News
Since our last update in November 2025, we have continued to advance key initiatives aligned with our 2024–2027 strategic plan, with a focus on modernizing licensure pathways, enhancing the candidate experience, and supporting health human resource priorities across Canada. Through expanded partnerships, modernization efforts, and collaboration across jurisdictions, the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) is committed to supporting candidates, regulators, and Canada’s evolving health-care system.
The MCC continues to serve provincial Practice-Ready Assessment (PRA) programs as they assess and integrate internationally trained physicians (ITPs) into the Canadian health care system. Recent efforts include the launch of the National PRA Assessor Grand Rounds series, which brings assessors together to learn, share experiences, and promote consistency across programs. The MCC is also updating and expanding assessor training resources and online learning tools to ensure they remain current, relevant, and responsive to evolving program needs. In collaboration with PRA programs, the MCC has also launched a national, multi-year longitudinal study examining the outcomes and practice trajectories of physicians following their participation in PRA programs.
Interest in the MCC’s workplace-based assessment (WBA) offerings continues to grow. An approach used to assess physicians in authentic clinical settings as they provide care to patients, WBA complements more traditional, point-in-time evaluation methods, like written and simulated examinations. Assessors observe candidates as they work, gathering direct and indirect observations over time. Under the leadership of Dr. Jason Frank, director of Competency-Based Assessment, we are enhancing our assessor training program with the development of online learning modules and instructor-led training, supported by three new expert clinician educators. More than 60 physician assessors received training in the first half of 2026, with more training planned for across Canada in the months to come. MCC’s WBA approach is now being utilized by PRA programs in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba, with pilot initiatives underway in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Additional exploratory work is also underway to develop assessment frameworks for clinical associates.
The MCC continues to assist international medical graduates (IMGs) and internationally trained physicians (ITPs) to ready for their pathways to licensure in Canada. We see strong uptake of our webinars, with high engagement from audiences around the world. Our most recent session, held in February, focused on cultural, ethical, and professional obligations for practising in Canada.
In April, we released Study smarter: A study guide for the MCCQE, in collaboration with Dr. Filipe Santos. The MCC also released two explainer videos and three sample cases for candidates preparing for the NAC Examination. These new resources are all available for free and reflect the MCC’s ongoing commitment to supporting assessment candidates with practical tools.
The MCC hosted a gathering of the IMG Alliance in May with a goal of identifying priorities as the group aims to advise on current initiatives and support the advancement of IMGs to active practice in Canada. Finally, with support from Health Canada, we also continue to explore offering more personalized guidance for ITPs navigating the pathway to licensure and will be participating in the IMG Conference and Expo in Toronto from June 19-21, 2026.
Collaboration is central to MCC’s work as we engage with organizations focused on licensure modernization, assessment innovation, and ethical workforce mobility. In February, the MCC, together with other health care organizations, signed a formalized partnership memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Circle for Indigenous Medical Education (NCIME). The partnership marks an important step in guiding MCC’s approach to reconciliation in assessment, education, and standards development.
In January, we introduced a more streamlined pathway for earning the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC), eliminating the required 12 months of postgraduate training to qualify. The change makes it possible for candidates to obtain their LMCC earlier in their medical career, after passing the MCCQE and the successful source verification of their medical degree. We also transitioned to issuing the LMCC digitally, reducing administrative burden, shortening timelines, and lowering fees.
Demand for MCC examinations remained very high in the first half of the year. In other exam news, in April, the examination known as the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I) was formally renamed as the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE). The change aligns with the ongoing evolution of the MCC assessment framework. Work to adopt new and more self-explanatory names for the other MCC examinations is ongoing, with future implementation planned.
The MCC has awarded a research grant to the Wilson Centre to explore the use of AI-enabled virtual patients in clinical assessment. Led by researchers from the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, the project will develop and evaluate virtual patient encounters that simulate the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format. Conducted in collaboration with the MCC and risr, the research aims to improve assessment scalability, consistency, and feedback while supporting future innovations in medical training and evaluation.
Dr. Sarita Verma was appointed to the role of interim chief medical officer (CMO) for a nine-month term beginning April 1. Previously serving as executive advisor to the CEO, Dr. Verma will help advance the MCC’s strategic priorities, including assessment modernization, collaboration with medical regulators, and leadership development. An internationally recognized leader in medical education, she brings extensive experience in academic medicine, physician training, and health system leadership.