Careers in Canada · Doctors
Licensing routes in Canada for GPs and specialists trained in the UK, Ireland and Australia
GPs with MRCGP, MICGP, FRACGP or FACRRM can be certified in Canada without sitting the family medicine exam, and in Ontario and British Columbia can apply for a licence without a period of supervision in eligible cases. Specialists follow a separate, longer route. We assess which applies to you and prepare the application with you.
6 questions, about 2 minutes
Free for doctors, nurses and vets.We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us.
Immigration advice is provided by Sana Waqar, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Sana Immigration Consulting, licence R707540 [VERIFY].
In summary
- Exams
- Most GPs with MRCGP, MICGP, FRACGP or FACRRM do not sit the CFPC exam. Specialists usually follow the Royal College route. [CFPC link]
- Supervision
- Ontario: GPs certified this way may start independent practice immediately. British Columbia: from 6 July 2026, eligible doctors can apply directly for a full licence. [CPSO, BC Gov News links · Last checked: Nov 2026] [VERIFY]
- Time
- CPSO reports registration takes an average of about three months once the application is complete. Credential verification and immigration add time before and after. [CPSO link] [VERIFY]
- Cost to you
- We do not charge you. Regulators, the CFPC and IRCC charge fees; many employers reimburse them.
Exams and certification
GPs with MRCGP, MICGP, FRACGP or FACRRM can usually obtain certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) through its approved-jurisdiction route, without sitting the CFPC exam. The provincial college then decides your licence. Specialists apply through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the route usually takes longer.
Edge cases: a CCT obtained more than five years ago, a career break, or a non-standard training route can lead some provinces to ask for more, including exams. We check this before you apply. [VERIFY]
Sources: CFPC · CPSO · BC Government · Last checked: [date]
Supervision on arrival, by province
| Province | GPs (MRCGP, MICGP, FRACGP, FACRRM) | Specialists |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Independent practice immediately, once CFPC-certified without examination [CPSO link] [VERIFY] | Usually a restricted, supervised certificate for up to 3 years under the Royal College Practice Eligibility Route [CPSO link] [VERIFY] |
| British Columbia | From 6 July 2026, eligible doctors can apply directly for a full licence; the BC Physician Integration Program is provided at no cost in the first year [BC Gov News link] [VERIFY] | [VERIFY] |
| Other provinces | Varies; we check for your case | Varies; we check for your case |
Last checked: [date]
The four routes compared
| Route | Who it is for | Supervision | Return-of-service commitment | Typical time | Regulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFPC approved-jurisdiction route | GPs with MRCGP, MICGP, FRACGP, FACRRM | Depends on province; none in Ontario in eligible cases | Not usually, unless attached to a role or incentive | [VERIFY] | CFPC + provincial college |
| Practice Ready Assessment (e.g. Practice Ready Ontario) | Family doctors trained outside approved jurisdictions | Supervised; restricted licence | Yes; in Ontario, a 3-year rural or northern commitment | 12-week field assessment, plus preparation [VERIFY] | Ontario Health, provincial college |
| Royal College specialist route | Specialists | Usually supervised at first | Depends on role | Longer than the GP route [VERIFY] | Royal College + provincial college |
| Residency | Doctors without full postgraduate certification | Training program | Varies | Years | CaRMS, provincial college |
The approved-jurisdiction route and Practice Ready Assessment are often confused. Most UK, Irish and Australian GPs are on the first. Last checked: [date]
Good to know
Requirements vary by province and specialty; we confirm your route before you apply.
Timeline and common delays
Most of the time goes on documents: verifying your degree and training, certification, the provincial licence and the work permit. Some steps can run in parallel. The usual delays are training reports from posts held years ago, slow replies from former employers, and documents that must be source-verified.
- 01
Documents
[VERIFY]Training reports, CCT and certificates of good standing. Slowed by posts held years ago.
- 02
Source verification
[VERIFY]Degree and training verified at source. Slowed by slow replies from former employers.
- 03
Certification
[VERIFY]CFPC or Royal College. Slowed by incomplete applications.
- 04
Licence
[VERIFY]Provincial college. CPSO reports about three months once complete.
