This section of the web site provides an
overview of your situation in Canada as an International Medical Graduate (IMG).
Immigration Categories
Your Medical Education and Training Background
Getting Ready for Licensure
Self-Assessment of Your Training/Experience
The term International
Medical Graduate (IMG) can refer to physicians who have a wide range of backgrounds.
For example, an IMG may:
- have several years of independent practice experience in
his/her country
- have just recently completed medical school
- have completed a residency training program
- have gone directly into practice with no requirement for a
residency
- be from a country with a medical education system similar to
Canada
- be from a country whose medical education system is very
different from Canada.
Prior to commencing the licensure process in Canada, all
International Medical Graduates will need to assess their circumstances and consider the
following:
- there is no guarantee of obtaining a license to practice in
Canada
- the licensure process has many stages and can seem complex
to those not familiar with the Canadian approach
- there are differences in the registration processes between
provinces and territories
- there is a significant financial and personal commitment
required to pursue licensure.
Depending on the province/territory, licensure may involve:
- a series of exams (eligibility, program selection,
qualifying, certification)
- language proficiency tests
- credentialing
- postgraduate training/assessment
- return-of-service agreements (practicing in a underserviced
community for an agreed upon period of time)
See the overview chart Registration to Practice Medicine in Canada for a general overview of
the licensure steps.
|
