Introduction
Residency programs are postgraduate training programs for medical students who have graduated from medical school and earned an M.D. or D.O. degree. Residency programs provide specialized training in a particular area of medicine, such as internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery, or family medicine. Medical students must first register with the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) to apply to residency programs. The NRMP is a computerized matching service that matches applicants to residency programs based on their preferences. The residency application process is competitive, and applicants should carefully research the programs they are interested in and submit competitive applications. Most residency programs require applicants to submit the following materials:
- Medical school transcript
- USMLE scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Curriculum vitae
Some residency programs may also require additional materials, such as research experience or foreign language fluency. Over 14,000 residency programs in the United States are accredited by ACGME. Residency programs vary from three to seven years, depending on the speciality. Some of the best residency programs in the U.S. for medical students include:
- Internal medicine
- Paediatrics
- Surgery
- Family medicine
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Emergency medicine
- Anesthesiology
- Radiology
- Dermatology
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Ophthalmology
Here are some tips for choosing a residency program:
- Consider your interests and career goals. What type of medicine do you want to practice? What kind of lifestyle do you want?
- Research the programs you are interested in. Visit their websites, read reviews from current and former residents, and talk to your mentors and advisors.
- Consider the location of the programs. Do you want to live in a big city or a small town? Do you want to stay close to family and friends?
- Visit the programs you are most interested in. It is an excellent opportunity to meet the residents and faculty and to get a feel for the program's culture.
Medical Residency in the USA for International Students
IMGs are physicians who have graduated from other than the U.S. or Canada Med School. IMGs planning to practice medicine in the U.S. should complete a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. To be eligible for a residency program in the US, IMGs must have a valid ECFMG certificate. The ECFMG certificate is issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates to IMGs meeting specific educational and clinical requirements.
The highest-paid residencies in the USA are typically in surgical specialities as surgical specialities require long and rigorous training, and surgeons are in high demand. Here is a list of the highest-paid residencies in the USA in 2025, according to Moksh Academy:
It is important to note that these are just averages, and salaries vary depending on factors such as geographic location, experience level, and type of practice. Also note that these are all surgical subspecialties, which means that residents in these programs have already completed a residency in a primary speciality, such as internal medicine or general surgery.
U.S. Medical Residency Programs List
US Medical Residency Programs List is a website that provides information about medical residency programs in the USA, including soft and hard cut-off scores, characterization of current residents, previous match statistics, duration of U.S. clinical experience, hands-on USCE requisite, time since graduation, first attempt passing, and any additional program-specific needs. It also includes information about not well-known programs that accept IMGs and new programs willing to take IMGs. It ranks programs by the probability of being inclined towards a specific IMG candidate. In short, the U.S. Residency Programs List is a helpful tool for finding the right medical residency programs in the USA.
Residency in the USA after the USMLE is competitive, especially for international medical graduates (IMGs). However, getting a residency in the USA with the proper preparation and application strategy is possible.
Here are the steps involved in getting a residency in the USA after the USMLE:
The USMLE is a three-step examination that assesses medical students' and graduates' knowledge and skills. All three steps must be passed to be eligible for residency in the USA.
( Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates ), a non-profit organization accrediting IMGs wishing to practice medicine in the USA. ECFMG certification is required for all IMGs who apply for residency in the USA.
The Residency Match is a centralized process through which medical students and IMGs apply to residency programs in the USA. Applicants rank their preferred programs, and programs rank their select applicants. A computer algorithm then matches applicants to programs based on the rankings.
If you are matched with a residency program, you will receive an offer for the program. You must accept the offer and sign the contract to secure your residency.
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01
Pass all three steps of the USMLE
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02
Obtain ECFMG
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03
Apply to residency programs
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04
Match with a residency program
Types of Residency Programs
Residency programs in the U.S. can be categorized into the following types:
- Categorical programs (C) train physicians in a single speciality, such as internal medicine, paediatrics, or family medicine.
- Preliminary residency programs (P) provide broad-based training in medical fundamentals. After completing a primary residency program, physicians can apply to advanced residency programs in their chosen speciality.
- Primary care residency programs (C and M) train physicians to provide primary care. It is a type of medical care that focuses on providing preventive and routine maintenance to patients of all ages.
- Advanced programs (A) train physicians in a subspecialty, such as cardiology, gastroenterology, or oncology.
- Transitional year programs (P) provide broad-based training in medicine fundamentals. Applicants to advanced programs often complete a transitional year program first.