- 05
Work permit
[VERIFY]IRCC, with advice from Sana Waqar, RCIC.
- 06
Start
[VERIFY]Your first shift, with our contact through the first months.
We'll send a checklist of documents after your licensing call.
Pay and overhead
Most family physicians in Canada bill the province and pay their clinic a share of billings for staff and premises, often 20 to 30 per cent [VERIFY: source]. Many are self-employed and pay for their own benefits and pension. Some provinces and practices pay a salary or a blended model instead, including Ontario's team-based models and BC's Longitudinal Family Physician payment model [links]. For each role you consider, we show gross figures and the figures after these costs. Speak to an accountant about incorporation.
[VERIFY: one sourced, dated median, e.g. Job Bank or CIHI, with link; otherwise omit the figure]
Fees you will pay along the way
We do not charge you. We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us. You will pay official fees, including credential verification, CFPC certification, your provincial licence and your work permit. Many employers reimburse some or all of these and contribute to relocation. We set out what each offer covers before you accept.
| Fee | Charged by | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFPC application | CFPC | CAD 533 (from 1 March 2026) [VERIFY] | [CFPC link] |
| CFPC certification | CFPC | CAD 3,518 (from 1 March 2026) [VERIFY] | [CFPC link] |
| Credential verification | physiciansapply.ca / MCC | [VERIFY] | [MCC link] |
| Provincial licence | Provincial college | [VERIFY by province] | [College link] |
| Work permit and biometrics | IRCC | [VERIFY] | [IRCC link] |
Choosing a province
The choice depends on your specialty, how you want to be paid and where you want to live. Fee-for-service suits some doctors. Ontario's family health teams are, for many UK GPs, the closest model to UK general practice. BC's Longitudinal Family Physician model pays for time and patient panel (your list) as well as visits. We compare the options for your case. [Province explainers to follow]
Rural and return-of-service commitments
Some programs and incentives require you to practise in a community for a set number of years. We tell you if a role carries a commitment before you apply.
Your partner and children
Spouses and common-law partners can often apply for an open work permit, and children can usually attend public school. If your partner is also a clinician, we assess both routes together. Sana Waqar, RCIC, advises on your family's immigration options. [VERIFY]
Immigration advice is provided by Sana Waqar, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Sana Immigration Consulting, licence R707540 [VERIFY].
Who this route usually suits
Usually a fit
- A CCT, or MRCGP, MICGP, FRACGP, FACRRM or a specialist fellowship
- CESR or Portfolio Pathway (assessed case by case)
- Registration in good standing with the GMC, IMC or Ahpra
- Clinical practice in the last 2 years
Not yet a fit
- Postgraduate training elsewhere without UK, Irish or Australian specialist or GP registration (other routes may exist)
- Still in training
Needs a private conversation
- Registration with conditions or undertakings: our licensing team discusses this with you in confidence, as the eligibility check does
Frequently asked questions
What is CMPA?
The Canadian Medical Protective Association provides medical liability protection, similar to your indemnity at home. Some provinces reimburse part of the cost. [VERIFY]
What happens to my GMC registration and NHS pension?
Many doctors keep their UK registration for a period. Check with the GMC and your pension scheme before deciding.
Can I visit before deciding?
Yes. Many doctors visit a clinic before accepting an offer, and we can arrange visits with employers.
My registration has conditions or undertakings. Can I still apply?
That needs a private conversation with our licensing team rather than a yes or no here. The eligibility check routes this answer to them, and it stays with that team.
What if the check says I'm not eligible yet?
We explain why and point you to the official sources for other routes.
Do I pay anything to Munro Banting?
No. Free for doctors, nurses and vets. We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us.
How to check us
- We never ask doctors for money.
- Immigration advice is provided by Sana Waqar, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), Sana Immigration Consulting, licence R707540 [VERIFY]. Check the CICC public register.
- Our application for an Ontario recruiter licence is in progress. We will publish the licence number here when it is issued. [OWNER: confirm status] [LEGAL]
- Munro Banting Inc., Oakville, Ontario. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer in Canada, report it to compliance@munrobanting.com.
Check whether a route fits your training
Free for doctors, nurses and vets.We're paid by the clinics and health organizations that hire through us.