Program Letters of Agreement

Who should sign the PLAs for the Sponsoring Institution and for the participating sites?

• A PLA should include the signatures of the program director as initiating the letter and the local director at the participating site. The official signing for the participating site to which the residents/fellows rotate should be the individual responsible for supervising and overseeing resident/fellow education at that location (e.g., the local director or, in some cases, the medical director). Although the requirements do not specify that the PLA include the signature of the designated institutional official (DIO), institutions may find it prudent to include this signature. It is the responsibility of the DIO, in collaboration with the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC)of the Sponsoring Institution, to establish and administer the local policies and procedures regarding PLAs.

How are PLAs reviewed for purposes of accreditation?

• Program directors should have the PLAs available for review by the Accreditation Field Representative during a program site visit. Program directors and DIOs should contact the Review Committee Executive Director for more specific details or further clarification.

When should PLAs be updated?

• Agreements should be updated whenever there are changes in program director or participating site director or in resident/fellow assignments, or when there are revisions to the items specified in Common Program Requirements I.B.1.a)-d). PLAs must be renewed at least every 10 years. If nothing in the agreement has changed at the end of ten years, it is acceptable to add an amendment signifying review and extension of the agreement with signatures.

What is the minimum experience for which a PLA needs to exist between an accredited program and a site involved in residency/fellowship education?

• There must be PLAs between an accredited program and all sites to which residents/fellows rotate for required education or assignments.

Mailing Address:
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Office of Graduate Medical Education
6431 Fannin, Suite JJL 310
Houston TX 77030-1503

Physical Address:
McGovern Medical School at UTHealth
Office of Graduate Medical Education
1133 John Freeman Blvd., Suite JJL 310
Houston TX 77030-1503
Voice – 713-500-5151
Fax – 713-486-9534