Program Letter of Agreement (PLA)

The PLA or Program Letter of Agreement, is a written document that addresses graduate medical education (GME) responsibilities between a program and a participating site at which residents/fellows have required educational experiences.

Purpose

The purpose of a PLA is to ensure a shared understanding of expectations for the educational experience, the nature of the experience, and the responsibilities of the program and the participating site.

Relevance for Program Coordinator Role:

• Program coordinators typically work with the program director to prepare and obtain signatures for PLAs.
• Program coordinators should know the meaning of the term “PLA” and where to locate their program’s PLA(s).

When are PLAs needed?

• Required education experience/ rotations = 1 month equivalent/ FTE (Rotation Requests)
• Elective Rotations – Visiting Trainees
• Visiting Trainees

How do I know if a rotation is required or not for my specialty?

• Visit the your specialty board for more details.

1. Program directors are responsible for PLAs. Designated institutional officials (DIOs) are required to review and approve all PLAs.
2. A change in program director or DIO does not require updating a PLA with new signatures.
3. PLAs must be updated and renewed at leastevery 10 years.
4. The ACGME only requires PLAs for sites providing required educational experiences. PLAs are not required for elective rotations.
5. Although the ACGME does not require PLAs for sites providing elective rotations, an institution or GME office may require a PLA for those sites.
   1. NOTE: UT Health requires PLAs for elective rotations.

   The institution Program Letter of Agreement (PLA) template is found in the New Innovations Intranet

   Office of Graduate Medical Education
   at McGovern Medical School

   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