Canada is a sizable country that is composed of 10 provinces and three territories. Each province has a certain autonomy and responsibility for social programs including health care and education, yet all abide by federal and national rules and regulations as well. This is also the case for obtaining a medical licence to practice anywhere in Canada. 

All doctors, both Canadian and Internationally trained, must follow steps in order to obtain a medical practice licence in the province they choose to practice in by adhering to both national and provincial regulations and requirements.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) are the national organisations that establish the standards for and accredit postgraduate family medicine training and specialist postgraduate residency training respectively.

Each province and territory then has a medical regulatory authority that is responsible for setting the licensing criteria for that specific province. 

These are the organisations you may want to become familiar with if you are interested in obtaining a licence to practice medicine anywhere in Canada.

National Training Certification Process

Family Physicians  

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) 

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) is the professional organization that establishes the standards for and accredits postgraduate family medicine training in Canada's 17 medical schools. It reviews and certifies continuing professional development programs and materials that enable family physicians to meet certification and licensing requirements. This includes routes to certification based on recognition of training and certification obtained in international jurisdictions. 

Specialist Physicians 

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) is the national professional association that oversees the medical education of specialists in Canada. The College accredits the university programs that train resident physicians for their specialty practices and write and administer the examinations that residents must pass to become certified as specialists. International medical graduate training from an approved jurisdiction is also assessed through the RCPSC.

Provincial & Territorial Medical Regulatory Authorities – Medical Licencing & Registration

All Physicians 

All postgraduate residents and all practising physicians must hold an educational or practice licence from the medical regulatory authority in the province in which they study or practice.

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta

College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba

College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island

Collège des médecins du Québec

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan

Health and Social Services - Government of the Northwest Territories

Department of Health and Social Services - Government of Nunavut

Yukon Medical Council - Registrar of Medical Practitioners

This is a general overview of the route to practicing medicine in Canada.

The process to obtaining a medical practice licence for an out-of country candidate can be complex and has many stages. If you’re looking for work in Canada and would like guidance on all the steps required, send our fantastic recruitment team a message or give us a call!

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