After the MD Program

A Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree obtained in itself does not permit a graduate of the program to practice medicine in Canada. Read more about the next steps required for MD graduates on their journey to becoming an independently practicing physicians.

Physicians require a licence to practice in Canada. Information regarding the pathway to licensure can be found on the Medical Council of Canada website (external link) . Although provincial requirements may vary from province to province, the typical pathway includes:

• obtaining the MD;
• passing of the Medical College of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE1);
• completion of a recognized residency training program and specialty certification (e.g. Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or The College of Family Physicians Canada); and
• meeting applicable provincial requirements in order to obtain a certificate of registration, issued by the applicable provincial Medical Regulatory Authority (external link) .

The medical regulatory authority for Ontario is the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). Additional information on obtaining a certificate of registration can be found on the CPSO website (external link) .

All Canadian medical students/graduates must complete postgraduate medical education/residency training in order to be eligible for certification/licensure to practice medicine in Canada. Residency training leads to either specialty certification through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (external link)  (RCPSC) or family medicine certification through the College of Family Physicians of Canada (external link)  (CFPC).

Canadian residency training programs accept medical students/graduates into their respective programs through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (external link)  (CaRMS), which is a national, independent organization that provides application and match services to applicants, and faculties of medicine in Canada. Each year, CaRMS runs a match for entry-level postgraduate training positions (the R-1 Main Residency Match). They also offer a Medicine Subspecialty Match (MSM), and a Family Medicine / Enhanced Skills Match for those who are already completing residency and wish to further their training, or who may be required to complete subspeciality training as a certification requirement.

In order to apply for residency training in Canada, medical students/graduates must register in the applicable CaRMS match, meet basic match eligibility criteria, and also meet admission requirements as set out by each program/institution.

TMU MD students receive support, guidance, and career counselling in preparation for their participation in the CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match. TMU School of Medicine offers a wide range of residency programs that our medical students/graduates may apply to, and they will also be able to apply to other residency programs across the country.