Becoming a doctor is no easy feat. It requires years of dedication and hard work. But the rewards are great, both professionally and personally. If you’re thinking of becoming a doctor, here’s what you need to know about the process in Canada.
Get a bachelor’s degree
The first step to becoming a doctor in Canada is to obtain an undergraduate degree from a recognized university. While you can study any discipline you like, most people pursuing a career in medicine choose to major in subjects like biology, chemistry, or physics.
Complete medical school
Once you have your bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to attend medical school for four years. During your first two years, you’ll take courses covering topics like anatomy and physiology. In your third and fourth years, you will complete rotations in various medical specialties, such as family medicine, pediatrics, or surgery.
Write the Medical Licensing Exam
After you’ve graduated from medical school, you’ll need to write the Medical Licensing Exam (MLE) in order to become licensed to practice medicine in Canada. The MLE is a multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of the basic sciences and clinical medicine.
Complete residency training
After passing the MLE, you’ll need to complete residency training in order to specialize in a particular area of medicine. Residency training typically lasts four years but can last up to seven years depending on your chosen specialty.
Obtain Fellowship Training (optional)
After completing residency training, you may choose to pursue fellowship training in order to further specialize in a particular area of medicine. Fellowship training typically lasts one to three years but can last up to five years depending on your chosen specialty.
Become certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ)
Once you’ve completed all of the steps above, you’ll need to become certified by either the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). Certification requires passing written and oral examinations as well as completing an ethics exam.
Apply for licensure with the provincial or territorial licensing authority
After you’ve been certified by either the RCPSC or CMQ, you can apply for licensure with the provincial or territorial licensing authority where you plan on practicing medicine. Each province and territory has its own licensing requirements so be sure to check with your local authority for more information.
And there you have it! That’s the process for becoming a doctor in Canada! While it may seem like a lot of work, remember that many people have gone through it before you and come out successful on the other side. With hard work and determination, you can too!