The Post-Match SOAP can be a difficult and frustrating few days for residency candidates. Don’t make a tough situation worse by unwittingly breaking any of the NRMP’s policies! Below is a list of NRMP Policies which affect residency candidates during the Post-Match SOAP and the Main Residency Match.

**Please Note: Breaking the NRMP’s policies can lead to a violations investigation and subsequent 1 to 3 year (or permanent) ban from the NRMP. Candidates flagged by the NRMP suffer greatly during following Match seasons.  

Top 10 Most Important NRMP Policies

1. You must be eligible for SOAP in order to participate.
   • Review eligibility requirements at Electronic Residency
     
   • SOAP-ineligible applicants may not apply to unfilled Match-participating programs until after the conclusion of the Match
     
2. Residency candidates may not initiate contact with programs during the Post-Match SOAP
   • Programs must initiate first contact with candidates
   • Those acting on behalf of a residency candidate may not contact programs either. For example, a medical school may not talk to a program to promote their student
     
3. Those with access to the NRMP List of Unfilled Programs absolutely may NOT SHARE THE LIST with any SOAP-ineligible candidates
4. SOAP-participating candidates may not apply to programs outside of SOAP until after the conclusion of the Match
   
5. You have two hours to Accept or Deny an offer received during Offer Rounds; after those 2 hours, the offer will disappear
6. Accepting a residency position through the SOAP is a binding agreement to begin training at the residency program on July 1st of the year of the Match
   • Unless you obtained a waiver (see NRMP for waiver requirements)
7. All SOAP residency program applications must go through ERAS
8. All applicants must provide complete and accurate personal and professional information in their applications
9. Applicants cannot apply to, discuss, interview with or accept any residency position outside of the NRMP after the Rank Order List deadline
   
10. Do not initiate a chargeback for any of NRMP’s fees; initiating a chargeback results in being banned from The Match

Wrapping up!

These are only some of the policies you should be aware of. Review the full Match Participation Agreement to make sure you fully understand what is expected of you as a residency candidate. For a detailed overview of how the Post-Match SOAP works and this year’s timeline, visit Electronic Residency. You can also reach out via email at support@electronicresidency.com.