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.
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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.
-
01
Pass all three steps of the USMLE
-
02
Obtain ECFMG
-
03
Apply to residency programs
-
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.
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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.
Talk to a Career Advisor
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.
