Updated
ResidencyCAS 2026-27: Fees, Dates, Letters and Signals
Applying to emergency medicine or OB/GYN? Your application goes through ResidencyCAS, not ERAS.
ResidencyCAS is Liaison's residency application platform. In the 2026-27 season, emergency medicine, its combined programs and OB/GYN use it instead of ERAS. Fees are per specialty: $99 covers your first 18 programs, then $18 each up to 30 and $23 each after that. The deadline (a recommended date for EM) was September 17, 2026. You still register and rank through the NRMP, where Match Day is March 19, 2027.
What is ResidencyCAS?
ResidencyCAS, the Residency Centralized Application Service, is run by Liaison International. Its quick start guide sums it up: “Simply submit one application with all necessary materials through ResidencyCAS.” It then sends your application and documents to the programs you pick. Signals, letters, exam scores and interview scheduling all live in the same account.
You can't sign up on your own. US MD and DO students and graduates get an access link from their medical school, and IMGs and Canadian graduates get theirs from ECFMG.
Which specialties use ResidencyCAS in 2026-27?
OB/GYN moved first, in the 2024-25 season, and emergency medicine followed in 2025-26. For 2026-27, the CORD board's best practices say “all Emergency Medicine programs should utilize the ResidencyCAS Application Platform for both the Main Residency Match and SOAP”. OB/GYN follows application standards recommended by ACOG, with resources from APGO. When we checked on October 30, 2026, the ResidencyCAS site listed these participating specialties, and no others:
7 specialties on ResidencyCAS
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Emergency medicine
- Emergency medicine/family medicine
- Emergency medicine/internal medicine
- Emergency medicine/aerospace medicine
- Emergency medicine/pediatrics
- Emergency medicine/anesthesiology
Most other specialties apply through ERAS. CORD adds that EM applicants, combined programs included, “must register with both ResidencyCAS and the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP)”.
How is ResidencyCAS different from ERAS?
For EM, CORD says that compared with MyERAS, “the content and formatting requirements remain largely consistent”, except for geographic preferencing. The mechanics differ. The main ones:
Getting in
You need an access link. US MD and DO students and graduates get it from their medical school. IMGs and Canadian graduates get it from ECFMG. Source
Fees
A flat $99 covers your first 18 programs in a specialty, then $18 each up to 30 and $23 each after that. ERAS charges $11 per program for the first 30 and $30 after that. You pay by card, PayPal, Venmo or Flywire. Source
Personal statement
One statement per specialty, shared with every program in it. You can't write a different one for each program, and you can't edit it after you submit. A headshot is required too. Source
Reflective statement (EM only)
An optional essay about life experiences that aren't elsewhere in your application. Most applicants leave it blank. If you write one, interviewers may ask about it. Source
Exam scores
Order your USMLE transcript in the FSMB's USMLE portal first, then request it in ResidencyCAS. COMLEX scores are ordered and paid for inside ResidencyCAS. Scores go to every program you apply to. Source
Your program list
Once you submit to a program you can't swap or remove it, and there are no refunds. You can keep adding programs after you submit. Source
Interviews
Invitations, scheduling and the virtual interview itself run in the ResidencyCAS Interview Portal, which opened September 23. Some programs schedule outside it, so read each invitation email. Source
On the personal statement, ResidencyCAS is firm that “you cannot personalize this statement for individual programs”. Signals are how you show interest in one program.
How much does ResidencyCAS cost?
The fee page says application fees are based on how many programs you apply to and are “calculated separately for each specialty”.
| Programs in one specialty | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 to 18 | $99 total |
| 19 to 30 | $18 per program |
| 31 or more | $23 per program |
Thirty programs in one specialty cost $315. In ResidencyCAS's own example, 20 OB/GYN and 20 emergency medicine programs cost $270. If you apply to 9 or fewer programs overall, as can happen with a combined specialty, each costs $10. Because the first 18 share one flat fee, ResidencyCAS costs less than ERAS for the same list in our math below.
ResidencyCAS vs ERAS fees at common list sizes
| Programs | ResidencyCAS | ERAS |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | $90 | $99 |
| 18 | $99 | $198 |
| 25 | $225 | $275 |
| 30 | $315 | $330 |
| 40 | $545 | $630 |
| 50 | $775 | $930 |
Fee waivers and refunds
If the AAMC (AMCAS or MCAT) or AACOM gave you a fee waiver for medical school, you can ask for a ResidencyCAS waiver. It covers up to 30 programs in one specialty, worth $315 at this season's prices. Approval takes up to five business days, and you only get the full value if you submit all 30 programs at once.
No refunds: “No refunds can be issued for any reason (this includes missed deadlines and programs no longer accepting applicants).” You can't remove a program after you submit to it, so check each program's eligibility rules first.
How do letters, SLOEs and signals work?
