March 2021 NAC exam application is now open!

We are pleased to inform you that application for the March 2021 National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) exam is now open and you can apply through your physiciansapply.ca account. You have until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time (ET) on December 4, 2020, to apply. For more information, please see the following web pages: NAC Examination, Application and eligibility, Centre selection and Withdraw.

As the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and abroad continues, our priority is to be mindful of the impacts of this virus on the medical community, and to ensure the safety of our candidates and all involved in our exams. We have worked collaboratively with stakeholders to make the changes necessary for the NAC exam to take place in March 2021.

For the upcoming session of the NAC exam, physical distancing and other personal protective measures, as per the guidelines set by local public health authorities, will be put in place at the available examination centres. For more information, please consult our Exam day page.

The NAC exam can be taken at any available examination centre and will be accepted by residency program directors regardless of where the exam took place. You do not have to take the exam in the province in which you will apply for residency.

Due to the current context, examination centres are subject to change. While we will make every effort to deliver the exam on the scheduled dates, we may need to cancel or change the date of the exam for reasons outside of our control. To ensure the safety of all exam participants, such cancellation or date change could happen at any time, up to and including the day of the exam.

To support valid interpretation and use of exam results without advantaging or disadvantaging candidates over time, total scores will not be reported. Candidates will receive a final result of fail, pass, or pass with superior performance. For more information, please consult our FAQs.

During the application process, you are strongly encouraged to select the closest exam centres and to be aware of the regions’ travel restrictions.