Registration Requirements
Postgraduate Medical Training
A postgraduate education certificate is required for postgraduate medical training at an Ontario medical school and is renewed annually.
Requirements for obtaining a postgraduate education certificate
- A medical degree from an accredited Canadian or US medical school or from an acceptable medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- An appointment in training at an Ontario medical school.
Note: International Medical Graduates are also required to pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination.
Terms, conditions and limitations
The holder may practise medicine:
- only as required by the postgraduate program
- only in clinical teaching units or settings affiliated with a postgraduate program.
The holder may not charge fees for services.
Upon completion of postgraduate training and Canadian examinations, physicians obtain a certificate of registration authorizing independent practice.
NOTE: Students considering taking postgraduate training outside Canada, and who wish to return and obtain an Ontario certificate of registration are cautioned to seek confirmation from either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) that such training will allow them to be eligible for the certification exams of either of those bodies. Certification by the RCPSC or CFPC is required for registration in Ontario for independent practice.
Independent Practice
A certificate of registration for independent practice authorizes the holder to engage in independent, unsupervised medical practice.
Requirements for obtaining an Independent Practice certificate
- A medical degree from an accredited Canadian or US medical school or from an acceptable medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
- Successful completion of Parts 1 and 2 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination.
- Certification by examination by either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
- Completion in Canada of one year of postgraduate training or active medical practice, or completion of a full clinical clerkship at an accredited Canadian medical school.
- Canadian Citizenship or permanent resident status.
Terms, conditions and limitations
- The holder of the certificate may only practise in the areas in which he or she is educated and experienced.
- The holder of the independent practice certificate is entitled to all the rights and responsibilities of a physician in Ontario and must pay the annual membership fee to the College to maintain the independent practice certificate.
Note: The College does not recognize any alternatives to these qualifications except those set out in our various registration policies.
Out-of-Province Licence Holders in Canada
Holders of a licence or certificate to practise medicine in another Canadian province or territory (except Nunavut*) may apply for an equivalent certificate of registration in Ontario.
Their applications will be assessed under the labour mobility provisions in Ontario's Regulated Health Professions Act relating to the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT).
These AIT-related provisions enable application on the basis of holding a current Canadian out-of-province licence, rather than on holding the specific postgraduate Canadian qualifications that would otherwise be required. Note, however, that the usual credentialing requirements and fees still apply.
Two different applications are provided for this purpose, one for holders of full unrestricted undefined licences and the other for holders of defined, provisional, special (or similar) licences.
Note: All applications under this category require review by the College's Registration Committee for decision on whether to approve the application and impose terms, conditions and limitations equivalent to those on the out-of-province licence.
Physicians intending to engage only in postgraduate medical training in Ontario (residency, fellowship or elective) must use the regular application for a Postgraduate Education certificate.
* “Out-of-Province licence” means a licence or certificate to practise medicine granted by a medical regulatory authority in a Canadian province or territory that is a party to the Agreement on Internal Trade. Nunavut is not yet a party to the AIT.
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National Examining and Certifying Bodies
Medical Council of Canada (MCC)
To obtain a certificate of registration authorizing independent practice in Ontario, physicians must successfully complete postgraduate training and Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Parts I and II
The Medical Council of Canada grants a qualification in medicine known as the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) to graduate physicians who have satisfied the eligibility requirements and passed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Parts I and II. The Medical Council registers candidates who have been granted the LMCC in the Canadian Medical Register.
For eligibility to sit the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I, IMGs must first pass the MCCEE. IMGs with specialty certification in Canada or the US may be granted an exemption from the MCCEE.
The MCCEE is held in various locations throughout Canada and the world, and is open to all IMGs holding an acceptable medical degree.
Passing the MCCEE gives access to MCCQE Part 1. For access to Part 2, both a pass standing on Part 1 and previous completion of twelve months of postgraduate training are required. This training may be taken anywhere in the world.
For further information and to obtain an application for the MCCEE, visit the Medical Council of Canada website.
College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC): The national examining and certifying body for family medicine practitioners in Canada. The CFPC also accredits family medicine training programs in Canada.
Access to CFPC examinations is gained through two routes: “residency-eligibility” or “practice-eligibility.”
- Residency-eligibility requires completion of 24 months of family medicine residency training in accredited programs in Canada or the United States.
- Practice-eligibility requires completion of five years practice experience (of which the two most recent must be in Canada) and current possession of a licence to practise in a province or territory in Canada.
For complete details, please visit the CFPC website.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC): The national examining and certifying body for medical specialists in Canada. The RCPSC also accredits Canadian specialty training programs.
Access to the RCPSC examinations is gained through completion of an RCPSC-accredited residency program in Canada. Access is also available through completion of an RCPSC-recognized residency program in the United States.
Limited access is available through completion of certain international specialty training programs that have been previously assessed and approved by the RCPSC.
For further details, including the list of international programs approved by the RCPSC, visit the RCPSC website.