Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS)

Canadian Resident Matching Services

Only AIMG Program-approved applicants can apply to Alberta IMG-designated residency positions in both the first and second iterations of CaRMS matches.

Only applicants whom the AIMG Program has deemed eligible are able to apply to Alberta IMG-designated residency positions in the first and second iteration of the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) matches.

To be considered for these positions, all IMGs, including those in their final year of medical school outside of Canada, must apply to and be assessed by the AIMG Program.

About the CaRMS Process

Application Process

Program descriptions for R-1 Main Residency Match positions can be found on the CaRMS website. Information is generally available six months before Match Day. The AIMG Program identifies applicants who meet the program’s criteria to apply for IMG-designated residency positions in Alberta through CaRMS. This list of successful applicants is conveyed to CaRMS. After determining eligible applicants, the AIMG Program is no longer involved with the CaRMS selection process. All other eligibility inquiries must be sent directly to CaRMS or other governing bodies. This does not affect the applicant’s ability to apply through CaRMS for a residency match outside Alberta.

CaRMS Application

To participate in the CaRMS match for IMG-designated residency positions in Alberta, all IMGs (including those in their final year of medical school outside of Canada) must apply to and be assessed by the AIMG Program AND must also register for the CaRMS match. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to apply to and complete the CaRMS application process and supply all documents required by CaRMS.

MMI Score Forwarding

Applicants’ MMI scores will be sent directly to residency programs to which they have applied. No further action is required by applicants regarding the reporting of their MMI scores to
residency programs.

When applying to CaRMS Alberta IMG-designated residency programs, select ‘override this requirement’ when MMI scores are required.

Residency Program Interviews

CaRMS applications are reviewed by the various postgraduate medical education programs.
The postgraduate residency programs are responsible for determining whom they will interview and select for AIMG Program Externship positions based on the CaRMS file. The AIMG Program is not involved in this decision.

If personal interviews are required, residency programs will contact the applicants directly. Applicants are solely responsible for arranging for transportation to interviews.

Ranking

Following residency program interviews, applicants and programs submit their rankings to CaRMS. Once rankings are submitted, the match process takes place and applicants and programs are notified of results. There are two iterations of the match process; only unmatched applicants from the first iteration may participate in the second iteration.

CaRMS 2^nd Iteration

Alberta IMGs who successfully complete the AIMG Program assessment phase but are not matched to a residency program in the CaRMS 1^st iteration match are the only applicants eligible to apply to the CaRMS 2^nd iteration match for residency training in Alberta in the same cycle year. CaRMS sends an email to applicants eligible for second iteration on how to start their second iteration application.