What a doctor trained abroad needs to register in Canada
Read from the regulator's own documents. Each step shows what it costs, who usually pays, and the date we last checked it. Enter your details and we tell you which of these you already meet.
Family doctors certified in Australia, Ireland, the UK or the US (CFPC certification without examination)
For family physicians holding FRACGP, FACRRM, MICGP, MRCGP or DABFM who practised in that country. Source verification, CFPC certification without examination and a job lead to a CPSO certificate to practise independently in scope; the MCCQE makes it fully independent.
- 1Acceptable medical degree (a school in the World Directory of Medical Schools)
- 2Confirm your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (search.wdoms.org)
- 3Family medicine certification from Australia (FRACGP or FACRRM), Ireland (MICGP), the United Kingdom (MRCGP) or the United States (DABFM)
- 4Registered and practising family medicine in the country that certified you, with no gap in licence or practice over two years in the last three
- 5Source verification of your degree, training and certification on physiciansapply.ca (CAD 150 account, CAD 232 per credential)~10 weeks · ~CAD 846 · you pay · Source ↗
- 6Certificates of good standing from your regulator and your certifying college, under six months old~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 7English: IELTS Academic 7.0 in every component or OET Medicine B in every sub-test, one sitting, within 24 months (CELPIP 9 and French tests also accepted)you pay · Source ↗
- 8CFPC certification without examination (CAD 533 application, CAD 3,518 certification)~12 weeks · ~CAD 4,051 · you pay · Source ↗
- 9Job offer in Ontario and a work permit, then the CPSO certificate (provisional, independent in scope; the MCCQE makes it fully independent)~8 weeks · who pays varies · Source ↗
- 10Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Specialists through the Royal College's Practice Eligibility Route (supervised practice up to three years)
For specialists who completed their training outside Canada and the United States. The MCCQE (which carries the LMCC), acceptance into the Royal College's Practice Eligibility Route and a supervised post lead to a provisional CPSO certificate for up to three years while the Royal College exam and time in practice are completed.
- 1Acceptable medical degree (a school in the World Directory of Medical Schools)
- 2Confirm your medical school is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (search.wdoms.org)
- 3Completed specialty training with a specialty certificate (the Royal College assesses it against its own programme)
- 4Source verification of your degree and specialty certificate on physiciansapply.ca (CAD 150 account, CAD 232 per credential)~10 weeks · ~CAD 614 · you pay · Source ↗
- 5Pass the MCCQE (CAD 1,500; at Prometric centres in over 70 countries, four sessions a year), which carries the LMCC~20 weeks · ~CAD 1,500 · you pay · Source ↗
- 6Acceptance into the Royal College's Practice Eligibility Route~16 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 7Certificates of good standing from every regulator you have been registered with~4 weeks · you pay · Source ↗
- 8English: IELTS Academic 7.0 in every component or OET Medicine B in every sub-test, one sitting, within 24 months (CELPIP 9 and French tests also accepted)you pay · Source ↗
- 9Supervised post at a named Ontario location and a work permit, then the provisional CPSO certificate (up to three years)~8 weeks · who pays varies · Source ↗
- 10Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Residency through CaRMS (Canadian citizens and permanent residents)
For doctors who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents and need Canadian postgraduate training. The MCCQE and the NAC Examination, source verification and a CaRMS match lead to residency and a postgraduate education certificate; each province adds its own criteria.
- 1Medical degree from a school in the World Directory of Medical Schools recognised in Canada
- 2Canadian citizenship or permanent residence
- 3Source verification of your degree on physiciansapply.ca (CAD 150 account, CAD 232 per credential)~10 weeks · ~CAD 382 · you pay · Source ↗
- 4Pass the MCCQE (CAD 1,500)~20 weeks · ~CAD 1,500 · you pay · Source ↗
- 5Pass the NAC Examination (CAD 3,320)~20 weeks · ~CAD 3,320 · you pay · Source ↗
- 6English: IELTS Academic 7.0 in every component or OET Medicine B in every sub-test, one sitting, within 24 months, where the province or programme asksyou pay · Source ↗
- 7Match into a residency through CaRMS (provincial criteria, return-of-service in some provinces)~40 weeks · who pays varies · Source ↗
- 8Overseas Employment Certificate from the Department of Migrant Workers, through a DMW-licensed recruitment agency or an employer the DMW allows to hire directly (Filipino workers)who pays varies · Source ↗
Rules checked 25 Oct 2026 · outcomeOS describes each regulator's published rules; it does not advise on your individual case. · Privacy · Terms