International Medical Graduates

The CPSO outlines four (4) pathways to reduce barriers for qualified physicians to obtain registration to practice medicine in Ontario.

Pathway 1: for physicians with a Canadian medical degree and postgraduate training without the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) certification

Pathway 2: for international medical graduates with Canadian postgraduate training without the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) certification

Pathway 3: for physicians with a US or Canadian medical degree or doctor of osteopathy with US postgraduate training

Pathway 4: for international medical graduates with US postgraduate training and certification

You may apply for registration with CPSO online through their website: www.cpso.on.ca

For physicians who have completed postgraduate training in the United States, there are options available to you to obtain a CPSO licence.

Option 1: CPSO Pathway 3 and Pathway 4

• You will be eligible to apply for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) if you:
• Have successfully completed a residency program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
• Have been certified by a USA Specialty Board.
• Have successfully completed the US Medical Licensing Examination or successfully completed an acceptable qualifying examination.
• Hold or are eligible for an independent or full licence or certificate of registration to practice without restrictions in the USA or Canada.

Option 2

To qualify for an independent certificate of registration from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), you must:

• Have a medical degree from an accredited Canadian or U.S. medical school or from an acceptable medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
• Pass Parts 1 and 2 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations, or an acceptable equivalent.
• Be certified by examination by either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).
• Have completed one year of post-graduate training or active medical practice in Canada, or have completed a full clinical clerkship at an accredited Canadian medical school.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or hold a permit to work in Canada.
• If you completed postgraduate training outside Canada or the United States, to qualify for an independent certificate of registration from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), you must:
• Have a medical degree from an accredited Canadian or U.S. medical school or from an acceptable medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools
• Pass Parts 1 and 2 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations, or an acceptable equivalent
• Be certified by examination by either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
• Have completed one year of post-graduate training or active medical practice in Canada, or have completed a full clinical clerkship at an accredited Canadian medical school
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or hold a permit to work in Canada.

Physicians who do not meet all the requirements for an independent licence with CPSO may be eligible for a restricted licence. Visit CPSO online to learn more about independent and restricted licensing.

The CFPC recognizes training from approved jurisdictions outside Canada and may grant the Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP) designation without examination to eligible physicians. Find out if you are eligible to apply to the CPFC by visiting www.cfpc.ca. 

HealthForceOntario Marketing and Recruitment Agency provides advice and information to the following groups of physicians who want to relocate and practise in Ontario:

• Physicians who have completed postgraduate training in the U.S.
• Physicians who have completed postgraduate training in Canada
• Physicians who have completed postgraduate training outside Canada or the U.S.

Information for physicians who may be eligible for a licence to practice can find information on HFO’s website in the physician relocation guide.

Physicians who are not eligible for a licence in Ontario can find information on HFO’s website under the Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals.

For more information, contact info@healthforceontario.ca.