UW Dermatology Eligibility Policy
AY27 Updated draft ST 5.5.2026
References:
The University of Washington Dermatology Residency Program follows the UW Graduate Medical Education (GME) Eligibility, Recruitment, and Selection Policy, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Dermatology, and applicable requirements of the American Board of Dermatology (ABD) in all eligibility, recruitment, and selection practices.
1. General Medical School Eligibility
Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications to be eligible for appointment to the UW Dermatology Residency Program, an ACGME‑accredited program:
- Graduation from a medical school in the United States accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME); or
- Graduation from a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association; or
- Graduation from a medical school outside the United States or Canada and possession of a currently valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate prior to appointment.
2. Required Preliminary (PGY‑1) Training
Prior to appointment to the Dermatology Residency Program (PGY‑2 level), all applicants must have successfully completed 12 months of accredited postgraduate clinical training (PGY‑1) in one of the following programs accredited by the ACGME:
- Transitional Year
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Pediatrics
- General Surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
The program must receive verification of satisfactory completion and competency in the required clinical year. This includes milestone‑based evaluations using ACGME, ACGME‑International, or CanMEDS Milestones, as applicable, from the prior training program before matriculation.
3. Examination Requirements
At the time of appointment, all applicants must have:
- Passed or completed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK (or COMLEX‑USA Level 1 and Level 2 CE for osteopathic graduates, in accordance with ACGME policy); and
- Met any additional examination requirements necessary for medical licensure eligibility in Washington State.
4. Licensure and Employment Authorization
At the time of appointment, residents must:
- Be eligible for and obtain a Washington State physician limited license as required for postgraduate training; and
- Be authorized to work in the United States for the full duration of the training program, in accordance with UW Medicine and federal regulations.
Applicants must be able to meet all institutional credentialing and appointment requirements prior to the program start date.
5. Board Eligibility Considerations
Applicants must meet eligibility requirements that allow completion of training leading to American Board of Dermatology certification. The UW Dermatology Residency Program will not appoint applicants who, based on prior training or credentials, would be ineligible for ABD board certification upon successful completion of the program.
6. Non‑Discrimination and Selection Principles
In accordance with UW GME policy and ACGME requirements, the program recruits and selects residents among eligible applicants based on program‑related criteria, including preparation, demonstrated ability, academic credentials, professionalism, communication skills, and personal characteristics such as integrity and motivation. The program does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected by law or University policy.
7. Exceptions
Eligibility exceptions are not permitted except where explicitly allowed by the ACGME Review Committee for Dermatology or the American Board of Dermatology and must receive prior written approval from the appropriate governing body and the UW GME Office before appointment.
AY26 update
The Dermatology Residency Program follows the UW GME Eligibility, Recruitment, and Selection Policy and ACGME policies in its program policies and practices.
Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications to be eligible for appointment to the UW Dermatology Residency Program, an ACGME-accredited program:
- graduation from a medical school in the United States or Canada, accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME); or,
- graduation from a college of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA); or,
- graduation from a medical school outside of the United States or Canada, and holding a currently valid certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates prior to appointment.
Prior to appointment in the program, residents must have successfully completed a broad-based clinical year (PGY1) in an emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, or transitional year program accredited by the ACGME. Residency programs must receive verification of each resident’s level of competency in the required clinical field using ACGME, CanMEDS, or ACGME-I Milestones evaluations from the prior training program upon matriculation.
At the time of appointment to the training program, all applicants must have completed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams, be eligible for a Washington State provider license and be authorized to work in the United States.
There are no exceptions to these eligibility requirements.