Residency wrap-up checklist: Transition into practice
Finish residency strong with a checklist to guide your transition into practice.
Completing residency is a huge milestone — congratulations! This checklist highlights the most important tasks to wrap up your training and set yourself up for success as you transition into practice as a new family physician.
Step 1: Complete final residency tasks
Submit residency exit paperwork
Before graduation, make sure all required forms are submitted. This often includes hospital credentialing documents, institutional surveys, and health system clearance forms. Keep copies of everything for your personal records.
Review graduation & training requirements
Confirm with your program director or coordinator that you’ve met all clinical and academic requirements. This step ensures timely graduation and avoids any surprises when you’re applying for state licensure.
Complete final evaluations and records
Finalize end-of-rotation evaluations, procedure logs, and board eligibility paperwork. Many programs also request feedback from residents about the curriculum — take time to contribute your insights.
Get your credentials in order
Apply for appropriate state licensure and registration, and state-required exams, if needed.
Apply for Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and state-specific Department of Public Safety (DPS) licenses.
Identify state(s) in which you would like to practice and research their licensing requirements and how long the licensure process takes.
Ensure state laws allow you to practice to your desired spectrum of care.
Step 2: Pass your board exam
Apply for certification
Make sure you’ve completed all residency and licensing requirements before submitting your application.
Tools to study smarter
Access our bank of free board review questions to complement your study plan.
Step 3: Prepare for practice
Set salary and career expectations
Use the AAFP Career Benchmark Dashboard to compare compensation, benefits and workload expectations across different locations and practice settings.
Consult with faculty mentors and recent graduates to align your expectations with realistic job scenarios and long-term goals.
Think about your desired work-life balance in relation to your practice setting options and personal life, including your ideal work week and breakdown of percentages of FTE spent in patient care, administrative duties, teaching, research, etc.
Consider seeking out career coaching.
Look for a job
Update your CV, personal statement and cover letter. Confirm references and have these documents reviewed by trusted mentors.
Know the AAFP’s five signs of a good physician employer. Identify potential employers and research relevant information about them.
Post your CV and set up job alerts on the AAFP’s CareerLink website, and take advantage of career placement services offered to AAFP members.
Identify resources to find and apply for positions, including your personal and professional networks, health system recruiters, job listing websites and direct connections with employers.
Prepare questions to ask potential employers before your in-person interview.
Rehearse answers to anticipated questions from potential employers and interviewers.
Number of job offers rescinded due to negotiation—most employers are open to modifications
Negotiate your contract for a new physician role
Engage a lawyer experienced in physician contracts who aligns with your values and professional goals.
Before opening contract discussions, make a list of points to cover and categorize them as must-haves, nice-to-haves, items to use in negotiation but willing to give away, etc.
Learn common contract terminology, benefits to look for and provisions to avoid (e.g., restrictive covenants and lack of payment for supervision in collaborative practice arrangements).
Watch free negotiation training videos or take a class on negotiation skills to prepare to conduct your own job negotiations.
After you’ve received a contract, verify a point of contact with the employer.
Review your contract carefully, identify any vague language, and ask specific questions to clarify contract details.
Step 4: Plan your finances for life after residency
Manage student loan repayment options
Explore repayment programs, loan forgiveness opportunities, and refinancing options. Federal repayment programs such as PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) may be especially relevant to family physicians working in underserved areas.
Share of medical trainees currently carrying student loan debt, with many owing well over $150,000
Establish budgeting & savings tools
Transitioning from resident to attending means a big change in income. Create a realistic budget that accounts for increased earnings while addressing existing debt, savings goals and lifestyle needs.
Understand compensation and benefits packages
Take time to review your employment benefits, including retirement plans, health coverage and CME allowances. Understanding these packages helps you maximize their value and plan for long-term financial security.
Step 5: Prioritize personal well-being
Schedule time off to recharge
Access wellness resources
Build support networks
Step 6: Stay connected with the AAFP
Update your member profile
Explore CME & career development opportunities
AAFP offers a wide variety of CME options to help you get extra training in areas you will be focusing on more in practice.
Business topics
Pregnancy care
Consider setting CME goals early in your career to stay current and maintain licensure.
Join the new physician community
Connect with peers who are also navigating the transition into practice. Through AAFP’s new physician resources, you’ll gain access to networking opportunities, leadership pathways and practice management tools.