Best Practice & Why

Start with the CPSO Portal. All licenses for Ontario are issued through the CPSO’s own online portal and Self-Screening Questionnaire.

Use www.physiciansapply.ca in parallel if you’ll need MCC/RCPSC or other provinces. MCC Source Verifications (SVs) are required by the Royal College and many other regulators and can be the slowest step, so start them early if you plan to seek RCPSC certification or pan-Canadian mobility.

Family Physicians: CFPC

Once you receive a letter confirming that you are license eligible without examination, submit to CPSO to obtain a fully independent license.

If time is an issue, you can apply directly to the CPSO for a restricted license under pathway A.

Specialists: RCPSC

Assessment/exams rely on Medical Council of Canada, so you’ll need to register with physiciansapply.ca even if starting restricted but plan to gain RCPSC certification at a later date.

Tight start date? File CPSO now to receive a restricted license; upload SV confirmations as they arrive. Keeps license moving while verifying.

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

Summary of CPSO Pathways for US Physicians

  • US Pathway A – Board Certified For ABMS/AOA board‑certified physicians with ACGME residency. Restricted independent → independent after 5 years.
  • US Pathway C – Board Eligible For recent graduates (≤5 years). Requires board‑eligibility and USMLE. Restricted supervised for up to 3 years.
  • US Pathway B – 5+ Years Practice For physicians with ≥5 years independent practice. Requires qualifying exam. Supervised → restricted independent.
  • US CFPC Family Medicine – US family physicians with CFPC certification without exam. May obtain full independent license with MCCQE1/LMCC.

Summary of CPSO Pathways for Internationally Trained Physicians (ITP’s)

  • Internationally Trained CFPC Route International GPs eligible for CFPC certification without exam. Restricted independent or full independent with MCCQE1/LMCC.
  • Internationally Trained SEAP Route International specialists recognized by RCPSC through SEAP. Restricted independent certificate.
  • Internationally Trained PER Route International specialists entering RCPSC PER. Restricted supervised while completing RCPSC exams/time.
  • International Exam Eligible -For international physicians eligible for CFPC/RCPSC exams. Restricted supervised (≤3 yrs).
  • Practice Ready Ontario For select ITP’s GPs through 12‑week PRO assessment. Restricted certificate + return‑of‑service.