Your letter writers submit their letters straight to ResidencyCAS. You can request as many as you like, but “you can only assign and submit a maximum of 4 evaluations per program”. “Letters of recommendation and SLOEs must be manually assigned to your chosen programs in ResidencyCAS.” For EM, the Materials Library says of SLOEs that “Program Directors consistently view them as one of the most important parts of your application.” For OB/GYN, “Your SLOE writer cannot also write a separate narrative letter of recommendation”. The rules by specialty:
Emergency medicine
Most programs expect at least one SLOE, and program directors rank it among the most important parts of the application. You can ask for a SLOE or a narrative letter. A SLOE request sends your writer to CORD's SLOE page, and a narrative letter goes through the Liaison Letters portal. SLOE types include the eSLOE from an EM residency site, a SLOE from a site without a residency, subspecialty SLOEs and off-service SLOEs. Source
OB/GYN
One SLOE is highly recommended, ideally from an OB/GYN who knows you, preferably from a sub-internship. The writer fills it out inside ResidencyCAS, it counts as their letter, and APGO says to add two to three other letters based on each program's rules. Some programs ask for a chair's letter. Source
Both specialties
Request as many letters as you like, but assign at most 4 to any one program. You assign letters to programs by hand. Requests come from applicantsupport@residencycas.com, so tell writers to check spam. ResidencyCAS won't remind you about missing letters, and your choice to waive access to a letter can't be changed. Source
Our residency letters of recommendation guide covers who to ask and when.
Signals: 5 for EM, 18 for OB/GYN
Emergency medicine applicants get 5 signals of equal weight and should not signal home or away rotation sites. CORD asks programs to use signals only for interview offers, not for rank lists. OB/GYN applicants get 3 gold and 15 silver signals, 18 in all. ResidencyCAS posts each OB/GYN program's preferences, including whether it only reviews applicants who signal it. Compare every specialty in our program signals guide.
What are the 2026-27 ResidencyCAS dates?
Applications were due September 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. For emergency medicine, ResidencyCAS calls this a recommended submission date, and EM programs know SLOEs and some scores come later. Programs could open applications 6 days after the deadline, on September 23, 2026.
Late applications, and when EM and OB/GYN send interview offers
You can still submit after the deadline, but programs vary in whether they read late applications. For OB/GYN, the cycle dates page warns that many programs “may not routinely review applications or newly received materials submitted after the stated deadline”. Letters, MSPEs and scores are still accepted when they arrive.
OB/GYN released offers on October 27, 2026, with all-virtual interviews from November 1, 2026 and a final status for every applicant by November 25, 2026. Emergency medicine has no single release day. CORD asks EM programs to send offers after 8 p.m. Eastern, give you 48 hours to answer (waitlist offers too) and tell you your status by December 18, 2026. All-virtual interviews are strongly preferred.
For offer dates in every specialty, see our interview season calendar.
All 17 dates for 2026-27
- June 4, 2026: ResidencyCAS opened for the 2026-27 cycle.Source
- June 24, 2026: ECFMG started sending access links to IMGs.Source
- August 24, 2026: You could start requesting USMLE and COMLEX scores.Source
- September 2, 2026: You could submit your application.Source
- September 15, 2026: NRMP Match registration opened, 12 p.m. Eastern.Source
- September 17, 2026: ResidencyCAS application deadline, 11:59 p.m. Eastern.Source
- September 23, 2026: Programs could view applications, and the Interview Portal opened, 9 a.m. Eastern.Source
- October 27, 2026: OB/GYN interview offers released.Source
- November 1, 2026: OB/GYN interviews start, none earlier (ahead).Source
- November 25, 2026: OB/GYN programs give every applicant a final status (ahead).Source
- December 18, 2026: EM programs give every applicant a status (ahead).Source
- January 29, 2027: Standard NRMP registration deadline, 11:59 p.m. Eastern (ahead).Source
- February 1, 2027: NRMP ranking opens, 12 p.m. Eastern (ahead).Source
- March 3, 2027: Rank order list certification deadline, 9 p.m. Eastern (ahead).Source
- March 15, 2027: You learn if you matched, and SOAP opens, 10 a.m. Eastern for match status (ahead).Source
- March 19, 2027: Match Day (ahead).Source
- May 31, 2027: The ResidencyCAS cycle closes (ahead).Source
Interviews run in the ResidencyCAS Interview Portal, where you accept invitations, pick dates and join the call. Whatever the platform, expect to be asked why you chose the specialty.
“Why emergency medicine?”
Programs want the moment you knew, what you learned about yourself on your EM rotations and what kind of emergency physician you want to be. Keep it specific and under two minutes.
Our example answer (we wrote it, not a real applicant)
On my first overnight shift in the ED, a man came in confused, and in two hours we went from a blood sugar to a CT to a call with neurology. I loved that I had to think fast, work with everyone in the room and still slow down to explain each step to his daughter.
My rotations showed me I do my best work when I don't know what's coming through the door next. I liked owning the first hour of someone's care and handing off a clear plan.
