How to Become a Physician in Quebec
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with Collège des médecins du Québec to work as a physician in Quebec or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“The restrictive permit for physicians trained and certified in the United States to practice medicine in Québec is intended for physicians currently in active practice.”
From cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r..., checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 5 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
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
-
You must hold a doctor of medicine degree issued in Quebec, Canada or the United States by an accredited school of medicine.
Source
“Vous devez détenir un diplôme de docteur en médecine délivré au Québec, au Canada ou aux États-Unis : - par une école de médecine agréée par le Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME);”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm... -
You must have completed postgraduate training in family medicine or another specialty in Quebec, Canada or the United States in an accredited program.
Source
“une formation postdoctorale en médecine de famille (24 mois) ou dans l’une des 59 autres spécialités (48 à 96 mois) au Québec, et satisfaire à l'ensemble des conditions requises;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm... -
You must pass the specialty examinations of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the American Board of Family Medicine, or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada depending on your specialty.
Source
“vous devez réussir les examens de spécialité en médecine de famille du Collège des médecins de famille du Canada (CMFC) ou de l’American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). Pour les autres spécialités, vous devez réussir les examens du Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada (Collège royal).”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm... -
You must provide proof of LCMC status, complete the ALDO-Québec educational activity, and demonstrate knowledge of French.
Source
“### Étape 4 – Satisfaire aux autres conditions : LCMC, ALDO-Québec, connaissance du français”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm... -
You must register on the roll of the order as a first registration.
Source
“### Étape 6 – S’inscrire au tableau de l’ordre : première inscription”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
5 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
- Listed time: 3.8 to 6.6 months (only 2 of 3 steps state a time)
-
The Committee on Admission to Practice reviews your complete file, including whether you have proven knowledge of French or attempted the OQLF exam.
Time: 3 to 5 monthsTime source
“Given the length of the process (3 to 5 months on average) and the requirement to maintain your clinical experience, we encourage you to keep practicing as you complete the steps.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...Source
“Step 2 – Review of the complete file by the Committee on Admission to Practice (CAP)”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... -
After the CAP decides to issue the permit, you must complete the ALDO-Québec activity, fill out the update of medical activities form, and pay the permit issuance fees.
Time: 24 to 48 daysTime source
“Issuance of the permit within 24h to 48h once the file is complete (i.e., when all required conditions are met).”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...Source
“complete the ALDO-Québec educational activity which covers the legal, ethical, and organizational aspects of the practice of medicine in Québec, before the restrictive permit is issued;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... -
Before starting practice you must take out professional liability insurance and fill out the first registration on the roll form.
Source
“Once you have received your permit to practice, and before you start practicing medicine in Québec, you must: - take out professional liability insurance (and maintain it thereafter); - fill out the “First registration on the Roll of the Order” form in the secure section of the CMQ website.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Application for medical registration fee: $900
Source
“$900; visit their Fee structure page for more information”
mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/application-f...
Requirements
Education
You must hold a Doctor of Medicine degree or equivalent from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools or from a school accredited by the LCME or the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada.
Source
“You have a Doctor of Medicine degree or an equivalent degree from a school or faculty listed in the *World Directory of* Medical Schools published by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) or from a faculty of medicine of that university is accredited by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada or the Liaison Committee on Medical Education on the date the diploma is granted;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...You must have completed postgraduate training accredited by the ACGME that is roughly equivalent to that required in Quebec for the discipline.
Source
“You have completed postgraduate training in a university postgraduate training in medicine accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education that is roughly equivalent to that required in Québec for the discipline for which the restrictive permit application is being submitted;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the sponsored professor route, you must hold a medical degree from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
Source
“Vous êtes titulaire d’un diplôme en médecine ou d’un diplôme équivalent délivré par une école ou une faculté figurant au répertoire de *World Directory of Medical Schools* publié par la Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER).”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the sponsored professor route, you must hold postdoctoral training globally equivalent to that required in Quebec.
Source
“Vous détenez une formation postdoctorale globalement équivalente à celle requise au Québec dans la discipline visée par le permis restrictif demandé;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the PRA clinician route, you must have passed one of the required exams: EECMC, EACMC, or USMLE/Step 2 CK.
Source
“Vous avez réussi un des examens requis : EECMC ou EACMC ou USMLE/Step 2 CK;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the PRA clinician route, you must hold postdoctoral training globally equivalent to that required in Quebec for the specialty.
