Eligibility Criteria

Applications for residency and fellowship training are processed through the Electronic Resident Application Service (ERAS) unless otherwise specified by the training program. UCI School of Medicine participates in the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), or the San Francisco Match, for the majority of our residency and fellowship training programs. Some programs may engage in a standard recruitment process, outside the match, based on their specialty requirements.

 

For information on the application process and eligibility criteria for your specialty, please visit the training program’s website.

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Once a resident or fellow is selected or matched with a position, they will work with their training program to submit the required documentation needed to finalize their appointment with the University.

Appointment to a UC Irvine graduate medical education program is contingent upon verification of the following documentation:

  1. Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letter (Original documents only, dated within the last 12 months).
  2. 3 Current Letters of Recommendation (Original documents only, dated within the last 12 months).
  3. Allopathic Trainee: Certified copies of the USMLE Step 1 and 2 scores must be on file in the UCI GME Office prior to start date.
  4. Osteopathic Trainee: Certified copies of the COMLEX Levels 1 and 2 (CE and PE) must be on file in the UCI GME Office prior to start date.
  5. Certified copy of USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3 scores (as required). 
  6. Proof of medical school graduation (Original diploma required).
  7. Previous ACGME Training Certificate(s) (if applicable). 
  8. Proof of licensing status (as required) Per Senate (SB) 798 (Hill, Chapter 775):
    1. Postgraduate Training License (PTL) will be required for all residents participating in an ACGME-accredited postgraduate training program in California in order to practice medicine as part of their training program. A PTL must be obtained within 180 days after enrollment in the program and will not be required to be renewed.
    2. All applicants, regardless of whether the medical school attended was domestic or international, will be required to successfully complete 36 months of postgraduate training accredited by either the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, or College of Family Physicians of Canada. An applicant will need to complete 24 consecutive months of training in the same program in order to be eligible for a physician’s and surgeon’s license.
  9. International Medical Graduates must have a current ECFMG certificate. USMLE scores are required.
  10. Non-US Citizens must obtain an ECFMG-issued J-1 Visa or provide proof of permanent resident status in the United States. We do not offer H-1 visa sponsorship. USMLE scores are required.
    1. Physicians who graduated from a medical school in Canada are not required to take USMLE Steps for ECFMG Certification/J-1 visa. They must, however, provide a USMLE/ECFMG ID #.
    2. All J-1 visa holders are required to meet with the UCI GME Office and the UCI International Center to obtain final clearance upon arrival.
  11. Programs that have a mandatory VA rotation will require proof of Selective Service Registration or Proof of Exempt status for individuals who are designated as male on their birth certificates.
  12. Proof of current ACLS, BLS or PALS certification. Programs will indicate the exact certifications which are required for your specialty. Certification cards must be issued by the American Heart Association (AHA). 
  13. Proof of valid DEA Card (as required).
  14. Proof of CURES Registration (as required). 
  15. Verification of Employee Health Screening.
  16. Verification of Background Check.
  17. Compliance with licensing requirements as established by the Medical Board of California and the Osteopathic Medical Board of California prior to appointment and commencement of training.

All new hires are required to attend UC Irvine GME Orientation and GME Fall Training. Residents and fellows must complete all assigned UC Learning training modules and comply with UCI Occupational Health requirements in order to engage in patient care on a yearly basis.