News

After a very successful 2025 Main Residency Match®, the NRMP is looking towards the registration opening for the 2026 Main Residency Match.

Historically, registration for the Match opened in September for all participants. This year, registration for institution and program users will open on Thursday, May 1, at 12:00 p.m. ET. Medical school users and residency applicants will continue to register for the Match on September 15.

The NRMP’s decision to modify the Match registration timeline for institutions and programs allows updates to the public Program Directory launched last year.  With multiple application services, the Program Directory serves as an important, additional resource for residency applicants to begin searching for the application service requirements, program location, links to institution and program websites, NRMP program code, and program types. Opening registration in May allows institution and program users to update their Program Directory information in the Registration, Ranking, and Results® (R3®) system in advance of the application, ensuring residency applicants have access to accurate information when researching the programs to which they may apply.

There is no action you need to take currently. Institution and program users will receive an email from the NRMP on Thursday, May 1 at 12:00 p.m. ET, with instructions on how to register their individual user accounts, activate the institution and programs, and update their program information for the Match. Program directors in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Vascular Surgery may also begin signing up to participate in the Voluntary Program ROL Lock Pilot for each participating program/track when registration begins.

View the 2026 Main Residency Match calendar for the complete schedule.  As always, NRMP staff are available to answer any questions that arise.

The NRMP remains committed to assessing and modifying its matching processes to better support the UME and GME communities.  We look forward to supporting you in the Match and welcome you to contact the NRMP Support Team at support@nrmp.org for assistance.