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Skills, Education and Experience

Skills

  • strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • strong analytical skills and a background in the sciences
  • energetic personality
  • patient, compassionate and enjoy helping people of all ages and backgrounds
  • willing to keep up-to-date with rapid changes in the field of health
  • decisive and able to work under stress

Education and Experience

  • A doctor of medicine degree (MD) is required, which takes four years of undergraduate studies, as well as four years of medical school
  • Two years of accredited residency training
  • Completion of the examinations of the Medical Council of Canada (National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination and MCC Qualifying Examination Part 1)
  • Completion of a national exam provided by the College of Family Physicians of Canada
  • Continuing medical education and professional development are required throughout your career

Qualifications

Physician is a regulated profession in British Columbia

Registration with the College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) is mandatory to work as a Physician in BC.

International Medical Graduates (IMG)

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia welcomes applications from physicians who have obtained their medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools which include the Canadian sponsor note.

International medical graduates (IMGs) are often registered in the provisional class as an interim step so that you can apply your knowledge and skill while under supervision. To advance to the full register, a registrant in the provisional class must complete Canadian qualifying exams or 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 observer which can improve the likelihood of acceptance into a Canadian residency program. This licence allows you to obtain educational experience in Canada by permitting you to observe and learn in a practice setting under another physician’s direct supervision. Registrants in this class are not eligible for independent practice.

IMGs whose postgraduate training was not obtained in a jurisdiction acceptable to the College of Family Physicians of Canada may apply to the assessment class. This 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.