The College welcomes applications from physicians who have obtained their medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools which includes the Canada sponsor note. International medical graduates (IMGs) are often registered in the provisional class as an interim step so that they can apply their knowledge and skill to the care of patients while under supervision. To advance to the full register, a registrant in the provisional class must complete Canadian qualifying exams or, s/he may be eligible to participate in a comprehensive workplace assessment within a specified period of time.
IMGs who are not eligible for full or provisional registration, but who wish to enter a postgraduate training program in British Columbia, may apply to be registered as a clinical trainee, which can improve the likelihood of acceptance into a Canadian residency program. This licence allows IMGs to obtain educational experience in Canada by permitting a registrant to observe and learn in a practice setting under another physician’s direct supervision, to a maximum of three years in total. Registrants in this class are not eligible for independent practice.
IMG family physicians who are initially screened by Health Match BC, based on established criteria, may qualify for selection in the province’s Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia (PRA-BC) program. Interested IMG family physicians should contact Health Match BC to discuss whether or not they are eligible to apply for entry into the PRA-BC program, and to learn more about the program’s screening and selection processes.
Class of registration
Provisional | Permits a registrant to practise medicine with limits and conditions granted by the Registration Committee. |
Assessment | Permits qualified and selected family physicians to participate in the Practice Ready Assessment – British Columbia (PRA-BC) program prior to being considered eligible for provisional registration. |
Registration is a multi-step process
Phase 1: Health Match BC and first part of online application
Phase 2: Eligibility review
Phase 2: Eligibility review
Phase 3: Removal of subjects and remainder of application
Phase 4: Receipt of secondary application
Phase 4: Receipt of secondary application
Phase 5: Processing the application
Phase 5: Processing the application
Phase 6: Verification and registration
Phase 6: Verification and registration
Phase 7: Monitoring
Phase 7: Monitoring