CaRMS and MCC exams
Timing for international medical graduates taking MCC exams and applying to CaRMs R-1 Main Residency Match.
International medical graduates (IMGs), graduates from a U.S. School of Osteopathic Medicine, and graduates from a U.S. School of Allopathic Medicine (who graduated on or after July 1, 2025) who want to apply for the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) R-1 Main Residency Match will need to provide results for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I and the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination. You can choose to take the NAC Examination and the MCCQE Part I in the order that you prefer.
If you want to apply to a postgraduate medical training program in Québec as an IMG, you must have met the requirements of the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ) before applying to the CaRMS match. These requirements include having obtained prior recognition of equivalence of your Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the CMQ. In addition, to be eligible into the regular quota, the Québec government requires that you respect the definition of resident in Québec of the ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur.
International and U.S medical students graduating in spring 2027 who want to apply for the 2027 CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match will need to take the MCCQE Part I and NAC Examination during certain sessions. File review for the 2027 R-1 first iteration match begins in late November 2026. By taking the exams in the sessions outlined below, you will have enough time to receive your results from both exams before the deadline.
Note: In Québec, the requirements for the match and admission to a postgraduate medical training program differ from those in other provinces. Please refer to the Collège des médecins du Québec website to learn more about the required conditions.
You will be able to apply for the MCCQE Part I 15 months from the date you are expected to fully complete all medical degree requirements (your graduation date). Apply and schedule an appointment to take the MCCQE Part I during either the:
You can apply for the NAC Examination if you are expected to complete all medical degree requirements within 15 months of the date of the exam. Apply by the respective application deadlines to take the exam during either the:
Candidate applies to the MCCQE Part I and/or the NAC Examination.
Candidate takes the MCCQE Part I in any of the April, August or October sessions.
Candidate takes the NAC Examination in either the May or September session.
Candidate shares their MCCQE Part I and NAC Examination results with CaRMS in time for the file review that typically opens in late November.
CaRMS 2027 R-1 residency match.
Student candidates graduate.