All physicians practicing medicine in Ontario will need to be licensed through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)

  1. The first step is to have your credentials verified through Physicians Apply, with the Medical Council of Canda. Route to Licensure | Medical Council of Canada (mcc.ca)
  2. Once you have received a letter of license eligibility from the Medical Council of Canada, you can create an account with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Physicians now have the option to apply for a restricted (but independent) license to practice through the CPSO without having to write the MCQEE 1 exam. If you are board certified in Ireland, United Kingdom, United States or Australia your qualifying exam is now recognized in Ontario.
  3. Members who successfully complete both an approved training program from outside of Canada and the Certification Examination (MCCQE1) in Family Medicine will be awarded Certification in Family Medicine and will be able to use the designation, Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP). Members with the CCFP Special Designation will be responsible for maintaining these credentials by maintaining valid membership and participating in the College’s Maintenance of Certification Program (Mainpro+®). Those that have chosen not to write the exam are still license eligible but cannot use the Special Designation CCFP.

The CPSO has created a streamlined pathway for physicians licensed in the United States.

** June 5th update – more information to come regarding US physicians working for up to 6 months in Ontario with a US license while awaiting their CPSO licensing to process.

CPSO offers different pathways to licensure, depending on your qualifications:

Pathway for Board-certified physicians – If you hold Board certification, you are eligible to practise independently without additional certification or examination.

Pathway for Board-eligible physicians – If you are eligible for Board certification and have completed a residency program accredited by the ACGME in the past five years, you are eligible to practise under supervision for up to 3 years while you complete your certification requirements.

Additional Pathway for family doctors wishing to obtain CFPC certification without exam

– Alternatively, if you hold Board certification, you may choose to seek CFPC certification without exam (as outlined above). You will then be eligible to practise independently in Ontario.

https://www.cpso.on.ca/en/physicians/registration/practising-in-ontario-information-for-u-s-trained