Residency Support - Acronyms

Common acronyms you are likely to encounter as you apply to residency programs:

• CAF - Common Application Form, the ERAS version of a resume
• CARMS - Canadian Resident Matching Service, the Canadian version of ERAS
• COMLEX - Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, a series of three osteopathic licensing examinations - it's the osteopathic version of the USMLE
• DSF - Document Submission Form, used by international applicants
• ECFMG - Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, which certifies international applicants who want to train in the United States
• EFDO - ERAS Fellowships Documents Office, which transmits applicant information exclusively for fellowship programs
• ERAS - Electronic Residency Application Service, which transmits applicant information to residency programs
• FREIDA - Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, a free online resource containing information on over 8,000 accredited graduate medical education programs
• FSMB - Federation of State Medical Boards, which oversees registration and scheduling for USMLE Step 3
• LOR - Letter of Recommendation, which should be accompanied by an ERAS LOR cover sheet (as well as a DSF for international applicants)
• MSPE - Medical Student Performance Evaluation, more commonly known as the "dean's letter"
• NBOME - National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, which licenses osteopaths
• NRMP - National Resident Match Program, which allows both applicants and residency programs to rank order their choices
• PTAL - Postgraduate Training Authorization Letter, formerly known as the "California Letter," required for international applicants desiring residency positions in California
• USCE - United States clinical experience, a term used to describe doing a rotation, externship, or observership in the United States. Some program directors will not even consider applicants who have never studied here.
• USMLE - United States Medical Licensing Examination, commonly known as "the boards." Step 2 of the USMLE has two components:


• CK - Clinical Knowledge, the traditional component of the exam, like Step 1


• CS - Clinical Skills, only offered in select locations across the United States