Source
“Vous détenez une formation postdoctorale globalement équivalente à celle requise au Québec pour la spécialité visée par le permis restrictif demandé;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the Quebec-France MRA route, you must hold a state doctor of medicine diploma from a French medical faculty.
Source
“Vous êtes titulaire d’un diplôme d’État de docteure ou docteur en médecine délivré par une faculté de médecine établie et dispensant sa formation en France;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the Quebec-France MRA route, you must have completed your postgraduate training in a French university establishment in one of the specialties covered by the agreement.
Source
“Vous avez complété votre formation postdoctorale (résidanat/internat) dans un établissement universitaire français dans l’une des spécialités prévues à l’entente;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...
Experience
You must have practiced competently in the relevant area for 12 months during the 3 years preceding your application.
Source
“You practiced competently in the area of medical expertise for which the restrictive permit application is being submitted for 12 months during the 3 years preceding your application;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the sponsored professor route, you must have practiced competently for 12 months during the 3 years preceding your application.
Source
“Vous avez exercé avec compétence pendant 12 mois au cours des 3 dernières années précédant votre demande, dans le champ d’activités médicales visé par le permis restrictif demandé;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the PRA clinician route, you must have practiced competently for 12 months during the 3 years preceding your application.
Source
“Vous avez exercé avec compétence pendant 12 mois au cours des 3 dernières années précédant votre demande, dans le champ d’activités médicales visé par le permis restrictif demandé;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the Quebec-France MRA route, you must have practiced competently for 12 months during the 2 years preceding your application.
Source
“Vous avez exercé avec compétence pendant 12 mois au cours des 2 dernières années précédant votre demande dans le champ d’activités médicales visé par le permis restrictif demandé;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...
Residency
To be eligible for the regular quota for postgraduate training in Quebec, you must meet the definition of resident in Quebec.
Source
“In addition, to be eligible into the regular quota, the Québec government requires that you respect the definition of resident in Québec of the ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur.”
mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/carms-and-mcc...
Other
You must have passed the three components of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
Source
“You have passed the 3 components of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE);”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...You must hold a certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties in the discipline.
Source
“You hold a certification from the American Board of Medical Specialites in the discipline for which the restrictive permit application is being submitted;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...You must provide proof of French language proficiency or have taken the OQLF examination before the permit is issued.
Source
“You provided proof of French language proficiency or have taken the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) examination before your permit is issued;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...You must complete the ALDO-Québec educational activity before the permit is issued.
Source
“You completed the ALDO-Québec educational activity before your permit was issued.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the sponsored professor route, you must hold a specialist certificate or equivalent title in the discipline.
Source
“Vous êtes titulaire d’un certificat de spécialiste (ou titre équivalent) dans la discipline visée par le permis demandé;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the sponsored professor route, you must provide proof of French knowledge or have attempted the OQLF exam before the permit is issued.
Source
“Vous avez fourni la preuve de la connaissance du français ou vous avez tenté l’examen de l’ Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) avant la délivrance de votre permis;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the sponsored professor route, you must have participated in the ALDO-Québec educational activity before the permit is issued.
Source
“Vous avez participé à l’activité de formation ALDO-Québec avant la délivrance de votre permis.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the PRA clinician route, you must hold a specialist certificate or equivalent title in the discipline.
Source
“Vous êtes titulaire d’un certificat de spécialiste (ou titre équivalent) dans la discipline visée par le permis restrictif demandé;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the PRA clinician route, you must have provided proof of French knowledge or passed the OQLF exam.
Source
“Vous avez fourni la preuve de la connaissance du français ou vous avez réussi l’examen de l’Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF);”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the PRA clinician route, you must have passed an assessment internship.
Source
“Vous avez réussi un stage d’évaluation;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the PRA clinician route, you must have participated in the ALDO-Québec educational activity before the permit is issued.
Source
“Vous avez participé à l’activité de formation ALDO-Québec avant la délivrance de votre permis.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the Quebec-France MRA route, you must hold a specialist certificate issued by a French university in one of the agreed specialties.
Source
“Vous êtes titulaire d’un certificat de spécialiste (ou titre équivalent\*) délivré par une université française dans l'une des spécialités prévues à l’entente;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the Quebec-France MRA route, you must be a member in good standing of the French National Council of the Order of Physicians without restrictions on practice.
