Starting residency · MA
Starting residency in Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires residents to hold a training license from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine: the Limited License. Massachusetts has a graduated income tax (top rate 9% above $1,107,750 for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Limited License
- Fee
- $100 per year
- Renewal
- Annual (issued for one academic year); renewed for the same program or on a change of program
Who applies: Resident, online, after the training facility sends an invitation and invite code; the application cannot be started without it.
Massachusetts exempts trainees from full licensure only if they hold a limited license, so every resident holds a limited or full license. The limited license covers practice only in the named training program and its approved affiliates. Anyone who holds or has held a full Massachusetts license cannot get one. Use beyond seven total years needs a board vote. The board publishes no lead time and refers questions to program coordinators.
Full license: After 2 years of ACGME, AOA or Canadian training for US/Canadian graduates (MD or DO); 3 years for IMGs. The board can consider shorter training for applicants licensed and board certified elsewhere. A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
State income tax
Graduated income tax: top rate 9% above $1,107,750 (5% rate plus 4% surtax) for 2026.
Source: mass.gov
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
Massachusetts training license
Apply for your Massachusetts 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
- Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicineand your program before you apply.