I also care about the people who use the ED as their only doctor. At my home hospital I helped start a follow-up call list for patients sent home without a primary care doctor.
I want to train somewhere busy, with strong ultrasound teaching and a community I can serve, which is why your program is near the top of my list.
More questions and how to answer them: emergency medicine residency interview and OB/GYN residency interview practice.
What do you still do through the NRMP?
“Completing your ResidencyCAS application does not register you for any match service.” The Match information page adds “The Match is a separate service from ResidencyCAS, and you must register for it independently”. Once you register, your NRMP ID links to ResidencyCAS within 48 hours, and you didn't need it by the application deadline.
Register, rank and SOAP: the NRMP steps
- Register: $85 with the NRMP, covering up to 20 programs on your rank list, then $30 per program. Standard registration closes January 29, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, and $50 is added after that.
- Rank: certify your list in the NRMP's R3 system by March 3, 2027 at 9 p.m. Eastern. See our rank order list guide.
- SOAP: if you don't match, SOAP for EM and OB/GYN runs through ResidencyCAS. SOAP in any other specialty needs MyERAS. More in our SOAP guide.
Can you apply through ResidencyCAS and ERAS?
Yes. CORD says “Applicants are not required to register with MyERAS unless they are also applying to a specialty that continues to utilize that platform.” The NRMP puts it simply: “You must register for both the NRMP and the application service or process required by the program.”
What applying through both takes, and costs
Applying through both means two accounts, two personal statements, two sets of letter assignments and two fees. For example, 30 emergency medicine programs on ResidencyCAS ($315) and 20 internal medicine programs on ERAS ($220) come to $535 in application fees, before transcripts and NRMP registration. See ERAS fees for the ERAS side, and IMG residency interviews if you are applying through ECFMG.
For the wider picture, start at our residency interview hub.
Sources: the ResidencyCAS Applicant Help Center pages on fees, cycle dates, the quick start guide, submitting and refunds, letters and signals, Match information, exam scores, selecting programs, OB/GYN standards, interviews, the personal statement and the reflective statement, the ResidencyCAS and applicant pages, CORD's student resources, ResidencyCAS collaboration page and 2026-27 best practices, APGO's 2026-27 OB/GYN guidelines, the NRMP applicant calendar and Match fees, and the USMLE transcript notice. All checked October 30, 2026. ERAS fees in the comparison come from the AAMC's 2027 MyERAS guide. ResidencyCAS is a trademark of Liaison International, and Confetto is not affiliated with it.
Frequently asked questions
What is ResidencyCAS?
ResidencyCAS is the Residency Centralized Application Service, a residency application platform run by Liaison International. You submit one application with your documents, and ResidencyCAS sends it to the programs you choose. In the 2026-27 season, emergency medicine, its combined programs and OB/GYN use it instead of ERAS.
Which specialties use ResidencyCAS?
For the 2026-27 season, ResidencyCAS lists obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and combined emergency medicine programs with family medicine, internal medicine, aerospace medicine, pediatrics and anesthesiology. OB/GYN moved in 2024-25 and emergency medicine in 2025-26. Most other specialties still apply through ERAS.
How much does ResidencyCAS cost?
Fees are per specialty. $99 covers your first 18 programs, then each program costs $18 up to 30 and $23 after that. Thirty programs in one specialty cost $315. If you apply to 9 or fewer programs overall, each costs $10. Fees are not refundable.
Is there a ResidencyCAS fee waiver?
Yes. If you got a fee waiver from the AAMC (AMCAS or MCAT) or AACOM for medical school, you can ask ResidencyCAS for a waiver that covers up to 30 programs in one specialty, worth $315 at this season's prices. Processing takes up to five business days, and you need to submit all 30 programs at once to use all of it.
Do I still need to register for the NRMP Match?
Yes. ResidencyCAS does not register you for the Match. You register separately with the NRMP ($85, covering up to 20 programs on your rank list), and your NRMP ID links to ResidencyCAS within 48 hours. Standard registration closes January 29, 2027, and rank lists are due March 3, 2027.
Can I apply through ResidencyCAS and ERAS at the same time?
Yes. If you apply to emergency medicine or OB/GYN and to another specialty, you use ResidencyCAS for the first and MyERAS for the second, with separate fees, documents and letter assignments. CORD says EM applicants don't need MyERAS unless they also apply to a specialty that still uses it. One NRMP registration covers your rank list.
How many signals do you get in ResidencyCAS?
Emergency medicine applicants get 5 signals of equal weight and should not signal home or away rotation sites. OB/GYN applicants get 3 gold and 15 silver signals, 18 in all.
When was the ResidencyCAS deadline for 2026-27?
The deadline was September 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern (for emergency medicine, ResidencyCAS calls it a recommended submission date), and programs could view applications from September 23, 2026. You can still submit later, but programs vary in whether they review late applications, and many OB/GYN programs may not.