How to Become a Doctor in BC

Obtain your license to practice in BC.

Becoming a doctor in British Columbia requires several steps, including medical school, residency, licensure and certification. You must comply with several different agencies including the College of Physicians & Surgeons of British Columbia, the Medical Council of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Additionally, you will need to provide proof of residency and citizenship for full licensure or proof of residency for a temporary license. Furthermore, you must be a graduate of an accredited and recognized medical school.

Instructions

1. Complete your medical degree from a college accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). You can find the list through their website (see References).

2. Accomplish a minimum of two years of accredited postgraduate training recognized by the registration committee. This must include a basic core of 44 weeks, consisting of eight weeks in each of medicine, surgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and pediatrics, and four weeks in each of psychiatry, emergency medicine, and family/general practice, as stated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

3. Obtain your Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. (LMCC). You must apply through the LMCC and pass a two-part examination. The assessment is on diagnostic clinical problem solving, principles of management and data gathering. In order to be eligible to take the examination, you must be a graduate of a CPSBC-approved medical school. If you graduated outside of Canada, you will have to take a Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE), which you can apply for and take through the LMCC.

4. Register for licensure through the CPSBC. Pay your registration fee and show proof of residency and citizenship within British Columbia. If you have neither, you must provide documents that you are permanently residing in British Columbia or plan to do so immediately; this will give you a temporary license, which you can renew anually.

5. Maintain your medical license. Remit an annual feel to the CPSBC and complete continuing competency requirements as administered by the board.

References

• Healthmatch BC: College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC Requirements
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia: Physicians' Area
• Medical Council of Canada: Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada
• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada: Credentials and Examinations