Health Workforce Planning Branch

• Licensing of Physicians
• Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and Physician Mobility
• Repatriation Program
• Re-Entry Program

Licensing of Physicians

The following organizations are involved with the licensing of physicians in Ontario and Canada:

• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)

The CPSO is responsible for registering all physicians practising in Ontario. The CPSO is a self-regulating body. However, international medical graduates looking for information on entering practice in Ontario should first contact the HealthForceOntario Access Centre for internationally educated health professionals.

• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)

The RCPSC oversees the medical education of specialists in Canada. The RCPSC accredits university programs that train resident physicians for their specialty practices.

• College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)

The CFPC oversees the medical education of family medicine in Canada. The CFPC accredits university programs that train resident physicians for family medicine.

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Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) and Physician Mobility

The AIT and the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 require Ontario to register regulated professions including physicians coming from elsewhere in Canada. When an applicant comes from another Canadian jurisdiction where certificates of registration exist that are similar to Ontario's, the CPSO is required to register that applicant to practise without any additional material education or training.

The CPSO has incorporated the AIT requirements into its registration policies and registration regulation.

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Repatriation Program

The Repatriation Program is a route into residency for qualified candidates who have completed postgraduate training outside of Canada but require up to two years of additional training to meet Canadian certification requirements. Please visit the Repatriation Program page for more information on application process and eligibility criteria.

Please note Repatriation Program participants are required to complete a Return of Service.

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Re-Entry Program

Through the Re-Entry Program, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care offers funding each year for physicians currently practising in Canada to re-enter postgraduate medical training.  Please visit the Re- Entry Program page for more information, including eligibility criteria and application form.

Please note that Re-entry Program participants are required to complete a Return of Service.

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