Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)

The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) is a national, independent, not-for-profit, fee-for-service organization that provides a fair, objective and transparent application and matching service for medical training throughout Canada.

  • CaRMS uses a Match Algorithm to match students into postgraduate medical training programs throughout Canada.
  • The R-1 Main Residency Match is for entry level postgraduate positions and is offered in two iterations each year.
  • The first iteration is available to all graduating students and prior year graduates from Canada and the US who meet the basic eligibility criteria and have no prior postgraduate training in Canada or the US. It is also open to graduates from international medical schools (IMGs) who meet the basic criteria and have no prior postgraduate training in Canada or the US.
  • The second iteration includes positions and applicants not matched in the first iteration, as well as applicants with previous Canadian or US postgraduate training and other applicants who did not participate in the first iteration.
  • Consult the eligibility criteria on the CaRMS website for more information.

Residency in Canada

Each of Canada's 17 postgraduate medical institutions offer distinct Family Medicine training programs (medical residency) to provide a broad spectrum of clinical skills, academic knowledge, and Family Medicine experiences to prepare graduates for independent family practice. For more information on each program, including return of service obligations, consult the program descriptions and university information on the CaRMS website.

Residency in the US

The application process for residency positions in the US is administered by CaRMS’ American counterpart, the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). The main residency match itself is managed by the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Consult the ERAS and NRMP websites for more information.