International Doctors in Canada

02/16/2026

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02/15/2026

2026 MCCQE1? Here is Everything You Need to Know 🇨🇦🩺
The landscape for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I has evolved. If you are targeting the May 2026 session or beyond, staying updated on the new format and available resources is key to your success.

1. The 2026 Exam Format: What’s New?
The exam has been streamlined to focus purely on clinical reasoning through a 100% Multiple Choice (MCQ) format.

* No More CDM: The Clinical Decision-Making (short answer) cases have been removed.
* Structure: 230 MCQs total.
* Timing: Two sections of 160 minutes each (approx. 6.5 hours total) with an optional 45-minute break.
* Focus: Stronger emphasis on Canadian clinical guidelines (screening, ethics, and population health).

2. 2026 Key Exam Dates

* Spring Session: April 22 – May 30, 2026
* Fall Session: August 19 – September 16, 2026
* Late Fall Session: October 1 – October 21, 2026
* Note: Registration typically opens 5 months prior via your physiciansapply.ca account.

3. Essential Resources & Question Banks

To mirror the Canadian standard, your prep should prioritize:
* Toronto Notes 2026: The essential reference for Canadian medical objectives.
* Official MCC Preparatory Products: The only source for retired exam questions and official full-length practice tests.
* Top QBanks:
* Ace QBank: High-yield and highly aligned with the 2026 MCQ-only format.
* CanadaQBank: Extensive library with over 3,000+ simulated questions.
* AMBOSS (Canada): Excellent for deep-dives into pathophysiology with a dedicated MCCQE1 study plan.
* UWorld (Step 2 CK): Great for clinical knowledge, though supplemented with Canadian Ethics/Public Health.

4. Where to Find Support (Classes & Groups)
Don't study in a silo. Leverage these platforms for community and expert guidance:
~ Study guide platforms in your province
~ Study groups: Local WhatsApp groups
~ Facebook psges/ groups

Path to Licensure:
Success on the MCCQE1 is about pattern recognition and thinking like a Canadian Generalist. Start early, use active recall, and focus on the "Next Best Step" in management.



contact: International Doctors in Canada

02/15/2026

A note to my international Physicians in Canada 🇨🇦

We all know the story: you have years of clinical experience, you have managed complex cases, and you have served communities... but in Canada, it can feel like starting from zero.

The journey to licensure is a marathon, not a sprint.

However, the landscape is shifting. We are seeing more pathways that value our experience, not just our ability to take exams.

If you are navigating this process right now, these are the 4 acronyms that should be on your radar:

MCC (Medical Council of Canada)
The non-negotiable first step. Whether it’s source verification or the MCCQE1, everything starts here. It sets the national standard we all must meet to prove we are ready for the Canadian healthcare environment.

PRA (Practice Ready Assessment)
For many of us, this is the goal. Instead of repeating a multi-year residency, PRA programs allow experienced physicians to undergo a 12-week clinical assessment. It’s a rigorous test of competence, but it respects the years of work we have already put in.

PRO (Practice Ready Ontario)
If you are looking at Ontario, this is a critical stream. Designed specifically for family physicians, PRO is opening doors for immediate integration into the workforce without the need for retraining.

To my colleagues: The system is finally recognizing that Canada needs our skills just as much as we want to be here. Keep studying, stay focused on these pathways, and don't give up.

02/14/2026

What are Practice-Ready Assessment programs?
Practice-Ready Assessment (PRA) programs provide an accelerated pathway to licensure for internationally trained physicians (ITPs). These physicians have completed their postgraduate medical training and have engaged in independent clinical practice outside of Canada.

Currently, there are nine provinces running independent PRA programs. Each program offers a clinical workplace-based assessment lasting up to 12 weeks. Most of these are in family medicine, although a few provinces offer assessments in other specialties. During this assessment period, participants practise under the supervision of trained physician assessors to demonstrate their skills and readiness to work in the Canadian health care system, and to provide safe and high-quality care to patients. This accelerated route to licensure allows them to enter the physician workforce in that province without having to retrain. It is worth noting that while PRA programs share common eligibility criteria, each program has distinct intake requirements, which may include examinations.

PRA programs support communities that need additional physicians and ensure employment for successful candidates. After completing a practice-ready assessment, successful participants enter a return of service agreement to work in areas of high need within the province of assessment for a determined time.

02/08/2026

Toronto Notes is the main resource for medical licensing exam preparation

02/08/2026

AIMGA provides great information and guidance for career goals

AIMG is a competitive application process in Alberta, used to identify qualified applicants for defined residency positions.

02/08/2026

https://www.hilltimes.com/sponsored/canada-cant-afford-to-leave-qualified-physicians-on-the-sidelines/

Canada needs more doctors. Now. Millions of people living in Canada have no family physicians. Others are languishing on waitlists for specialist care. Internationally trained physicians (ITPs) and international medical graduates (IMGs) are already helping to close these gaps. Sadly, thousands mor....

02/08/2026

03/14/2017

Assessment Evolution for international students and graduates

Dr. Claire Touchie, Chief Medical Education Advisor at the Medical Council of Canada (MCC), describes the upcoming changes to the MCC examination program. This video explores the key elements of the MCC’s Assessment Evolution and describes how the examinations will be affected or changed. Internationally trained students and graduates can also learn about the preparatory materials available and key dates for this evolution.

03/14/2017

Government of Canada (Foreign Credentials Recognition Program – Labour Market Integration) announced the approval of $6.7 million over 3.5 years to the MCC for Streamlined and Equitable Assessment for Foreign-Trained Physicians. This funding will support an international and more flexible delivery of the MCCQE Part I, starting in 2019.

03/14/2017

Beginning in 2011, the MCC has exhaustively examined its assessment process, collaborating with all medical regulatory authorities, faculties, certification colleges, and other stakeholders.
This process identified areas for improvement, including:
The need for more opportunities to take and retake the MCCQE Part I.
The need to simplify and streamline the evaluation process for international medical graduates (IMGs).
Additional preparatory material for the MCCQE Part I and Part II.
A re-examination of the purpose and mandate of the NAC exam.
The new MCC assessment Blueprint and the Assessment Evolution initiative address all three concerns.

Beginning in 2011, the MCC has exhaustively examined its assessment process, collaborating with all medical regulatory authorities, faculties, certification colleges, and other stakeholders.