The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) is a private, non-profit corporation established in 1952 to provide a uniform date of appointment to positions in graduate medical education (GME) in the United States.
Each year, approximately 16,000 U.S. allopathic medical school students participate in the NRMP residency match for post-medical school residency positions. In addition, another 18,000 "independent" applicants compete for the approximately 24,000 available residency positions. Independent applicants include former graduates of U.S. allopathic medical schools, U.S. osteopathic students, Canadian students, and graduates of foreign medical schools.
The NRMP also conducts matches for fellowship positions in 34 sub-specialties, through its Specialties Matching Service. Those positions involve further training after completion of the initial residency program and lead to certification in a specialty. The USMLE score is just one of many factors considered by residency programs in selecting applicants. The median USMLE Step 1 scores for graduates of U.S. Medical Schools for various residencies are charted in Figure 4 on page 11 of "Charting Outcomes in the Match" available at blank">http://www.nrmp.org/matchoutcomes.pdf
The NRMP is sponsored by five medical / medical education organizations:
The NRMP governed by its Board of Directors, chosen from candidates nominated by participating and allied organizations. These include ten physicians; two residency program directors; three resident physician members; three medical student members, and one at-large public member. NRMP policy is shaped by policy directives from its sponsoring and allied organizations.
