PLA Signatures

Who should sign a PLA?

Program directors are responsible for PLAs. Designated institutional officials (DIOs) are required to review and approve all PLAs. PLAs must include the signatures of the:

  • Program Director, initiating the agreement,
    • NOTE: A change in program director or DIO does not require updating a PLA with new signatures.
  • the Site Director and/ or Program Director at the facility, and
  • Designated Institution Official (DIO).
  • Where applicable, Senior Vice President for Academic and Faculty Affairs.

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

The following is adapted from the ACGME Guide to the Common Program Requirements.

As specified in the Background and Intent under Common Program Requirement I.B.3.a), suggested elements for a PLA include:

  • Identifying the faculty members who will assume educational and supervisory responsibility for residents/fellows;
  • Specifying the responsibilities for teaching, supervision, and formal evaluation of residents/fellows;
  • Specifying the duration and content of the educational experience (e.g., rotation name, educational objectives); and,
  • Stating the policies and procedures that will govern resident/fellow education during the assignment.

Additional considerations for PLAs that may be further clarified in specialty-/subspecialty-specific FAQs include:

  • The site director may be the program director in some cases, but the program director is not usually the site director at all participating sites; and,
  • If the site is distant, the program should consider providing the residents/fellows with accommodation proximate to the participating site.

The ACGME requires copies of PLAs to be uploaded in the Accreditation Data System (ADS) for new program applications and updated applications. Accreditation Field Representatives request copies of and verify PLAs during site visits for applications, initial accreditation, and other types of site visits. For programs with a status of Continued Accreditation, the PLA is not requested when a new participating site is added in ADS. However, the program must provide confirmation that a PLA is in place and list the effective date. If the effective date is not available, the signature date may be documented as the effective date.