Source
“Vous êtes membre en règle du Conseil national de l’Ordre des médecins en France, inscrit au tableau de l’Ordre des médecins en France en qualité de médecin généraliste ou de spécialiste, sans restriction ni limitation d’exercice découlant d’une mesure administrative, d’un engagement volontaire ou d’une décision disciplinaire ou pénale.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the Quebec-France MRA route, you must have passed an evaluative adaptation internship.
Source
“Vous avez réussi un stage d’adaptation à caractère évaluatif;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the Quebec-France MRA route, you must have participated in the ALDO-Québec educational activity before the permit is issued.
Source
“Vous avez participé à l’activité de formation ALDO-Québec avant la délivrance de votre permis.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r...For the regular permit route, you must provide proof of LCMC status, unless exempted.
Source
“Vous devez fournir la preuve du statut de Licencié du Conseil médical du Canada (LCMC).”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm...For the regular permit route, you must have participated in the ALDO-Québec educational activity.
Source
“Vous devez avoir participé à l’activité de formation ALDO-Québec portant sur les aspects légaux, déontologiques et organisationnels de la pratique médicale au Québec.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm...For the regular permit route, you must demonstrate knowledge of French.
Source
“Connaissance du français”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm...For IMGs applying to postgraduate training in Quebec, you must have obtained prior recognition of equivalence of your M.D. degree from the CMQ.
Source
“These requirements include having obtained prior recognition of equivalence of your Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the CMQ.”
mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/carms-and-mcc...
Already licensed in another province?
Not stated
The pages list an application type for holders of a regular permit in Canada but do not state whether such applicants can register without retaking exams or assessments. Source
“6. Demande de permis régulier – Prêt à exercer (personne détentrice d’un permis régulier au Canada)”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/centre-info/liste-des-...
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
Exams
-
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
Source
“You have passed the 3 components of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE);”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... -
OQLF exam
Source
“If you are unable to provide proof of your knowledge of French, you must have attempted the OQLF exam before the restricted permit is issued.”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... -
examen d’évaluation du Conseil médical du Canada (EECMC)
Source
“examen d’évaluation du Conseil médical du Canada (EECMC) – réussi avant 2019;”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... -
examen d’aptitude du Conseil médical du Canada (EACMC)
Source
“examen d’aptitude du Conseil médical du Canada (EACMC);”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... -
USMLE/Step 2 CK
Source
“United States Medical Licensing Examination/Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (USMLE/Step 2 CK).”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... -
Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)
Source
“will need to provide results for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE), (formerly MCCQE Part I) and the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination.”
mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/carms-and-mcc...Which provinces ask for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)
-
examens de spécialité en médecine de famille du Collège des médecins de famille du Canada (CMFC)
Source
“vous devez réussir les examens de spécialité en médecine de famille du Collège des médecins de famille du Canada (CMFC) ou de l’American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm... -
examens du Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada
Source
“Pour les autres spécialités, vous devez réussir les examens du Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada (Collège royal).”
cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm...
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with Collège des médecins du Québec
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $95,137 | $268,808 | $505,024 | 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
- Ontario 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
- Restrictive permit – Physician trained and certified in the United States | Collège des médecins du Québec cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Permis d’exercice régulier | Collège des médecins du Québec cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/demande-de-permis/perm... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Restrictive permit – Sponsored professor | Collège des médecins du Québec cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Restrictive permit – Clinician – Practice Ready Assessment (PRA) | Collège des médecins du Québec cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Permis restrictif - ARM Québec-France - Évaluation de la capacité à exercer (ECE/PRA) | Collège des médecins du Québec cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-r... · fetched October 10, 2026
- CaRMS and MCC exams | Medical Council of Canada mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/carms-and-mcc... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Application for medical registration | Medical Council of Canada mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/application-f... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Documents required and other conditions | Collège des médecins du Québec cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/centre-info/liste-des-... · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a physician in Quebec?
Yes. Registration with Collège des médecins du Québec is required to practise in Quebec.
Which exams are required?
United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), OQLF exam, examen d’évaluation du Conseil médical du Canada (EECMC), examen d’aptitude du Conseil médical du Canada (EACMC), USMLE/Step 2 CK, Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE), examens de spécialité en médecine de famille du Collège des médecins de famille du Canada (CMFC), examens du Collège royal des médecins et chirurgiens du Canada.
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