How to Become a Physician in Ontario
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to work as a physician in Ontario or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“Medical Graduates College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)”
From ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
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- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Licensed in another province: 4 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 5 done
- 5 steps without a listed fee
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You sign up for an account on the CPSO portal, which is used for the entire application process.
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You fill out the self-screening questionnaire to determine your eligibility, and if eligible an application form is generated or other instructions are provided.
Source
“2. Fill out the self-screening questionnaire to determine your eligibility for registration. If eligible, an application form will be generated or provide other instructions.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Apply-for-Registration -
You complete the online application form and submit any applicable payment, and you may submit it before uploading supporting documents.
Source
“3. Complete the online application form and submit payment (if applicable). \*Note you may submit the application form before uploading/arranging supporting documents.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Apply-for-Registration -
You request and upload supporting documents throughout the application process.
Source
“4. Request and upload supporting documents throughout the application process.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Apply-for-Registration -
You receive a portal message alert when your application has been assessed and the Schedule of Requirements is updated.
Source
“5. You will receive a portal message alert when your application has been assessed. At this time, the *Schedule of Requirements *will be updated.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Apply-for-Registration
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
5 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 4 done
- 4 steps without a listed fee
- Listed time: 0.1 months (only 1 of 4 steps state a time)
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You sign up for a CPSO Portal account.
Source
“1. Sign-up for a Portal account.”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab... -
You fill out the self-screening questionnaire to determine your eligibility, and if eligible an application form is generated with additional instructions.
Source
“2. Fill out the self-screening questionnaire to determine your eligibility for registration. If eligible, an application form will be generated with additional instruction.”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab... -
You submit an application confirming that you meet the eligibility criteria, are of good character and in good standing, and hold professional liability protection that extends to Ontario.
Source
“Submit an application confirming that they: - meet the required eligibility criteria; - are of good character and in good standing in the jurisdiction where they are licensed; and - hold professional liability protection that extends to Ontario.”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab... -
After all required materials are submitted, the College assesses the application and either registers you or refers you to the Registration Committee within two business days.
Time: 2 daysTime source
“Following the submission of all required application materials, the College will assess the application and either register the applicant or refer them to the Registration Committee within two business days.”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab...Source
“Following the submission of all required application materials, the College will assess the application and either register the applicant or refer them to the Registration Committee within two business days.”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
4 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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You review the registration requirements and the pathways available to internationally trained physicians.
Source
“1. Review the requirements - See the pathways above.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Internationally-Educated-Physicians -
You apply online through the CPSO portal.
Source
“2. Submit your application - Apply online through CPSO's streamlined portal.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Internationally-Educated-Physicians -
CPSO reviews your application in a timely manner so you can start practising as soon as possible.
Source
“3. Receive your licence - CPSO ensures a timely review so you can start practicing as soon as possible.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Internationally-Educated-Physicians
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
The first qualification for any class of certificate is a medical degree from either an accredited medical school or an acceptable unaccredited medical school.
Source
“The first qualification for any class of certificate is a medical degree. This can come from either an accredited medical school or an acceptable unaccredited medical school.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/RequirementsInternational medical graduates applying for a postgraduate education certificate must pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination or Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination.
Source
“International Medical Graduates are also required to pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (or Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination).”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/RequirementsApplicants for a temporary independent practice certificate must hold a full, unrestricted licence authorizing independent practice in a Canadian jurisdiction other than Ontario.
Source
“1. The applicant must hold a full, unrestricted licence or a certificate of practice authorizing independent practice in a Canadian jurisdiction other than Ontario”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Requirements
Experience
A physician is not eligible for a supervised short duration certificate if they have not engaged in clinical practice for the preceding two years or more, or have had a significantly reduced practice.
Source
“A physician is not eligible to apply for a supervised short duration certificate if they have not engaged in clinical practice for the preceding two years or more at the time of application, or have had a significantly reduced practice”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Requirements
Insurance
Automatic recognition applicants must hold professional liability protection that extends to Ontario.
Source
“- hold professional liability protection that extends to Ontario.”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab...
Good character
Applicants must be mentally competent, practise with decency, integrity and honesty in accordance with the law, have sufficient knowledge, skill and judgment, and communicate effectively with a professional attitude.
Source
“- is mentally competent to practise medicine; - will practise medicine with decency, integrity and honesty and in accordance with the law; - has sufficient knowledge, skill and judgment to engage in medical practice; and - can communicate effectively and will display an appropriately professional attitude.”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/RequirementsAutomatic recognition applicants must confirm they are of good character and in good standing in the jurisdiction where they are licensed.
Source
“- are of good character and in good standing in the jurisdiction where they are licensed; and”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab...
Other
To be eligible for automatic recognition, applicants must hold a current, full licence to practise medicine independently in another Canadian jurisdiction.
Source
“- Hold a current, full licence to practise medicine independently in another Canadian jurisdiction;”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab...
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Under the Automatic Recognition route effective January 1, 2026, qualified physicians holding an equivalent full licence in another Canadian jurisdiction can have their licence automatically recognized in Ontario without retaking entry-to-practice exams or a competence assessment. Source
“Effective January 1, 2026, this route allows qualified physicians holding an equivalent licence in another Canadian jurisdiction to have their licence “automatically” recognized in Ontario.”
cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Exams
-
Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination
Source
“International Medical Graduates are also required to pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (or Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination).”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Requirements -
Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination
Source
“International Medical Graduates are also required to pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (or Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination).”
cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/RequirementsWhich provinces ask for the Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $84,266 | $233,752 | $451,418 | Good (4 of 5) |
| Canada | $90,826 | $232,227 | $435,240 | — |
Physicians in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade ontario.ca/page/work-your-profession-or-trade
- CPSO - Apply for Registration cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Apply-for-Registration · fetched October 10, 2026
- CPSO - Automatic Recognition For Labour Mobility Applicants cpso.on.ca/en/Physicians/Registration/Automatic-Recognition-For-Lab... · fetched October 10, 2026
- CPSO - Information for Internationally Trained Physicians (ITPs) cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Internationally-Educated-Physicians · fetched October 10, 2026
- CPSO - Requirements cpso.on.ca/Physicians/Registration/Requirements · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a physician in Ontario?
Yes. Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is required to practise in Ontario.
Which exams are required?
Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination, Part 1 of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination.
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