Starting residency · IN
Starting residency in Indiana
Indiana requires residents to hold a training license from the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana: the Postgraduate Training Permit. Indiana has a flat income tax (2.95% for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Postgraduate Training Permit
- Apply
- Board recommends applying at least 60 to 90 days before the program starts; a permit can be issued before July 1 only if all documents arrive before then.
- Fee
- $100; renewal $50
- Renewal
- Annual; permits expire June 30
Who applies: Resident, online or on a paper form; the hospital or institution completes a certification form.
A permit is required for each training program; one permit covers all sites in that program, and changing programs needs a new permit. Residents who hold a full Indiana license do not need one. The permit does not allow moonlighting, and holders cannot get an Indiana controlled substance registration. IMGs without an ECFMG certificate use a separate Non-ECFMG Training Permit.
Full license: After 12 months of accredited training for US/Canadian graduates (MD or DO); 24 months for IMGs. A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
State income tax
Flat income tax: 2.95% for 2026. All 92 counties levy a local income tax based on the county of residence on January 1: 0.5% to 3.0% (Marion County, which includes Indianapolis, 2.02%).
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
Indiana training license
Apply for your Indiana 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
- Indiana 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 Medical Licensing Board of Indianaand your program before you apply.