March 24, 2025- Two years after the emergency medicine residency match rate fell to 81.8%, the specialty’s fill rate is approaching its prepandemic norm, according to Becker’s. In 2023, an unprecedented 555 emergency medicine positions went unfilled. The next year, the fill rate increased to 95.5%, and in 2025, it rose to 97.9% — mostly due to more DO and international applicants matching to the specialty. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergency medicine fill rate averaged between 98% and 99%, according to Becker’s.
Overall, compared to last year, the National Resident Matching Program saw a 5.3% increase in certified applicants to 47,208 and a 4.2% increase in positions to 43,237, according to preliminary data.