By recognition of the equivalence of a M.D. degree

It is possible to obtain regular permit through recognition of the equivalence of a M.D. degree

In Quebec, under section 33 of the Medical Act, the issue of a permit to practice gives the applicant the right to practice medicine in the discipline concerned. The Regulation respecting the terms and conditions for the issuance of the permit and specialist’s certificates by the Collège des médecins du Québec sets out the requirements for the issue of permits and the rules governing access to the medical profession.

Regular permit to practice – By recognition of the equivalence of an M.D. degree

If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) and would like to apply for a regular permit to practice or complete a training program in Quebec, you must obtain recognition of the equivalence of your Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the Collège – See Step 1.

You have obtained recognition of the equivalence of your M.D. degree from the Collège: you may go on to Step 2 to continue.

Section 35 of the Charter of the French language stipulates that the professional orders shall not issue permits except to persons whose knowledge of the official language is appropriate to the practice of their profession.

Note that under section 37 of the Charter, a “temporary” permit may be issued. See Step 4.

To familiarize yourself with the Canadian requirements (CanMEDS roles), we encourage you to consult the Communication and Cultural Competence program under the ORIENTATION tab on the physiciansapply.ca site. Case studies give examples of everyday medical practice in Canada.

With respect to your immigration, please visit the following Websites:

Since every applicant completes the process at their own pace, the length of time it takes can vary.

Note that the CMQ does not intervene at all steps of the process.
The deadlines indicated at certain steps are given as an indication. They can vary significantly depending on the individual background of the candidates.

Steps

Step 1 – Obtain recognition of the equivalence of your M.D. degree

Step 2 – Complete a postgraduate training program

Step 3 – Pass the certification examinations: CFPC and Royal College

If you completed your postgraduate training program to the satisfaction of the faculty of medicine and the Collège, you must pass the certification examinations in family medicine of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) or, for the other specialties, those of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Royal College).

If you passed a Royal College subspecialty examination, you must also pass the basic specialty (primary specialty) examination to be certified by the Collège des médecins du Québec.

Specialties recognized in Quebec (in French)
Examinations (in French)

Step 4 – Satisfy the other requirements: LMCC, ALDO-Quebec, French language proficiency

LMCC – Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada
You must provide proof of your status as a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).
ALDO-Quebec educational activity
You must have participated in the ALDO-Quebec educational activity on the legal, ethical and organizational aspects of medical practice in Quebec.
French language proficiency
You must provide proof of French language proficiency (this link provides information about the examination, French courses and exemption criteria) or pass the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) examination.

In addition, under section 37 of the Charter of the French language a professional order may issue a temporary permit that is valid for one year to people from outside Quebec (M.D. from outside Quebec) who meet the requirements for the issuance of a regular permit to practice, but who do not have a working knowledge of French. This type of permit can be renewed subject to certain conditions.

Conditions for renewal of a temporary permit:

Information de l’OQLF destinée aux candidats détenant un permis temporaire

A temporary permit (s. 37 of the Charter) may be renewed three times with the OQLF’s authorization. An applicant may not apply for renewal unless they have taken the OQLF examination before their permit expires. In addition, the OQLF will give its authorization only if it considers it warranted by the public interest (letter of support from an employer in Quebec).

Once you have passed the French examination, you may apply to have the temporary permit converted to a regular permit by completing the online form Application to convert a temporary permit through the Collège’s transactional site and paying the required fee: please see the List of fees.

For information, write to: demandepermis@cmq.org.

Step 5 – Complete an application for medical registration

To submit an application for a regular permit to practice, from your personal account on the MCC’s physiciansapply.ca site, please select:

Application for medical registration
QC Collège des médecins du Québec
Regular permit – Ready to practice

To find out the application fees, please see the physicansapply.ca services section on the List of fees.

The Collège will issue a regular permit to practice and a specialist's certificate when you have;

passed the Royal College or CFPC certification examinations;
provided proof of your status as a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC);
participated in the ALDO-Quebec educational activity on the legal, ethical and organizational aspects of medical practice in Quebec;
provided proof of French language proficiency.

Please submit your application at least one month before the scheduled practice start date. If you wish to receive your permit between June 1 and August 31, you must submit your application no later than May 1.

For information, write to: demandepermis@cmq.org.

Lead times :

Acknowledgment of receipt of the application: 24 to 48 hours
Issuance of the permit within 24 to 48 hours when the file is complete (all the required conditions are met)

Step 6 – Register on the Roll of the Order: First registration

Once you have received your permit to practice and your specialist's certificate (if applicable), you must take out professional liability insuranceand complete your first registration on the Roll of the Order. To do so, you must complete the online form First registration on the Roll of the Order on the Collège's secure site.

The Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) will be informed that you have registered on the Roll of the Order and your practice start date will be the date that you registered on the Roll.

To contact the Roll of the Order, write to: tableau@cmq.org.

Lead times :

Processing of the first registration on the Roll of the Order and transmission to the RAMQ on the business day following receipt of the completed form.

For your RAMQ file, please consult this page for contact information

Route to medical practice in Quebec

Quebec medical graduate	International medical graduate – IMG
1. Medical degree	1. Recognition of the equivalence of an M.D. degree*
Duration : 4-5 years	2 examinations (MCCQE-I and NAC OSCE) or LMCC
M.D. degree from Québec	M.D. degree recognized by the Collège Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI)
	* Or repeat clerkship (2 years) or undergraduate medical program in QC (M.D. degree from Quebec)
2. Match – residency position	2. Match – residency position umelage
Postgraduate training	Postgraduate training (minimum 12 months)
Family medicine: 24 months Other specialties: 48 to 96 months	Family medicine: variable 12 to 24 months Other specialties: variable 12 to 48-96 months
Achievement of program objectives	Achievement of program objectives
Certificate of completion of training	Certificate of completion of training
3. Final examination	3. Final examination
CFPC / Royal College certification	CFPC / Royal College certification
4. Other requirements	4. Other requirements
LCMC / ALDO-Québec / OQLF	LCMC / ALDO-Québec / OQLF

Steps to practicing medicine in Quebec for IMGs

To practicing medicine in Quebec for IMGs :

Consult the steps

Statistics

Consult the statistics on International medical graduates (IMGs)

Consult the breakdown of physicians in Québec

Other physician profiles :

If you hold a regular permit to practice in Canada, with no restrictions or limitations, please consult the page Holder of a regular permit to practice in Canada – Accelerated application. (in French only)
If you are a clinician in active practice, please also consult the alternative route to practice: Restrictive permit MRA, clinician, sponsored professor – PRA.

Regular permit to practice – By recognition of the equivalence of an M.D. degree

Steps

Steps to practicing medicine in Quebec for IMGs

Statistics

Other physician profiles :

See also