Starting residency · NJ
Starting residency in New Jersey
New Jersey requires residents to hold a training license from the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners: the PGY-1: registration; PGY-2 and later: resident permit. New Jersey has a graduated income tax (top rate 10.75% above $1,000,000 for 2026).
Training license
- Status
- Training license required
- Called
- PGY-1: registration; PGY-2 and later: resident permit
- Apply
- Board rule: the program director submits the PGY-1 list no later than one month before residents start, and permit applications no later than four months before PGY-2 begins.
- Fee
- Permit: $50. The rule sets no fee for PGY-1 registration.
- Renewal
- The permit is valid for the length of the training program; changing programs requires a transfer application
Who applies: Resident and program. The board lists online applications for PGY-1 registration and the resident permit; its rule has the program director certify and submit residents' materials.
Board rule bars unlicensed residents from practicing in PGY-1 until registered and in PGY-2 or later until they hold a permit. PGY-1 registrants are confined to the affiliated hospital and outpatient sites, with inpatient orders countersigned. Permit holders may moonlight for pay only with the program director's written approval and supervision by a fully licensed physician. The board's fee schedule is published as an image and could not be read, so the fee comes from the rule text (N.J.A.C. 13:35-1.5).
Full license: After 2 years of ACGME or AOA training completed with credit plus a signed contract for a third year, for US graduates and IMGs who graduated on or after July 1, 2003. At least 2 of the 3 years must be in the same field, or in fields that count toward one ABMS or AOA specialty. A full license matters if you plan to moonlight.
State income tax
Graduated income tax: top rate 10.75% above $1,000,000 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
New Jersey training license
Apply for your New Jersey 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
- New Jersey 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 New Jersey State Board of Medical Examinersand your program before you apply.