The ACGME for Residents and Fellows

The Mission of the ACGME is to improve health care and population health by assessing and enhancing the quality of resident and fellow physicians' education through advancements in accreditation and education.

Through accreditation, innovations, and initiatives, the ACGME strives to ensure that residents and fellows learn and train in educational environments that support patient safety, resident and fellow education, and physician well-being.

The resources below provide information about the ACGME, its purpose, and the importance of its work to all resident and fellow physicians, who are encouraged to learn more, ask questions, and get involved.

Additional information and clarification can be found by reading the ACGME Frequently Asked Questions.

The ACGME is a private, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that sets standards for US graduate medical education (residency and fellowship) programs and the institutions that sponsors them, and renders accreditation decisions based on compliance with these standards.

Accreditation is achieved through a voluntary process of evaluation and review based on published accreditation standards. ACGME accreditation provides assurance that a Sponsoring Institution or program meets the quality standards (Institutional and Program Requirements) of the specialty or subspecialty practice(s) for which it prepares its graduates.

ACGME accreditation is overseen by a Review Committee made up of volunteer specialty experts from the field that set accreditation standards and provide peer evaluation of Sponsoring Institutions and specialty and subspecialty residency and fellowship programs.