Program Letter of Agreement (PLA)

What is the purpose of Program Letters of Agreement (PLAs)?

  • The ACGME states, “there must be PLAs between an accredited program and all participating sites to which residents/fellows rotate for required education or assignments. PLAs are not required for participating sites is under the same governance as the program’s Sponsoring Institution”.
  • Required experience/ rotations = 1 month equivalent/ FTE.

Is there a PLA template and where can it be found?

When are PLAs required?

Who should sign a PLA?

  • PLAs must include the signatures of the:
    • Program Director, initiating the agreement,
    • 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.

What is the timeline for getting PLA signed/ executed?

  • Agreements can take a minimum of 60-days to be fully executed dependent on the required signatories (DIO and/ or the VP for Academic  & Faculty Affairs)

When should a PLA be renewed?

  • PLAs are required to be renewed every 10 years.

When should a PLA be updated?

  • PLAs are updated whenever:
    • there are change in program director or
    • participating site director or in
    • resident/fellow assignments.

Where are signed PLAs submitted?

  • The partially signed PLA, by the Program Director, must be submitted to Kristelle Grant Deterville to obtain the DIO signature.
  • The rotation’s Goals & Objectives also need to be included along with the PLA.

Who uploads/updates a signed PLA in NI?

  • PLAs are uploaded/updated in NI primarily by the Program Coordinator.
  • Copies are also saved to the Program files in GME.