CaRMS Guide

CaRMS stand for, Canadian Residency Matching Service. Requirements include, either Canadian citizenship or proof of permanent residency. Another requirement is having a Medical Identification Number of Canada (MINC). 

Different CaRMS matches that take place every year 

1. R-1 Match: Refers to anyone applying to their first year of residency, typically those that just finished medical school

2. MSM Match: Refers to the Medicine sub Speciality Match, this is for those that have completed their basic training in internal medicine and are now looking to pursue a sub specialty in Internal Medicine. 

3. FM/ES Match: Refers to those that have completed their basic training in Family Medicine and are looking to sub-specialize into something (anesthesiology, OBGYN, emergency medicine)

4. PSM: Refers to the Pediatric sub Specialty Match, after pediatric basic training

Applying To Specific Sites

When applying to residency spots you're choosing one of the 17 medical school in Canada. However when you apply to one of those residency locations you're technically applying to specific sites attached to that location. For example if apply for FM in McMaster what you're actually applying for is to match at one of the 12 sites within the McMaster system that you have to choose. You can also apply to all the sites within the McMaster system, this applies to the other major sites as well.

Timeline 2027 cycle as an example  TIMELINE

September 9, 2026: CarMS online opens

October 15, 2026: Program selection opens.

November 26, 2026: Deadline to submit application and documents. 

January 21, 2027: Ranking period begins

February 18, 2027: Rank order list deadline

March 2, 2027: Canadian MATCH Day