PassMCCQE
PassMCCQE › Pathway guide › The IMG pathway

The Canadian pathway for international medical graduates

When the MCCQE is held
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MCCQE sitting
Results (about 4–5 weeks later)
Four sessions a year in the MCC schedule we last reviewed. Seats are first come, first served: check the MCC's scheduling page for current dates.
1VerifyOpen a physiciansapply.ca account; the MCC source-verifies your degreeWeeks to months
2MCCQE230 MCQs · 2 × 160 min$1,500
3NACClinical-skills OSCE for residency readinessMost provinces require it
4CaRMSThe R-1 residency match, once a yearProvince rules vary
5ResidencyTraining ends with CFPC or Royal College certification
6LicenceIssued by your provincial or territorial regulatorLMCC is not a licence
Or: Practice-Ready AssessmentAbout 12 weeks of supervised assessment instead of residency, for experienced physicians
Most provinces ask you to pass each step before the next. Fees in CAD; only the MCCQE fee is listed here.

Residency route

  • MCCQE, then usually the NAC Examination
  • CaRMS R-1 match each year
  • Ends in CFPC or Royal College certification
  • Open to most IMGs

Practice-Ready Assessment

  • About 12 weeks of supervised assessment
  • Mostly family medicine
  • Return-of-service in an underserved area
  • For experienced practising physicians

What changed

  1. 2021The MCC stops delivering MCCQE Part II
  2. April 2025The clinical decision-making section is removed; the MCCQE is multiple-choice only, in a 6.5-hour appointment
  3. Jan 26, 2026The LMCC needs only an MCCQE pass and source-verified degree; no postgraduate-training requirement

Most international medical graduates go through the MCCQE, the NAC Examination and the CaRMS residency match to a provincial licence. Experienced physicians can take a Practice-Ready Assessment instead.

Last reviewed 2026-09-30

More detail

If you earned your medical degree outside Canada and the U.S., there are two main routes to practise in Canada: through a Canadian residency, or — if you are already an experienced practising physician — through a provincial Practice-Ready Assessment. The MCCQE sits near the start of both.

Step 1 — open a physiciansapply.ca account and verify your degree

The MCC's physiciansapply.ca portal is where you apply for MCC exams and have your medical credentials source-verified: the MCC asks your medical school to confirm your degree is authentic. Start early — depending on the school, verification can take several months.

Step 2 — pass the MCCQE

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (formerly MCCQE Part I) is a one-day computer-based exam of 230 multiple-choice questions, offered at Prometric centres in Canada and 70+ countries. Fee $1,500. It is required by most provinces for IMGs entering the residency match.

Step 3 — the NAC Examination (for the residency route)

The NAC Examination is the MCC's clinical-skills OSCE that assesses readiness for Canadian residency. Most provinces require it for IMGs applying through CaRMS. Check the MCC's NAC page and CaRMS's provincial criteria for the current requirements before you plan around it.

Step 4 — the CaRMS R-1 residency match

IMGs apply to first-year residency positions through CaRMS. Eligibility depends on the province: most require the MCCQE and the NAC, and some provinces have their own assessment first (for example British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec). Residency ends with specialty certification (CFPC or Royal College), then a full provincial licence.

Alternative — Practice-Ready Assessment (PRA)

If you completed postgraduate training and have practised independently abroad, provincial PRA programs offer about 12 weeks of supervised clinical assessment — mostly in family medicine — followed by a return-of-service commitment in an underserved area. Most PRA programs have their own exam requirements (commonly the MCC's Therapeutics Decision-Making exam); check the program in your target province.

The LMCC

The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada is part of the qualification for full licensure. Since January 26, 2026, per the MCC, you are eligible once you have passed the MCCQE and your medical degree has been source-verified — the old 12-month postgraduate-training requirement was removed, and the digital LMCC is issued without an admin fee. The LMCC is not a licence to practise: only the provincial and territorial regulators issue those.

Start with the MCCQE

Practise original MCCQE-style questions in every discipline, and see where you stand.

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Free demo exam across every discipline — no sign-up. Full bank from $49 CAD, one time.

What changed recently

See also: costs and a realistic timeline.

Frequently asked questions

What exams does an international medical graduate need to practise in Canada?

For the residency route, most provinces require the MCCQE and the NAC Examination before the CaRMS match, then specialty certification during residency. Experienced physicians may instead go through a provincial Practice-Ready Assessment, which has its own requirements. Always check the province you are targeting.

Is there still an MCCQE Part II?

No. The MCC stopped delivering the MCCQE Part II in 2021, and the former MCCQE Part I is now simply called the MCCQE.

Is the LMCC a licence to practise medicine?

No. The LMCC is a qualification the MCC issues; licences are issued only by provincial and territorial medical regulatory authorities. Since January 26, 2026, LMCC eligibility requires an MCCQE pass and a source-verified medical degree.

Sources