Starting residency · MN
Starting residency in Minnesota
Minnesota requires residents to hold a training license from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice: the Residency Permit. Minnesota has a graduated income tax (top rate 9.85% above $203,150 for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- Residency Permit
- Fee
- $20; extending the end date in the same program costs $15
- Renewal
- No annual renewal; each permit covers one program's certified dates and ends when a full license is issued
Who applies: Resident, online or on paper; the Minnesota residency program completes the Approved Residency Training Program Form for the resident to submit.
Minnesota law requires a residency permit to take part in a residency program unless the person holds a full license. A separate permit is needed for each program. The permit covers practice only within the residency program; moonlighting requires a full license. Holders notify the board within 30 days of leaving a program.
Full license: After 1 year of accredited graduate clinical training, for US/Canadian graduates and IMGs (MD or DO). A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
State income tax
Graduated income tax: top rate 9.85% above $203,150 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
Minnesota training license
Apply for your Minnesota 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
- Minnesota 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 Minnesota Board of Medical Practiceand your program before you apply.