How to Practice Family Medicine in Ontario, Canada – Part 1

Welcome to the first instalment of a step-by-step guide for General Practitioners looking to practice medicine in Canada. Moving to Canada to practise family medicine involves multiple steps, this guide outlines the process, starting with setting up a physicianapply.ca account and verifying your credentials.

Step 1: Create a PhysicianApply Account

The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) uses PhysicianApply as the central system for credential verification and licensing applications. To get started:

• Visit ca and create an account: This account is essential for storing and submitting all required documents for verification.
• Complete your profile with accurate personal and professional details.

• Cost: $328 CAD (one-time fee).

Step 2: Gather and Upload Required Documents

Once the account is set up, the next step is to upload the documents for the Source Verification Request (SVR). Each document must be submitted with a coversheet generated from the PhysicianApply portal. The required documents include:

1. 50x70mm Passport Photograph – Canadian passport size (available at local photo booths).
   2. Certified Identity Confirmation Form & Passport – Download from the portal, complete the details, and have it notarised by a lawyer or notary public (cost: ~£90).
   3. GMC Full Registration Licence/Certificate (+ coversheet, labelled “Licence”).
   4. CCT Certificate (+ coversheet, labelled “Specialty Certificate”).
   5. RCGP Certificate (+ coversheet, also labelled “Specialty Certificate”).
   6. Medical Degree or Diploma (+ coversheet).
   7. Change of Name Certificate (if applicable).
   8. GMC Certificate of Good Standing – Recommended to request later, as it is only valid for six months.

Step 3: Submitting Documents for Verification

• Combine each document with its coversheet before uploading.
• Email all documents to service@mcc.ca.
• SVR Cost: $228 CAD per document (except GMC Certificate of Good Standing, which costs $128 CAD).
• Some institutions take longer to verify documents—follow up if necessary.
• If an EPIC (ECFMG) verification of the medical degree was done for GMC registration, verification can be requested from EPIC instead of the medical school.

What’s Next?

Once document verification is complete, the next step is registering with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), which determines eligibility to practise without additional examinations.

Stay tuned for Part 2, which will cover CFPC registration and credential recognition.