Become a physician examiner | Medical Council of Canada
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Become a physician examiner 

Make a difference in the Canadian medical landscape by supporting the assessment of candidates as a physician examiner of simulated clinical scenarios.
About usGet involvedBecome a physician examiner 

Support the assessment of IMGs

The National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination is offered across Canada for international medical graduates who want to apply to a Canadian residency program. The exam consists of a series of stations based on presentations of clinical scenarios. Each station includes a brief written statement that introduces a clinical problem and directs candidates to appropriately examine a standardized participant (SP). In all stations, a physician examiner (PE) is present to observe and assess the SP-candidate encounter.

Why become a PE?

Beyond providing a valuable service to medical education and assessment in Canada, PEs will:

  • Earn Continuing Professional Development credits and an honorarium (including a certificate indicating the educational activities accomplished throughout the examination process)
  • Meet and interact with fellow physicians
  • Have an opportunity to provide feedback on exam content
Decorative image of a physician examiner taking notes during a NAC Examination

What’s involved

  • PEs can choose to participate on one or more exam days throughout the year. Exams are a one-day exam and run in the spring and fall.
  • PEs must complete a 1.5-hour online training program prior to exam day, which includes a scoring calibration exercise.

Eligibility requirements

Physicians who would like to become a PE must be, at the time of the exam, the following:

  • A senior resident (postgraduate year 3 (PGY-3) or more)
  • Eligible for their LMCC
  • Practising medicine in Canada with recent experience supervising:
    • clerks and/or
    • PGY-1s and/or
    • having experience as an examiner at this level of training

Apply to be a PE

To apply as a PE, you can email [email protected] and indicate your city of residence and your preferred exam session (May or September).