Physician licensing in Canada

Acquiring a license to practice medicine in Canada involves a series of steps, which can vary slightly depending on whether you are a Canadian medical graduate or an internationally educated medical graduate. Here is a comprehensive guide to the general process:

For Canadian Medical Graduates

1. Complete a Medical Degree:
   • Obtain a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree from a medical school accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS).
2. Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I):
   • Register and pass the MCCQE Part I, which tests medical knowledge and clinical decision-making.
3. Apply for Residency:
   • Participate in the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) to secure a residency position in a Canadian hospital.
4. Complete a Residency Program:
   • Complete a residency program in your chosen specialty. The length of residency varies depending on the specialty (typically 2-7 years).
5. Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II (MCCQE Part II):
   • Pass the MCCQE Part II, an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) that assesses clinical skills.
6. Obtain Certification from a National Medical Body:
   • For most specialties, obtain certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
7. Apply for a Provincial/Territorial License:
   • Apply for a medical license from the medical regulatory authority in the province or territory where you intend to practice.

For International Medical Graduates (IMGs)

1. Verify Medical Degree:
   • Have your medical degree verified through the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) process with the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).
2. Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE):
   • IMGs are required to pass the MCCEE. Note: As of 2019, the MCCEE has been discontinued, and IMGs now directly take the MCCQE Part I.
3. Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I):
   • Register and pass the MCCQE Part I.
4. Language Proficiency:
   • Demonstrate proficiency in English or French, depending on the province, through standardized language tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or TEF.
5. National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination:
   • Pass the NAC Examination, an OSCE that assesses clinical skills and readiness for residency training.
6. Apply for Residency:
   • Participate in the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) to secure a residency position.
7. Complete a Residency Program:
   • Complete a residency program in your chosen specialty.
8. Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II (MCCQE Part II):
   • Pass the MCCQE Part II.
9. Obtain Certification from a National Medical Body:
   • Obtain certification from the RCPSC or CFPC in your specialty.
10. Apply for a Provincial/Territorial License:
    • Apply for a medical license from the medical regulatory authority in the province or territory where you intend to practice.

Provincial/Territorial Licensing Authorities

Each province and territory in Canada has its own medical regulatory authority that issues licenses to practice medicine. Here are some of the main ones:

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC)
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
• Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ)
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM)

Continuous Professional Development

• Maintain Licensure:
  • Engage in ongoing professional development and fulfill continuing medical education (CME) requirements as mandated by the provincial/territorial regulatory authority to maintain your license.