Alberta Medical Practice Permit

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• Application time

  There is a multi-phase process leading to licensure in Alberta. All steps must be completed. Please allow adequate time for this process to occur before your practice permit is needed.

  • Physicians with Canadian credentials (LMCC and CCFP or FRCP/S(C) ): allow at least 90 days.
  • Physicians with international credentials (no LMCC and no CCFP or FRCP/S(C) ): allow at least 180 days, and longer if there are immigration and/or work permit requirements to be met.

• Steps to obtain an Alberta Medical Practice Permit

  • Interested candidates complete the online Eligibility Review form. (Note: Eligibility review is NOT an application. It is a pre-screening process to determine if individuals are eligible to apply for an Alberta medical practice permit. Only if the requirements of an eligibility review are met will an application form for licensure be issued.)
  • Form reviewed by College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta. Application and detailed instruction letter sent to eligible candidates.
  • Eligible candidates complete the application form, other required forms, and arrange for all required documentation to be sent to the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta.
  • Once all required forms and documentation are received, the file is reviewed to determine whether the candidate qualifies for a practice permit.
  • Qualified candidates receive instructions to complete the eAppointment process (Electronic Appointment).
  • Registration details are updated, and practice permit is issued. 

• Credential verification

  International medical graduate applicants must provide credential verification through the Physician Credential Registry of Canada (PCRC). Candidates are recommended to start the credential verification process immediately after receiving written confirmation of their eligibility to apply for a practice permit.

  • More Information about PCRC & Application for Credential Verification

Family Medicine or General Practice

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• Unrestricted practice permit (General Register)

  Standard Route:  Candidates must have:

  • Evidence of English language proficiency,
  • An acceptable medical or osteopathic degree and the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC),
  • Successful completion of a Family Medicine residency in Canada, or of a postgraduate program of medical training outside of Canada of at least 24 months duration containing a minimum of eight weeks each of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Surgery, Internal Medicine, and 8 months of community-based primary care, and
  • Certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP). 

  Substantial Equivalency Route:

  • Evidence of English language proficiency, and
  • Six years of continuous independent conditional practice in Alberta on the Provisional Register, adherence to all conditions of provisional registration to the satisfaction of the Registrar, and in good standing, or
  • Less than six years of independent conditional practice in Alberta on the Provisional Register with the attainment of the LMCC and certification by the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP).
     
    

    Start the eligibility review process or for more information email registration@cpsa.ab.ca

• Conditional practice permit (Provisional Register Conditional Practice)

  Candidates must have:

  • Evidence of English language proficiency,
  • An acceptable medical or osteopathic degree, and
  • One of:
    • Successful completion of a postgraduate program of Family Medicine training in Canada, one of LMCC or CCFP, and Part B of the assessment process; 
      or
    • Successful completion of a postgraduate program of medical training* of at least 24 months duration outside of Canada containing 4 months of community-based primary care; a minimum of eight weeks each of three of the following:  Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Surgery, and Internal Medicine; the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE), and Part A and Part B of the assessment process satisfactory to the Registrar.     

  *Please note: Community Service, Public Service, National Service, Medical Officer posts, and practice experience do not satisfy the postgraduate training requirement.

  Conditions placed on the Provisional Register Conditional Practice Permit may include, but not be limited to: Successful completion of a period of supervised integration into practice satisfactory to the Registrar Scope of practice conditions or restrictions Participation in a physician mentorship program approved by the Registrar Peer review Other conditions as may be deemed necessary by the Registrar

   

  Start the eligibility review process or for more information email registration@cpsa.ab.ca

Specialty Practice

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• Unrestricted practice permit (General Register)

  Standard Route:  Candidates must have:

  • Evidence of English language proficiency,
  • An acceptable medical or osteopathic degree,
  • The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC),
  • Successful completion of a specialty residency programme in Canada or a postgraduate programme of specialty training outside of Canada of at least 48 months, and
  • Certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCP or FRCS).

  Substantial Equivalency Route:

  • Evidence of English language proficiency,
  • Six years of continuous independent conditional practice in Alberta on the Provisional Register, adherence to all conditions of provisional registration to the satisfaction of the Registrar, and in good standing, or
  • Less than six years of independent conditional practice in Alberta on the Provisional Register with the attainment of the LMCC and certification by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCP or FRCS). 
     
    

    Start the eligibility review process or for more information email registration@cpsa.ab.ca

• Conditional practice permit (Provisional Register Conditional Practice)

  Candidates must have:

  • Evidence of English language proficiency, 
  • Acceptable medical or osteopathic degree,
  • One of:
    • Successful completion of postgraduate specialty training in Canada, LMCC or certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (FRCP, FRCS), and Part B of the assessment process, 
      or
    • At least 48 months postgraduate specialty training obtained outside of Canada, specialty certification and recognition in the discipline of training by another medical regulatory authority, and successful completion of Part A and Part B of the assessment process satisfactory to the Registrar, 
      

      As of March 1, 2011, successful completion of the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) is required. Please note the Medical Council of Canada exempts holders of a Canadian or US medical degree from writing the evaluating examination.

      or 
    • At least 36 months postgraduate specialty training obtained outside Canada, specialty certification and recognition in the discipline of training by another medical regulatory authority, and successful completion of Part A and Part B of the assessment process satisfactory to the Registrar. (Candidate may not be eligible for specialist recognition in Alberta)
      

      As of March 1, 2011, successful completion of the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) is required. Please note the Medical Council of Canada exempts holders of a Canadian or US medical degree from writing the evaluating examination.

  Conditions placed on the Provisional Register Conditional Practice Permit may include, but not be limited to: Successful completion of a period of supervised integration into practice satisfactory to the Registrar Restriction to non-specialist status Scope of practice conditions or restrictions Participation in a physician mentorship program approved by the Registrar Peer review Other conditions as may be deemed necessary by the Registrar

   
  

  Start the eligibility review process or for more information email registration@cpsa.ab.ca