Overview of Medical Registration in Canada

The requirements to practice as a doctor in Canada are regulated by each provincial and territorial medical regulatory authority. You are advised to contact the appropriate provincial/territorial medical regulatory authority for assistance.

International Medical Graduates (IMG’s) are required to follow certain steps in order to practice medicine in Canada.  Some of these must be completed before arrival in Canada and others after arrival.

STEPS BEFORE ARRIVING IN CANADA

You can start the licensure process by:

1. Confirming that your medical degree is from a recognised medical school.
   Check it on the International Medical Education Directory (IMED), part of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research‘s (FAIMER) website.
2. Taking an online self-assessment exam (SAE-EE) in order to check your readiness for the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE)
3. Submitting your credentials with the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Physician Credentials Repository.
   Through http://www.physiciansapply.ca/ you can open an account to access Repository services. You will be able to share your portfolio with provincial/territorial medical regulatory authorities, certifying and qualifying bodies. Check this website for more information.
   You are required to send a copy of your final medical diploma from the MCCEE to the MCC Physician Credentials Repository in order to be eligible for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part II.
4. Taking the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE)

IMGs are required to pass the MCCEE in order to apply for a residency position through the Canadian Resident Matching Service. The MCCEE is offered through 500 sites in 80 countries.

Check this website for details on MCCEE fees.

STEPS AFTER THE ARRIVAL

Once a candidate has taken the MCCEE, they may be requested to take the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) examination depending on the province. All provinces have the right to request additional assessments.

IMGs may be required to pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I and Part II.

Once the IMG passes the MCCQE part II or the new Certification Examination in Family Medicine, they are awarded the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada which is required to meet the Canadian Standard for full licensure

THE FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER PROGRAM (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is an immigration program administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). CIC has listed this profession as a priority occupation under the FSWP. To apply under this program, one of the requirements is to obtain an “Educational Credential Assessment” (ECA) which is needed to verify that your foreign degree is equal to a completed credential in Canada.

In order to be chosen as a permanent resident you will be assessed on your:

• English and/or French skills,
• education,
• work experience, and
• other factors that have been shown to help immigrants prosper in Canada.

Determine your eligibility and where to apply here.

The processing time depends on the country of origin. As an indication, for UK applicants it takes about 27 months.