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Physician

Health care Regulated profession

Medicine is regulated in BC by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). International medical graduates verify their credentials through the Medical Council of Canada's physiciansapply.ca and then apply for a CPSBC registration class that fits their training, such as the provisional class with a sponsor or the assessment class through Practice Ready Assessment BC for family physicians. The exact requirements depend on the class and on where postgraduate training was completed.

Regulator or certifying body
College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC)

Steps

  1. Open a physiciansapply.ca account and verify the medical degree

    Credential assessment Cost: CAD 150 account fee and CAD 232 per credential for source verification (MCC fees, as listed Sept 2026)

    The medical degree must be from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools with a Canadian sponsor note. Credentials are verified at source through the Medical Council of Canada's physiciansapply.ca service.

    Official source

  2. Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)

    Exam Cost: CAD 1,500 (MCC fee, as listed Sept 2026)

    The MCCQE is a one-day computer-based exam offered in Canada and in more than 70 countries. The MCC states it is required for international medical graduates applying to a Canadian residency program and is one criterion for the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada.

    Official source

  3. Meet CPSBC English language proficiency requirements

    Language

    CPSBC registration classes for international graduates require meeting its English language proficiency requirements. PRA-BC lists IELTS Academic 7 in each component, OET Medicine grade B in each component or CELPIP General 9 in each component.

    Official source

  4. Identify the CPSBC registration class that fits

    Other

    CPSBC lists several classes for international medical graduates, including provisional (practice with limits and conditions), assessment (through PRA-BC), associate physician (supervised, not independent practice) and clinical observer. Each class has its own training and eligibility criteria.

    Official source

  5. Family physicians: Practice Ready Assessment BC (assessment class)

    Work experience Time: 12-week clinical field assessment, then a 3-year return of service

    PRA-BC pre-screens internationally trained family physicians, who need two years of postgraduate training, two years of independent practice and recent clinical practice. Applicants do not apply to CPSBC directly for the assessment class. The clinical field assessment is 12 weeks and is followed by a three-year return of service in a BC community.

    Official source

  6. Provisional class: sponsorship and CPSBC application

    Registration Time: 6 to 8 weeks for the preliminary assessment decision; licence issued within three business days after approval

    A health authority or the UBC faculty of medicine provides a sponsorship letter naming an approved supervisor. CPSBC does a preliminary assessment, the Registration Committee reviews the file, and the licence is issued after final approval. The licence is renewed each year.

    Official source

Related jobs while you work toward your licence

  • Associate physician (a CPSBC registration class for supervised work in a health authority program; requires CPSBC registration and a health authority sponsor, but not a full licence)
  • Clinical observer (a CPSBC registration class for educational participation; requires CPSBC registration)

Official sources

Last reviewed: 2026-09-30

This page is a general guide, not official or legal advice. Rules, fees and timelines change. Always confirm with the official source before you pay or apply.