This article presents the first data on the charac teristics of applicants to the physician fellowship pro gram in quality assurance (QA) and utilization review (UR). Data presented about applicants include demo graphic characteristics, board and national certifi cations, specialties, license type, practice experience, and QA and UR experience. These data were obtained from individual applications for admission to the pro gram. They are used here to create a database for the program to generate future information on this new specialty group. Characteristics of current applica tions selected begin to define the members of the profession.