applicant ultimately is granted ECFMG certification. 

All eligibility verification must be completed by the Rank Order List Certification Deadline in order for an independent applicant to participate in the Main Residency Match.