Starting residency · ID
Starting residency in Idaho
Idaho requires residents to hold a training license from the Idaho State Board of Medicine: the Temporary registration of interns and residents. Idaho has a flat income tax (5.3% for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Temporary registration of interns and residents ('Medical Resident' registration)
- Fee
- $20
- Renewal
- Annual
Who applies: Resident; an Idaho-licensed supervising physician approved by the board signs the application.
Idaho law exempts interns and residents from licensure only while they are registered with the board, so every resident without a full Idaho license must register. Registration covers practice under the named supervising physician within the training program; registrants notify the board 14 days before changing supervisor or program.
Full license: After 1 year of residency for US/Canadian graduates (MD or DO). IMGs: after 2 years at one accredited program, or 1 year in an Idaho program with program director approval and a contract to finish. A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
Source: Idaho State Board of Medicine
State income tax
Flat income tax: 5.3% for 2026.
Source: taxfoundation.org
Match Day to your first loan payment
Assumes you enroll in RAP or IBR when the grace period ends, recertify once a year, and file each tax return by April. Your servicer's dates govern.
Mid-March
Match Day
You learn where you'll train. Your program sends its residency (GME) agreement and onboarding steps.
March–April
Idaho training license
Apply for your Idaho training license as soon as your program sends instructions. Applications often need school records and background checks that take weeks.
April–June
Credentialing and onboarding
Hospital credentialing, health screening, payroll and benefits forms, and a DEA registration if your program requires one.
Late June–July 1
Move and start
Intern orientation usually starts in the last week of June. When the first paycheck arrives depends on the hospital's payroll schedule, so budget for a few weeks of moving costs without one.
About 6 months after graduation
Federal loan grace period ends
Payments start 6 months after you leave school. Choose a plan before then, or request residency forbearance, during which interest accrues and months don't count toward PSLF.
First year of payments
Payments use last year's income
RAP and IBR use the adjusted gross income on your most recent tax return, which for most new residents is a student year. Payments rise after you recertify with a resident's income.
One board licenses MDs and DOs.
Related
- Compare RAP, IBR and Tiered Standard on a resident's income
- Idaho physician non-compete law, for when you sign your first attending contract
- All states
General information, checked on the date above. Board requirements and fees change; confirm with the Idaho State Board of Medicineand your program before you apply.