Starting residency · MD
Starting residency in Maryland
Maryland does not issue a separate training license for residents; check your program's onboarding instructions. Maryland has a graduated income tax (top rate 6.5% above $1,000,000 for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- No separate training license
Maryland issues no resident training license. State law lets people in an accredited postgraduate training program practice without a license while doing their assigned program duties (Health Occupations 14-302). The exemption does not extend to practice outside the program.
Full license: After 1 year of accredited training for US/Canadian graduates (MD or DO); 2 years of accredited US training for IMGs. A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
Source: Maryland Board of Physicians
State income tax
Graduated income tax: top rate 6.5% above $1,000,000 for 2026. Every county and Baltimore City levies a local income tax on residents, filed with the state return: 2.25% to 3.30% in 2026 (Baltimore City 3.20%).
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
Maryland training license
Maryland does not issue a separate training license; follow your program's onboarding steps instead.
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
- Maryland 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 Maryland Board of Physiciansand your program before you apply.