Fellowship Programs
A Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship is a post-residency training program for psychiatrists that focuses on developing expertise in the intersection of psychiatry and the law, allowing them to provide expert psychiatric evaluations in legal matters, including criminal cases, civil litigation, and correctional settings, by learning to assess mental competency, dangerousness, and other legal issues related to mental health conditions.
Directory of Forensic Psychiatry Fellowships for Fellowships
Last revised Friday, March 20, 2026
Published by the Association of Directors of Forensic Psychiatry Fellowships, a Council of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Fellowship Year
How to Apply
The application and interview cycle for the 2026-2027 fellowship year has concluded, but some programs still have positions available. Applicants should contact the programs directly to inquire about applying.
Applications for the 2027-2028 Fellowship Year
How to Apply
Forensic psychiatry fellowship program directors of the Association of Directors of Forensic Psychiatry Fellowships (ADFPF) have chosen to use the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) in the 2026 forensic psychiatry fellow selection process for the 2027-2028 Academic Year. The key dates for the 2027-2028 Academic Year application process are:
- July 1, 2026 – Applicants may apply to forensic psychiatry fellowships via ERAS. https://students-residents.aamc.org/applying-residencies-eras/applying-residencies-eras-system
- Interviewing Opens: July 15, 2026 and continues to October 7, 2026
Forensic psychiatry fellowship program directors have also chosen to use the National Residency Match Program (NRMP aka “The Match”) in the 2026 forensic psychiatry fellow selection process for the 2027-2028 Academic Year. The key dates for the 2027-2028 Academic Year Match are:
- August 5, 2026 – Match Registration opens.
- September 2, 2026 – Ranking opens.
- September 23, 2026 – Quota Change and Withdrawal deadline.
- October 7, 2026 – Rank Order List Certification deadline.
- October 21, 2026 – Match Day. Unfilled/Unmatched Lists available.
Forensic psychiatry fellowship program directors have agreed that forensic psychiatry fellowships may not make fellowship offers to applicants outside of The Match, unless the program is attempting to fill an unfilled position after Match Day. This is consistent with the All-In Policy of The Match that the ADFPF has adopted. https://www.nrmp.org
US Fellowship Programs
Canadian Fellowship Programs
Notice About Accreditation
Forensic psychiatry training programs in the United States may be accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Accredited programs have demonstrated that they met the standards for forensic psychiatry training programs established by the ACGME.
The ACGME first certified training programs in forensic psychiatry in 1997. Persons who graduate from forensic psychiatry training programs certified by the ACGME may apply for the Added Qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry examination of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) at any time.
Persons who are not graduates of an accredited forensic psychiatry training programs may no longer apply for the inital Added Qualifications in Forensic Psychiatry examination of the ABPN. However, those who already possess Added Qualifications may take the recertification examinations.
