Statements of Need for Postgraduate Training in the United States - Medical graduates not currently enrolled in Canadian postgraduate training and not licensed specialists in Canada [Category B] - Extending a Statement of Need

This content was archived on June 24, 2013.

Requirements for extending a Statement of Need

Physicians who already have a Statement of Need and who wish to undertake additional postgraduate medical training (Chief Resident, Fellowship, Sub-specialty) in the U.S. must apply to Health Canada for a new Statement of Need for the additional training. The physician shall remain in the same applicant category as in their initial application.

Which specialties are eligible for a Statement of Need from Health Canada?

The medical specialties and sub-specialties eligible for a Statement of Need within this Category are determined annually by a committee of representatives from provincial and territorial ministries or departments of health. These requirements are compiled into a single List of Needed Specialties that is accessible to all eligible^{Footnote 1} applicants. Applicants can request the List of Needed Specialties by contacting the Program Administrator by email: j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca.

Health Canada is authorized to issue Statement of Need only for training that is identified within the List of Needed Specialties or directly endorsed by a provincial or territorial ministry or department of health. Applicants wishing to discuss training outside of the List of Needed Specialties or unique situations are to contact the provincial or territorial representative in the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice medicine.

List of contacts within Provincial and Territorial Ministries / Departments of Health.

Which training programs are eligible?

Accreditation and RCPSC Recognition

Programs in RCPSC-recognized specialties and sub-specialties which are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) are eligible to receive a Statement of Need. These programs would be recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada towards certification in the specialty and sub-specialty. Medical training programs in the United States that are accredited by the ACGME are recognized by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada towards certification in the specialty and subspecialty. Physicians who have not yet met the RCPSC specialty training requirements (STRs), are encouraged to pursue ACGME-accredited programs.

When do I submit my application?

Requests for extensions of Statements of Need should be submitted no less than two months before expiry of the original Statement of Need.

How long will my application take to process?

Please allow 30 working days to process an application and issue the Statement of Need. The Statement of Need, bearing the seal of the Canadian Federal Department of Health, is delivered directly to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). A copy of the signed Statement of Need is sent by Canada Post to the applicant.

What documents do I need to submit?

Below is the list of documents that applicants in this category must submit in order to apply for a Statement of Need for additional training:

1. Application Form

Provide a signed application form.

Application Form for a Statement of Need (Category B: Unlicensed Medical Graduate)

Print the PDF form and fill it in, then submit it by mail, email, courier or fax to the Program Administrator (Health Canada).

2. Confirmation of Current Permanent Residency in Canada (if applicable)

If your Permanent Resident Card has expired since your original application^{Footnote 2}, please renew the card and provide a notarized copy^{Footnote 3} of the updated card.

3. Provincial Letter of Endorsement (only for physicians intending to practice in Quebec)

Physicians intending to practice medicine in Quebec must obtain a letter of endorsement directly from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux before applying for a Statement of Need from Health Canada. Physicians intending to practice medicine in all other provinces and territories do not require a unique letter of endorsement when their proposed training program is in a specialty or sub-specialty contained in the List of Needed Specialties.

Contact Information:

Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Quebec)
M. Sébastien Arseneault
Responsable du programme
Direction de la main-d'oeuvre médicale
Direction générale des services de santé et médecine universitaire
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
1075, chemin Ste-Foy, 8^e étage
Québec (Québec) G1S 2M1
Téléphone: (418) 266-5807
Télécopieur: (418) 266-6938
visaj1@msss.gouv.qc.ca
Alternate: Brigitte Moreau, (418) 266-6986

4. RCPSC Letter of Recognition of U.S. Training (for training programs of two years or more)

For medical specialty training programs of two years or more in duration, applicants need to provide a letter from the RCPSC indicating that the clinical training program in the United States would be recognized in full or in part to the extent that the content of training satisfies the College's training requirements.

Requests to the RCPSC must include a copy of the residency training contract with the U.S. Program and the name of the program director and may be submitted by email or facsimile. The RCPSC charges a fee of $140 CDN for the letter of recognition; this fee is subject to change without notice.

Email: credentials@rcpsc.edu (include "J-1 Visa Letter" in the subject line)

Fax: (613) 730-3707 (include "J-1 Visa Letter with your request)

Note: The RCPSC letter of recognition of US training is always delivered by email to both you and the Program Administrator at Health Canada in approximately five working days.

5. Letter of Offer/Training Contract/U.S. Match Webpage

Provide a copy one of the following:

• A letter of offer for the additional training in a Chief Resident, Fellowship or Sub-specialty program from the United States facility. The letter must be on the institution's letterhead and should be accompanied by your signature of acceptance of the offer; or
• A training contract for the additional training in a Chief Resident, Fellowship or Sub-specialty program from the United States facility. The training contract should bear your signature indicating you have accepted the offer; or
• The secure web page confirming you have matched to a Fellowship or Sub-specialty program in the United States.

6. Optional: Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information form

Provide a signed original of the Consent to the Disclosure of Personal Information to Provincial and Territorial Governments for Recruitment Purposes (the Consent Form). By signing the Consent Form, the individual permits Canadian provincial and territorial health authorities to initiate the process of recruitment of an individual for employment in Canada after completion of their medical training in the United States.

The individual can sign the Consent Form at the time of application for a Statement of Need or at any time during their training in the United States. Physicians will be subject to any physician resource management policies in existence at the time of their return to Canada.

Where do I submit my application?

All the required documents listed above must be sent to the Program Administrator, Statement of Need Program, Health Human Resources Policy Division, Health Canada. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all required documents are submitted.

With the exception of certified and notarized documents, all the required documents listed above can be submitted to Health Canada by fax, email, mail or courier.

Certified and notarized documents must be sent by mail or courier.

See below for electronic mail, regular mail, facsimile and courier addresses:

Regular Mail
Program Administrator
Statement of Need / J-1 Visa Program
Health Human Resources Policy Division
Health Canada
Jeanne Mance Building, Address Locator 1918C
200 Eglantine Driveway
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9

By Courier
Program Administrator
Statement of Need / J-1 Visa Program
Health Canada
200 Eglantine Driveway
Jeanne Mance Building, Address Locator 1918C
Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Telephone: (613) 952 1912

By Facsimile
Program Administrator
Statement of Need Program
Health Human Resources Policy Division
Facsimile: 613-948-8081

By Electronic Mail
j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca
Subject: Application for Statement of Need, "Your Name"

If you have a question about the administration of your application, please contact the Program Administrator using the following email address: j1visa@hc-sc.gc.ca.