Action Plan for Licensure and Certification (Medical Speciality)

This sample action plan is illustrated with the example of British Columbia; however, each applicant should create an individual action plan that is informed by the policies of the medical regulatory authority of the province or territory which they intend to return.

To work as an independent specialist in British Columbia, a physician must meet the Specialty Training Requirements of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), as well as the licensure requirements outlined by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC).

Current CPSBC requirements for full licensure include LMCC (or USMLE steps 1, 2, and 3) and FRCPC/FRCSC (or, via the alternate pathway, American Board Certification and 24 months of supervised practice in BC).

In order to meet the CPSBC requirements I have done and/or plan to do the following:

• I have graduated in medicine from university/college/facility, in (city/country) in (year). My medical school is approved by the CPSBC Council thus I would be able to meet the preliminary requirement pertaining to my medical education.
• I have successfully completed USMLE Step 1, 2, and 3. Include exam dates.
• Indicate here whether you have completed or intend to complete any of the Medical Council of Canada examinations (include dates). As noted above the CPSBC currently accepts USMLE steps 1, 2, and 3 (in their entirety) in lieu of LMCC.
• (Month/year): Start (specialty) residency at university/medical facility).
• (Month/year): Complete the Accreditation Council for Graduate Education (ACGME) approved (specialty) residency training.

Note: Some residency programs in the US are shorter than Canadian programs (i.e. Internal Medicine residency is 3 years in the US, but 4 years in Canada). Therefore, depending on your specialty, you may need to obtain an additional year of training (chief residency or fellowship) to meet the RCPSC Specialty Training Requirements. If so, indicate how the training will be acquired.

In order to meet the RCPSC requirements:

• (Month/year): Start searching for a one-year supervised training program to commence after graduation in (month/year).
  • Contact individual programs for a one-year fellowship program in (specialty).
• (Month/year): Complete one extra year of supervised training in US to meet the RCPSC requirements (if applicable).

Decide whether you intend to pursue full licensure in British Columbia via RCPSC examinations (leading to FRCPC/FRCSC) or via the alternate pathway (American Board certification and 24 months of supervised practice in BC).

If you are following the alternate pathway route:

After my training, I plan to obtain American Board certification in my specialty.

• (Month/year): Apply to American Board of (insert specialty) .
• (Month/year): Pass American Board examinations in my specialty.
• (Month/year): Apply to CPSBC for Provisional registration in the Province of British Columbia leading to Full registration after 24 months of supervised practice in BC and a positive practice assessment.

If you are following the RCPSC examination route:

After my training, I plan to obtain Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Certification in my specialty.

• (Month/year): Submit an application to RCPSC for a preliminary assessment of (specialty) training:
  • Prepare documentation of all credentials along with verification of all credentials and all periods of non-Canadian training from the Physicians Credentials Registry (PCRC).
  • Obtain a Comprehensive Competency report from my supervisor.
  • Provide information on subspecialty fellowship, if known.
• (Month/year): Wait for the official ruling letter confirming the eligibility of the RCPSC certification exam to be mailed.
• (Month/year): Register for RCPSC certification exam once the official ruling letter is received (if applicable).
• (Month/year): Take written and OSCE component of RCPSC certification exam.
• (Month/year): Apply to CPSBC for full licensure in the Province of British Columbia after successful completion of RCPSC certification examination.