The pathway to Canadian licensure is rapidly evolving in response to the surge in interest by physicians and graduates from the United States (U.S.) considering practice in Canada. This is driving changes to recognize American Board of Medical Specialties or American Board of Family Medicine certification in Canadian jurisdictions.
If you are a U.S. physician or graduate and are interested in practising in Canada, the information here can help you understand the requirements across the country and identify the province or territory that best aligns with your qualifications, experience, and needs.
Creating a physiciansapply.ca account provides you with access to the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) services, such as having your international medical credentials verified. The first step for all pathways in Canada is usually source verification of credentials through physiciansapply.ca.
Each provincial or territorial medical regulatory authority has its own licensure requirements, and each ultimately grants the licence to practise medicine in their jurisdiction. Under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, a full licence in one jurisdiction would be transferrable to other provinces and territories.
Eligibility and selection requirements can change at any time and without notice. Always confirm requirements directly with your preferred provincial or territorial program.
If you are a U.S.-trained physician, certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), you can obtain full independent licensure in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island immediately, with no additional examinations or certification required.
In Ontario and in Newfoundland and Labrador, no additional examinations or certifications are required for this pathway if you are a U.S.-trained physician with ABMS or ABFM certification.
Ontario allows you to obtain a restricted independent practice licence limited to your specialty with an expiry period of five years. After five years of continuous practice in Ontario, you may apply for a full independent practice licence.
Newfoundland and Labrador allows you to obtain a provisional licence that requires oversight from a sponsor for the duration of the licence. After three years of practice in the province, you may apply for a full independent practice licence.
U.S. credentials generally qualify for approved jurisdiction routes at both the Royal College and CFPC.
You may qualify for this route to exam eligibility if you are a resident or trainee who has completed part or all your postgraduate medical training in the U.S. in a specialty training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Generally, if you are a U.S.-trained specialist and hold ABMS certification, you are eligible to take the Royal College specialty examinations. These are the steps to take for this route:
If you are a U.S.-trained family physician who holds ABFM certification, you are generally eligible for Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP) status without examination, as long as you don’t have a gap in clinical practice for more than 2 years, have an active licence in the U.S., and are in good standing. Here are the steps to take for certification:
If you have studied in the U.S. and are considering a residency in Canada, consult the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) for the requirements, which are changing in January 2026.
It is essential to hold a valid immigration status—such as a work permit, permanent resident status, or Canadian citizenship—to work in Canada. Most physicians apply through the Express Entry route or the Provincial Nominee Program.
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