Physician
OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Who is the licensing body responsible for Physicians in Alberta?
- What assessment tools are available to help me determine my eligibility for registration?
- What is the role of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC)?
- Examination Information
- What resources are available to help me with exams?
- What are the educational requirements for Physicians in Alberta?
- What training programs or services are available for internationally educated Physicians?
- What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?
- What information resources are available for Physicians in Alberta?
Who is the licensing body responsible for Physicians in Alberta?
In Alberta, you must be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) to practice as a Physician. The CPSA is the licensing authority responsible for licensing all physicians, setting standards of medical practice in
What assessment tools are available to help me determine my eligibility for registration?
Applicants are encouraged to visit the CPSA website and undergo the online eligibility review. This is the best approach to determine whether applicants meet the criteria required by the CPSA. The review also determines what part of the Medical Register in Alberta the candidate may qualify for. For physicians who do not hold the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC), the following register may apply: Part 5 of the Special Register. – Provisional Practice. Upon completion of the online eligibility assessment, a candidate is given as series recommendations as to what they need to do next.What is the role of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC)?
The Medical Council of Canada is responsible for promoting a uniform standard of qualification to practice medicine for all physicians across
An IMG must have a valid pass standing on the MCC Evaluating Examination (MCC EE) as one of the eligibility criteria for the Qualifying Examination Part I. The exception is an IMG who is a specialist certified by a member board of the American Board of Medical Specialties may request an exemption from the MCCEE.
Examination Information
Medical Council of
The MCC EE is the primary exam an IMG must write. Success at this examination is one of the conditions required for entrance to the Qualifying Examinations except for graduates holding a diploma from a medical school accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education of the U.S.A.
All first-time MCC EE applicants are required to submit their credential and identity documents to the Physician Credentials Registry of Canada (PCRC) for review and approval, as a first step and prior to being eligible to apply for the MCCEE. Note: applicants must have documents translated and notarized. The Association of Translators and Interpreters of Alberta / Association provides translation services. Applicants are encouraged to be aware of: registration criteria, examination fees, registration deadlines and the turnaround time for exam results. Other costs may include preparation materials, travel etc. Recommended readings to prepare for the exam are available on the MCC website.
There is a time limitation of 30 months to obtain the LMCC for General Practitioners. Specialists are not required to do so. For family physicians: preference is given to those candidates with at least 24 months of approved training including a minimum of 8 weeks each of pediatrics, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, emergency medicine and 12 weeks of family medicine For specialists: preference is given to those candidates with a minimum of 48 months postgraduate training in the area of their specialty and specialty certification from their home jurisdiction.
Preliminary Assessment: prior to registration on the Special Register, the applicant must pass a preliminary assessment approved by the CPSA. These are typically arranged by the Alberta Health Services zone interested in recruiting the physician. The preliminary assessment occurs over a set period of time in which the physician’s medical knowledge is assessed to determine their preparedness to practice medicine in
MCC Qualifying Examination Part I
IMGs who intend to obtain the qualification of Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) and thus inscription in the Canadian Medical Register must write and pass MCC QE Part I. Applicants must hold a valid pass standing on the MCC Evaluating Examination (MCC EE) or have been granted an exemption from MCC EE based on American or Canadian Board Certification. Source verification of medical degree credentials must be in progress or completed as well as the application form found on the MCC website. Recommended readings to prepare for the exam are available on the MCC website. MCC Qualifying Examination Part II
The MCC QE Part II assesses the competence of candidates; specifically the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for medical licensure in Canada, following a minimum of 12 months of supervised postgraduate clinical medical training or postgraduate osteopathic clinical training. Recommended readings to prepare for the exam are available on the MCC website.
What resources are available to help me with exams?
STUDY GROUPS
Directions for Immigrants
Directions for Immigrants offers study groups for the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Qualifying Examination Part I, MCC Qualifying Examination Part II and the Provincial AIMG OSCE. The aim of the study groups is to facilitate focused learning and provide a learning environment in which Canadian medical content can be explored, discussed, and modeled with practicing Canadian physician educators and senior residents.
Visit the Study Groups page for more information on this service and eligibility criteria.
MCC Clinical Exam Preparation Weekend
http://www.vlibrary.ab.ca/cme/part_two_preparation_course.htmlThis Clinical Exam Preparation Course offered through the University of Calgary Office of Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development. This program is designed for physicians new to Canada who are preparing to take Part II of the MCC licensing exam.
Bredin Institute (Edmonton)
http://www.bredin.ab.ca/
Bredin Institute offers informational, learning, and other types of support for international medical graduates (IMGs). Currently, over 300 immigrant doctors from across the province are accessing Bredin Institute’s services which include: orientation for medical licensure in Alberta, lectures, workshops, seminars on various medical/clinical subjects, training activities for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, assistance with the preparation of medical CVs and personal statements and coaching for clinical employment/ residency interviews.
The majority of the services are offered at no cost to the IMGs registered with the Bredin Institute. Registration is open to the internationally-trained physicians who reside in Alberta and hold a status enabling them for employment in Canada.
What are the educational requirements for Physicians in Alberta?
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Note: Licensing bodies compare international education and experience to Canadian standards)Physicians must complete:
·
Pre-medicine studies at the university level.·
A Medical Doctor (MD) degree program at an approved North American medical school, or a school of medicine that is listed in the directory of the world health organization and has carried on a medical education program for more than 10 years and offers a medical training program of at least 48 months in duration.·
Post-graduate training in family medicine or another specialty.In Alberta, MD programs are offered by the following institutions.
· The University of Alberta in Edmonton
1.
Training for an additional two years to become a family physician.2.
Training for an additional five to seven years to become a specialist.Additional Occupational Information
For more information on occupational duties and wages, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service at
www.alis.gov.ab.ca and search for Physician under Occupational Information.What training programs or services are available for internationally educated Physicians?
Residency Training Program
The Alberta International Medical Graduate Program
University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine
http://www.aimg.ca/
Language Training Program
Medical Communication Assessment Program
University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine
http://www.m-cap.ca/
Clinical Opportunities for International Medical Graduates
Alberta Health Services
Edmonton Clinical Assistant Program
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services.asp?pid=service&rid=1040103
Alberta Health Services
http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/hp/if-hp-phys-recruit-CCAP-Program_Overview.pdf
Interpersonal Skills Training
Clear Communication for Health care Professionals http://www.directionsforimmigrants.ca/DirectionsforImmigrants-StudyGroups.htm
Developed for health care professionals, this facilitated study group will focus on the essence of effective communication in a health care setting. Learn more about Canadian workplace culture, developing effective listening skills and other techniques designed to help you succeed in the workplace.
What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?
Applicants must successfully achieve the required passing score on one of the CPSA approved English proficiency tests. This includes: Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) TOEFL, IELTS and CanTEST.To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.
What information resources are available for Physicians in Alberta?
EDinfo website: www.alis.alberta.ca/edinfo
Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) website: www.acfp.ca
Alberta Medical Association (AMA) website: www.albertadoctors.org
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) website: www.cpsa.ab.ca
Medical Council of Canada (MCC) website: www.mcc.ca
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) website: rcpsc.medical.org