- Reserved programs (R) are for physicians who have already completed some graduate medical education.
- Medical Fellowship in USA programs are subspecialty training programs completed after residency.
However, there are a few exceptional cases in which an IMG may be able to pursue a medical fellowship in the U.S. without USMLE. These include:
- Research fellowships: Some do not require the USMLE but are generally highly competitive and require a strong research background.
- Pre-residency fellowships: Pre-residency fellowships are designed to help IMGs prepare for the USMLE and the residency match process. They may not require the USMLE, but they are typically only one year long and do not lead to medical licensure.
- Fellowships in select specialities: There are a few chosen specialities, such as radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation oncology, that have different fellowship requirements for IMGs. For example, the American Board of Nuclear Medicine (ABNM) does not require the USMLE for IMGs who have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in nuclear medicine in their home country.
If you are an IMG interested in pursuing a medical fellowship in the U.S., it is essential to research the specific requirements of the fellowship programs you are interested in. You should also contact the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) to learn more about your options.
Here are some additional tips for IMGs who are interested in pursuing a medical fellowship in the U.S.:
- Get involved in research: Research experience is valuable for any medical fellowship applicant. However, it is significant for IMGs if you can get involved in research projects at your medical school or home country.
- Network with U.S. physicians: Networking with U.S. physicians can help you learn more about the fellowship application process and get your foot in the door. Attend medical conferences and contact physicians in your field of interest.
- Work with an educational consultant: An educational consultant can help you develop a robust application and navigate the complex fellowship match process.
Length of medical residency
U.S. medical residencies typically last 3-7 years, depending on the speciality. The following table shows the length of different medical residences in the United States:
| NAME OF SPECIALTY |
DURATION OF THE TRAINING |
| Anesthesiology |
3 Years + P.G. year 1 for Preliminary |
| Family Medicine |
3 Years |
| Neurosurgery |
7 Years |
| Obstetrics / Gynaecology |
4 Years |
| Neurology |
3 Years +PG year 1 for Preliminary |
| Ophthalmology |
3 Years +PG year 1 for Preliminary |
| Orthopaedic Surgery |
5 Years ( includes one year for General Surgery) |
| Pathology |
4 Years |
| Paediatrics |
3 Years |
| Dermatology |
3 Years +PG year 1 for Preliminary |
| General Surgery |
5 Years |
| Emergency Medicine |
3-4 Years |
| Internal Medicine |
3 Years |
| Otolaryngology |
5 Years |
| Urology |
5 Years ( includes one year for General Surgery) |
| Radiation Oncology |
4 Years +PG year 1 for Preliminary |
| Radiation Diagnostics |
4 Years +PG year 1 for Preliminary |
| Physical Medicine |
3-4 Years |
| Psychiatry |
4 Years |
| Plastic Surgery |
6 Years |
| Transitional / Preliminary |
1 Year |
NOTE – The residency length mentioned above is the minimum number of years of postgraduate training required to gain eligibility for board certification.
Benefits, After Residency
- Residents typically receive a salary and benefits, such as health insurance and paid time off. They may also be eligible for tuition reimbursement.
- After completing residency, physicians are eligible to become board-certified in their speciality. Board certification is voluntary, but it is required for many jobs and hospital privileges.
Tips for Applicants
- Start early. The residency application process can be time-consuming, so it is essential to start early. Begin researching programs and preparing your application materials during your fourth year of medical school.
- Be strategic with your program selection. Consider your interests, skills, and career goals when choosing programs to apply to.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities can help you demonstrate your leadership skills, commitment to community service, and passion for medicine.
- Write strong personal statements. Your personal statements should be well-written and informative, highlighting your qualifications and experiences.
- Prepare for interviews. Practice and answer common interview questions, and be prepared to discuss your interests, skills, and career goals.
Conclusion
In the entire preparation of your residency in the particular specialization you aim for, you need guidance at every step. Moksh Academy has a complete team of experts, and the Mentors play an essential role in making your journey a huge success.
Disclaimer
USMLE® is a joint program. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) are co-sponsors. None of the trademark holders have affiliation with MOKSH Academy or this website.
ACGME® is a registered trademark of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
The ECFMG® is a registered trademark of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.
The Match® is a registered service mark of the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®). The NRMP has no affiliation with MOKSH Academy.
Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS®) is a program of the Association of American Medical Colleges. It has no affiliation with MOKSH Academy.
Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders have an affiliation with MOKSH Academy or this website.
