Who Does What
Understand the journey from medical school through residency, licensure, and board certification.
Who is Responsible for What?
Understand the journey from medical school through residency, licensure, and board certification.
Accreditation
Ensuring residency and fellowship programs meet educational standards.
Licensure
Granting physicians legal authority to practice medicine.
Certification
Recognizing specialty-specific expertise and qualifications.
Employment
Hiring, compensating, and supervising resident and fellow physicians.
Funding
Supporting physician training through Medicare, Medicaid, and other funding sources.
Matching & Placement
Connecting applicants with residency and fellowship positions.
No Single Organization Controls Physician Training
Many people assume one organization oversees physician education, licensing, certification, and employment. In reality, responsibility is shared across multiple independent organizations, each serving a different role within the healthcare system.
The ACGME Accredits Programs, Not Physicians
The ACGME establishes educational standards and accredits residency and fellowship programs. Its role is to evaluate training environments and ensure programs meet established requirements. It does not license physicians, certify specialists, or employ residents.
Different Organizations, Different Responsibilities
State medical boards license physicians, specialty boards certify expertise, and hospitals employ residents and fellows. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify where decisions are made and who is responsible for different aspects of physician training.
Responsibility Matrix
Explore Resources
Who Does What
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GME One-Page Brief
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Media Backgrounder
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State Vs. Federal Roles
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