Return to Practice

A registrant who has been absent from clinical practice for a period of three years or more must notify the College in writing prior to his/her proposed return to practice. A registrant may also be required to undergo a review of skill, knowledge and competency, and may possibly have to retrain in certain areas, prior to his/her return.

Questions and Answers - Return to Practice

I am a registrant of the College and have been practising medicine in another jurisdiction for an extended period of time. What do I need to do prior to beginning practice?

Please contact the registration department to inform of your intent to return to practice in BC. The following are requirements based on the duration of your absence.

If you have been out of the province for up to 12 months, you are required to:

  • complete an application for registration form
  • provide a Certificate(s) of Professional Conduct from the jurisdiction(s) where you practised during your absence from BC (these must be sent directly to the College), and
  • update your current BC address information, which you can do by logging in to your profile on the College website.
  • Note: You may be required to submit original Canadian-notarized copies of your valid Canadian passport, or valid Canadian permanent resident card and valid Canadian driver's licence.

If you have been out of the province for one to three years, you are required to:

  • complete an application for registration form
  • provide a Certificate(s) of Professional Conduct from the jurisdiction(s) where you practised during your absence from BC (these must be sent directly to the College),
  • provide one reference on the prescribed form, and
  • update your current BC address information, which you can do by logging in to your profile on the College website.
  • Note: You may be required to submit original Canadian-notarized copies of your valid Canadian passport, or valid Canadian permanent resident card and valid Canadian driver's licence.

If you have been out of the province for more than three years, you are required to:

  • complete an application for registration form
  • provide a Certificate(s) of Professional Conduct from the jurisdiction(s) where you practised during your absence from BC (these must be sent directly to the College),
  • provide three references on the prescribed form, and
  • update your current BC address information, which you can do by logging in to your profile on the College website.
  • Note: You may be required to submit original Canadian-notarized copies of your valid Canadian passport, or valid Canadian permanent resident card and valid Canadian driver's licence.

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Note: Registrants who have not returned to practise in BC since June 1, 2009, may be required to attend the College for an interview to discuss currency of practice, scope of practice and/or limitations on practice, and compliance with the continuing medical education requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

I am a registrant of the College but have not been practising medicine in BC or any other jurisdiction for an extended period of time. What do I need to do prior to beginning practice again?

Please refer to the detailed list of requirements which must be fulfilled as described under section 2-8 of the Bylaws under the Health Professions Act, RSBC 1996, c.183.

I resigned from the College some time ago but I would like to re-apply. What do I need to do?

You are required to complete the application process again, which includes:

  • completing an application for registration form, and
  • providing references, and
  • providing a certificate(s) of professional conduct from the jurisdiction(s) where you trained or practised during your absence from BC, and
  • providing consent for a criminal record check.

If your credentials have been previously verified by the College, the original documents may not be required. If you have obtained additional qualifications during your absence from BC, such as a diploma, you must submit original Canadian-notarized copies unless the documents have been verified by the Physicians Credentials Registry of Canada.

I was previously registered with the College and will be returning to provide a locum in BC. What do I need to do?

If you have not practised in BC during the last 12 months, you must submit:

  • an update on your personal information (complete pages 1 and 3 of application for registration form)
  • one letter of reference on the prescribed form
  • a certificate of professional conduct from each jurisdiction where you have trained or practised since last practising in BC
  • applicable registration fees
  • consent for a criminal record check
  • Note: You may be required to submit original Canadian-notarized copies of our valid Canadian passport, or valid Canadian permanent resident card and valid Canadian driver's licence.

If you have not practised in BC for a period of three years, you must submit:

  • a completed application for registration form
  • two letters of reference on prescribed forms
  • a certificate of professional conduct from each jurisdiction where you have trained or practised since last practising in BC
  • a re-registration fee as applicable
  • an interview with a member of the registrar staff
  • applicable registration fees
  • Note: You may be required to submit original Canadian-notarized copies of our valid Canadian passport, or valid Canadian permanent resident card and valid Canadian driver's licence.

Note: If you are a monthly locum who is returning, you may be required to complete the Annual Licence Renewal Form.