Match Overview for Applicants

Overview

The Medical Physics Matching Program (the MedPhys Match) is an Application Service and Matching Process that helps applicants obtain positions in medical physics residency programs of their choice, and helps programs obtain applicants of their choice.

Key Dates

①  Register

To participate in the MedPhys Match, you must register through the NMS Match System. As part of registration, you must agree to the Applicant Agreement and Match Rules and the Schedule of Dates. The registration fee is $250 USD which covers your MedPhys Match registration and five (5) credits to send applications to residencies using the MedPhys Match Application Service.

You should register for MedPhys Match by December 1, 2026. You must be registered for the MedPhys Match in order to send applications to residencies.

②   Manage Your Account

Once registered, you are assigned a 5-digit Match Code Number that uniquely identifies you in the MedPhys Match. You should use this Code Number in all communications related to the MedPhys Match.

You can log into the NMS Match System to manage your Account, Profile, and Participation Status for the MedPhys Match.

If you no longer intend to participate in the 2027 MedPhys Match, you must withdraw and not submit a Rank Order List.

③   Application Process

Applicants use the NMS Match System to prepare and submit applications to programs that participate in the MedPhys Match.

A directory of participating programs is posted on the MedPhys Match website and updated regularly. The directory of participating programs provides information submitted by each participating program that describes the training opportunities offered by the program. Each program sets its own eligibility requirements, application deadline dates, and methods of evaluation. You should check with each program directly if you have questions regarding its training program, facilities, requirements and procedures.

As soon as you find a program of interest, add the program to your list of pending applications in the NMS Match System. The program will be notified of your interest and will have access to your contact information, even before you submit your application, so they can reach out to you with information if they choose to do so.

Required components of the application include a CV, personal statement, transcript for CAMPEP related coursework, and requests for reference letters from at least 2 individuals. You can customize parts of your application for each program if you desire.

You must submit your application before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date set by each residency. Applications do not need to be sent all at once, and you can submit your application before your reference writers upload their letters.

④   Interview Process

Each program sets its own policies and procedures for scheduling and conducting interviews.

Some residencies use the NMS Interview module of the NMS Match System to schedule interviews. When scheduling interviews with programs that use NMS Interview, you receive interview invitations by email and self-schedule into available timeslots online. You can also log into your NMS Match System account to view interview invitations and manage your interview schedule with residencies that use NMS Interview.

All interviews must be completed prior to the Rank Order List deadline. You are reminded that, according to the Applicant Agreement for participation in the Match and the Match Rules, you may not make any commitments to, or require any commitments from, any participating residency prior to the release of the MedPhys Match results.

⑤   Ranking Process

Once interviews and evaluations are complete, each applicant and each program submits a Rank Order List of their preferred choices into the NMS Match System by the Rank Order List deadline. The Rankings User Guide has step-by-step instructions for submitting your Rank Order List.

Each residency offers one or more programs in the Match. A program refers to a type of position or stream of training at a residency (e.g., positions that start training at different times of the year, or at different locations, or with different numbers of years of training, etc.). You must rank, and are matched to, a specific program offered by a residency.

The optimal ranking strategy is to list all programs you applied to that you would be willing to accept, ranked in your true order of preference. You should not consider how a program might rank you when ordering your list.

If you enter and certify a Rank Order List of programs and do not withdraw prior to the Rank Order List deadline, your rankings will be used in the Match. If you are matched, you must accept the position with which you are matched as outlined in the Applicant Agreement and Match Rules.

⑥   Match Results

NMS uses an established and proven matching algorithm to process the Rank Order Lists submitted by applicants and programs. You will be matched to the most preferred program on your Rank Order List that ranks you and does not fill all its positions with applicants it prefers to you. Similarly, each program will be matched with their most preferred applicant(s) that do not match to programs the applicants prefer.

The result you obtain in the MedPhys Match (whether you successfully matched to a position and, if so, to which program you matched) is provided to you online and by email on the Match Results Day. The Match result constitutes a binding commitment between you and the program to which you matched. If you refuse to accept the Match result, penalties may be imposed on you by an AAPM oversight committee, as outlined in the Applicant Agreement and Match Rules.

Programs with unfilled positions and applicants who do not match may participate in the Post-Match Process to fill available positions.