The service is intended for internationally trained physicians who have already taken important steps toward medical practice in Canada and may be eligible, or approaching eligibility, for an existing pathway.
During the pilot, candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria related to their physiciansapply.ca account, source verification, language proficiency and postgraduate medical training. The expression of interest form will help you determine whether you meet these initial criteria.
The service is available in English and French.
A Pathway Navigation Specialist can:
The decision about which opportunities or pathways to pursue remains yours.
The Licensure Pathway Navigation Service does not replace the organizations responsible for medical registration, certification, assessment or individual medical practice pathways.
A Pathway Navigation Specialist cannot:
You remain responsible for confirming requirements with the appropriate organizations and for making and managing your own applications.
No. The MCC does not issue licences to practise medicine in Canada. Medical licences are issued by the medical regulatory authority in each province and territory.
Each medical regulatory authority establishes its own licensing requirements and determines how MCC examinations and credentials, and certifications from organizations such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the College of Family Physicians of Canada, are used in its jurisdiction.
The relevant medical regulatory authority has final authority to determine whether you are eligible for licensure.
The purpose of the service is to help you better understand the pathways that may be available to you and make informed decisions about your next steps.
Participating in the Licensure Pathway Navigation Service does not provide an advantage in an application to a medical practice pathway and does not guarantee medical registration or licensure in Canada.
The first step is to complete the online expression of interest form. We’ll review the information you provide, along with relevant information in your physiciansapply.ca account, to understand your circumstances and whether the service may be a good fit for you.
If you meet the initial eligibility criteria and we believe the service could be helpful to you, we’ll get in touch to learn more about your individual experience and goals. We’ll ask for some additional information about your medical education, postgraduate training and practice experience so that your advisor can better understand your situation and prepare for a personalized conversation with you.
The Licensure Pathway Navigation Service is currently being offered as a pilot and we have a limited number of consultations available. We are receiving a high volume of interest, and there may be a significant wait while we receive your information. We may not be able to offer a consultation to everyone who is eligible. Consultations will be offered to those who meet the eligibility criteria based on availability and in the order submissions are received.
There is no fee to participate in the Licensure Pathway Navigation Service.
To submit an expression of interest, you must meet all of the initial eligibility criteria described in the form. If you reach a required eligibility question and none of the available responses apply to you, you do not currently meet the criteria for the service and will not be able to submit the form.
You may submit an expression of interest in the future if your circumstances change and you meet the eligibility criteria at that time.
Yes. You do not need to be living in Canada to participate in the Licensure Pathway Navigation Service, provided you meet the service’s eligibility criteria.
A physiciansapply.ca account is required to participate in the Licensure Pathway Navigation Service. The service is designed to help candidates explore medical practice pathways across Canada, and information in your physiciansapply.ca account is an important part of assessing the pathways that may be available to you.
Alternatively, there are self-serve resources you can explore that are specific to Ontario. Ontario Health’s Access Centre for Internationally Educated Health Professionals provides information and guidance about licensing and career options in Ontario, including services for internationally trained physicians.
If the service isn’t the right fit for you at this time, we’ll let you know. Where possible, we will direct you to information and resources that may help you continue your journey toward medical practice in Canada.
Not being eligible for the service does not mean that you cannot pursue medical practice in Canada. It means that, based on the information available to us, this particular service is not appropriate for your circumstances at this time.
Yes. As part of the screening process, you will be asked to acknowledge that Licensure Pathway Navigation Service staff will review relevant information in your physiciansapply.ca account.
If you participate in the service, this information may also be used to help the specialist understand your medical education and credentials and provide guidance relevant to your circumstances.
Consultations are scheduled in advance and take place virtually using Microsoft Teams. Before your consultation, you will be asked to provide additional information and agree to the terms of participation in the service.
During the consultation, a Licensure Navigation specialist will discuss your education, postgraduate training, practice experience and other relevant circumstances with you. Together, you will explore medical practice pathways that may be relevant to your circumstances and discuss possible next steps.
Following the consultation, you will receive a written summary of the information and resources discussed.
Consultations are approximately 60 minutes long. We aim to allow enough time for a meaningful conversation, and your Licensure Navigation specialist may spend additional time with you, if needed and where possible, to complete the conversation. We recommend leaving some flexibility in your schedule following your appointment.
If you can no longer attend your scheduled appointment, contact your Licensure Navigation specialist by email as soon as possible and, whenever possible, at least 24 hours in advance. If you are running late or experiencing technical difficulties that are preventing you from joining, contact your Licensure Navigation specialist by email.
The Licensure Pathway Navigation Service is designed to provide a single one-on-one consultation based on your circumstances at the time of your appointment. If you have specific follow-up questions related to information discussed during your consultation, you may contact your Pathway Navigation Specialist by email.
If you need to correct information in your expression of interest, please submit the form again using the same email address. We will use the information in your most recent submission when reviewing your expression of interest.
You do not need to contact us separately to let us know that you have resubmitted the form.
Allow up to 10 business days for us to review your expression of interest. We’ll get in touch by email once your submission has been reviewed.
If you have not received a response after 10 business days, check your junk or spam folder and confirm that you are checking the email account associated with your physiciansapply.ca account. If more than 10 business days have passed and you still cannot locate a response, contact the MCC service desk and indicate that your question relates to a Licensure Pathway Navigation Service expression of interest.
Please do not submit another expression of interest unless you need to correct or update information in your original submission.
The Licensure Pathway Navigation Service is not a replacement for MCC Candidate Services and cannot assist with routine questions about your physiciansapply.ca account, source verification, examination registration, results or other MCC services.
For assistance with these questions, contact the MCC service desk.
Licensure Pathway Navigation Service consultations take place virtually using Microsoft Teams. You will need a reliable internet connection and a computer or other device with a microphone and speakers, and a camera.
You will receive a Microsoft Teams meeting link before your scheduled consultation. You do not need a Microsoft Teams account to join the meeting.
If you experience technical difficulties that prevent you from joining your consultation, contact your Pathway Navigation Specialist using the contact information provided with your appointment.
