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Gerstein Science Information Centre

Medical Licensing Exams: Guides & Resources

Information and resources for Canadian and International medical students about medical licensing exam requirements in Canada and the United States.

MCC Exams

Overview

Medical Council of Canada

Provides Licentiate, a uniform qualification to practice medicine, recognized across Canada. The Medical Council of Canada grants a qualification in medicine known as the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) to graduate physicians who have satisfied the eligibility requirements and passed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Parts I and II. More about examinations here.

The Medical Council registers candidates who have been granted the LMCC in the Canadian Medical Register.

For eligibility to sit the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I, graduates of medical schools outside Canada and the United States, referred to on this site as International Medical Graduates (IMGs), as well as graduates from U.S. Schools of Osteopathic Medicine must first pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination. IMGs with specialty certification in Canada or the U.S. may be granted an exemption from the Evaluating Examination.

Evaluating Examination

The Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) is a four-hour, computer-based examination offered in both English and French at more than 500 centres in 80 countries worldwide. International medical graduates, international medical students in their final clinical year and U.S. osteopaths must take the MCCEE as a prerequisite for eligibility to the MCC Qualifying Examinations.

The MCCEE is a general assessment of the candidate's basic medical knowledge in the principal disciplines of medicine. It is also designed to assess the skills and knowledge required at the level of a new medical graduate who is about to enter the first year of supervised postgraduate training practice. More...

MCC Qualifying Examination Part I

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I) is a one-day, computer-based test that assesses the competence of candidates who have obtained their medical degree, for entry into supervised clinical practice in postgraduate training programs. The MCCQE Part I assesses knowledge, clinical skills, and attitudes as outlined by the Medical Council of Canada’s Objectives. More...

MCC Qualifying Examination Part II

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II is a three-hour Objective-Structured Clinical Examination that assesses the competence of candidates, specifically the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential for medical licensure in Canada prior to entry into independent clinical practice. More...

Practice Exams

RCPSC

Overview

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) 

The national examining and certifying body for medical specialists in Canada.

Credentials and Examinations: A credentials assessment is the first step towards taking the certification examinations. 

Step One: Assessment -Apply for assessment of training to receive examination eligibility

  1. Applying for a Preliminary Assessment of Training
  2. Applying for Evaluation of an Additional Specialty
  3. Application deadlines
  4. International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
  5. Policies and Procedures for Certification and Fellowship
  6. Practice Eligibility Route to Certification for Specialists (PER)

Step Two: Examination Registration - Complete and submit registration form to write the examination

  1. Instructions and General Information
  2. Fees and Deadlines to submit Registration Form
  3. Dates and Sites of Examinations (Spring) (Fall)
  4. Overview of Specialty Standards Suite
  5. Frequently asked questions

International Medical Graduates (IMG)

An international medical graduate (IMG) is defined as someone who has completed his/her postgraduate residency training outside of Canada or the United States.

To respond to societal needs and to address the shortage of specialist physicians in Canada, the Royal College has developed routes to certification so that qualified specialist physicians, including IMGs, can attain full Royal College certification.

Accredited Programs

The following provides a list of entry routes as well as the minimum length of training required for each discipline recognized by the Royal College. Accredited Programs

Routes to Certification

Additional Information

Click here to find out more information from the RCPSC website on examination guidelines for registered candidates and for information by speciality or subspecialty.

Additional Resources

Examples of types of written questions

Information About Short Answer Question Format

Information About Multiple Choice Question Format

Clinical Laboratory Test – Normal Values, provided to all candidates at the written examination

CFPC

Practice Exams

College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) 

The national examining and certifying body for family medicine practitioners in Canada.

The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) currently conducts the Certification Examination in Family Medicine twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. This examination is available in both official languages in multiple centres across Canada.

The CFPC also conducts the Examination of Special Competence in Emergency Medicine. This examination is available in both official languages and candidates can choose to sit part or all of the examination in either English or French. At present there is only one examination centre (Toronto) for all candidates.

For more exam infromation click here

Exam Info

CPSO

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)

About the College

Self-Regulation and the Practice of Medicine

Doctors in Ontario have been granted a degree of authority for self-regulation under provincial law. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is the body that regulates the practice of medicine to protect and serve the public interest.

This system of self-regulation is based on the premise that the College must act first and foremost in the interest of the public. All doctors in Ontario must be members of the College in order to practice medicine. The duties of the College include:

  • issuing certificates of registration to doctors to allow them to practice medicine
  • monitoring and maintaining standards of practice through peer assessment and remediation
  • investigating complaints about doctors on behalf of the public, and
  • conducting discipline hearings when doctors may have committed an act of professional misconduct or may be incompetent.

One of many important functions of the CPSO is Registration Physicians must be members of the College to practice medicine in Ontario. The College’s Registration Department handles all inquiries regarding the registration process.

International Medical Graduates

To practice medicine in Ontario, whether as a family practitioner or specialist, international medical graduates (IMGs) must have all the Canadian postgraduate qualifications required for an independent practice certificate. For information on qualifying for independent practice see Registration Requirements and specific information for international medical graduates is available. 

The College is committed to reducing barriers to registration for qualified candidates by finding new and creative ways to evaluate the competence and performance of physicians who wish to practice in Ontario. See Reducing Barriers to Practice.

More information can be accessed at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website here .

Additional Resources