IMG student looking to practice in Canada

[tn25]

I am an IMG from a Carib school and I had some questions about gaining residency and a license to practice in Canada. I'm Canadian, and right now after completing Steps 1 and 2 and clerkship I'm deciding if it's wise to try and return to Canada. From what I've read on other forums, it seems that there is a lot of red tape involved and more exams.

Aside from the USMLE exams we would be required to complete the Canadian exams as well. Also we have to do an extra year of residency in Canada. I'm not 100% on this, but this the information I found on various sites. If anyone can shed some light on this it would be greatly appreciated.

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[Giemsa]

I am an IMG from a Carib school and I had some questions about gaining residency and a license to practice in Canada. I'm Canadian, and right now after completing Steps 1 and 2 and clerkship I'm deciding if it's wise to try and return to Canada.

It is very hard to gain a residency spot through CaRMS. In general, the match rate for IMGs is around 20%. Canadian rotations and excellent LOR from Canadian program directors are paramount. For more information on eligibility, see:

http://carms.ca/eng/r1_eligibility_e.shtml
http://carms.ca/eng/r1_eligibility_prov_e.shtml

Another option is to try and return to Canada after completing residency in the US. Certification for specialties is handled through the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Long story short: if you did med school in Canada or the US, and successfully completed either an accredited Canadian residency program or an approved US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency program, they'll probably let you write the certification examinations - see http://www.royalcollege.ca/public/credentials/routes

If you're into family medicine, you may be able to get around the Canadian certification exams if you did an ACGME residency and passed the US family med boards - see http://www.cfpc.ca/RecognizedTraining/

Licensure to practice medicine is controlled by the individual provinces, and varies a fair bit. Most require you to have your LMCCs and Royal College exams. Google "College of Physicians and Surgeons of [province I'm interested in]".

 

[tn25]

Thanks for the tips and advice! I appreciate that you replied.