Getting Started

Getting Started

The ASHP Match

  • What is the ASHP Match?

    The Match provides an orderly process to help applicants obtain positions in postgraduate year one (PGY1) or postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency programs of their choice, and to help programs obtain applicants of their choice.

    The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) is responsible for establishing the Rules of the Match, and for monitoring the implementation of the Match. The administration and conduct of the Match is carried out by National Matching Services Inc. on behalf of ASHP.

  • What's involved in participating in the ASHP Match?
    1. Identify residency programs of Interest

      Applicants should investigate residency programs of interest and determine whether or not they are participating in the Match.

    2. Register to Participate in the Match

      Applicants interested in residency programs offering positions in the Match must register online to participate in the ASHP Match.

    3. Apply and Interview

      The Match is not involved in applications or interviews. These activities are conducted independently of the Match. All residency programs that participate in the Match use PhORCAS to collect applications.

    4. Submit Rank Order Lists

      After applications and interviews are complete, each applicant and program submits a Rank Order List of preferred placements in the NMS Match System. The Rank Order List indicates your order of preference for the placements you are considering.

    5. The Matching Algorithm Processes the Rankings

      NMS uses a matching algorithm to process the preferences stated on the Rank Order Lists and place individuals into positions. The matching algorithm will place you into the most preferred program on your Rank Order List that ranks you and does not fill all its available positions with applicants it prefers.

    6. Get Your Result

      Match results will be released on the Match Results Day for each Phase of the Match by email and online via the NMS Match System.

  • Am I eligible to participate in the ASHP Match?

    All Applicants

    To participate in the Match, an applicant must be a graduate of or graduating from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy, or otherwise be eligible for licensure.


    Applicants Who Graduated from a Foreign School of Pharmacy

    Applicants who are graduates of a foreign school of pharmacy must provide to PhORCAS, prior to registering for the Match, either a copy of their license for each state in which they are licensed, or a copy of their Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Examination Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).


    Applicants for PGY2 Positions

    To participate in the Match for a PGY2 position, an applicant must have completed a PGY1 residency, or currently be in training in a PGY1 residency program that will be completed before the start of the PGY2 residency.

    A current PGY1 resident who is interested in continuing their training in a PGY2 residency offered by the same organization or the same health system as the applicant's PGY1 residency may be able to obtain the position through the Early Commitment Process. Applicants who accept a PGY2 position through the Early Commitment Process do not need to register for or participate in the matching process.

Graduates of Foreign Pharmacy Schools








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