College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
Physicians trained outside Canada may be eligible for academic licensing through CPSO. In order to be eligible, candidates must meet the requirements of the CPSO’s Policy on Academic Registration.
You should contact CPSO directly to determine the type of license you will require to practice. A credentials assessor at the CPSO can provide guidance and/or direct you to the appropriate contact for further information.
Please note:
- All applicants will now be required to obtain a valid Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) check from a municipal or provincial police service in Canada. Applicants are advised that when planning their arrival to Ontario, those residing outside of Canada must take into consideration the criminal record check processing time of a minimum of 14 business days.
- Foreign workers must provide CPSO with a copy of a valid work permit before a license can be issued or extended.
To begin the licensing process, you must contact CPSO to obtain the appropriate application package.
Once you have agreed upon a potential start date for your faculty position, the department chair will prepare and submit a letter in support of your application. The department will also notify the dean’s office (via faculty relations) of this request. Faculty relations will arrange for a dean’s letter of support and a Confirmation of Academic Appointment form to be signed and submitted to directly to CPSO.
Please keep in mind the deadlines set by the CPSO’s registration committee and ensure that all documentation is received by CPSO on time, so that approval of your license is not delayed. All applications should be sent to CPSO via mail/courier with a tracking number. Packages must be complete and include all necessary fees.
Applicants are advised to submit their applications four to six months in advance of their planned academic start date.
Once your package has been received by CPSO, your file will be assigned to an assessor and an initial assessment will take place. Once the application is assessed, you will be advised via email to check your online status or to call the College’s Applications and Credentials Inquiries for information on any outstanding documents, as well as Registration Committee dates and deadlines.
Extension
When your academic appointment is extended, your academic department will notify faculty relations and an updated confirmation of academic appointment form will be submitted to CPSO.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the all other requested information is submitted well in advance of your license expiry to meet the CPSO deadlines. This information normally consists of an updated curriculum vitae (CV), a completed Application to Modify Terms and Conditions and letters of support from the dean and department Chair. Please note, other documents may be requested. Once the request is reviewed, you will be advised via email to check your online status or to call the College’s Applications and Credentials Inquiries for information on any outstanding documentation.
Promotion
When you have been promoted, the faculty relations office will forward a dean’s letter and an updated confirmation of academic appointment form to CPSO on your behalf.
Request for Practice Assessment
Under the College’s Academic Registration policy currently in place, you may apply to the Registration Committee to undergo a practice assessment by the College as an academic physician who will have practiced in an academic setting in Ontario for at least five years. Upon successful completion of practice assessment, you would be eligible to continue practicing in an academic setting and/or scope approved by the Registration Committee. The terms and conditions of your restricted certificate will be amended as directed by the College’s Registration Committee. After completion of the practice assessment, it is possible you will be granted a restricted certificate, allowing you to practice independently in your scope of practice. However, it is also possible that you will be granted a restricted certificate allowing you to practice in an academic setting only. This determination can only be made after the practice assessment is complete.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the all other requested information is submitted well in advance of your license expiry to meet the CPSO deadlines. This information normally consists of an updated CV, a completed Application to Modify Terms and Conditions and letters of support from the dean and department chair. Please note, other documents may be requested. Once the request is reviewed, you will be notified by the College.
You must provide CPSO with a copy of your work permit. Please note that CPSO will not accept proof of application. In order for your license to be issued, CPSO must receive a copy of your physical work permit.
If you receive a renewal of your work permit, you must provide CPSO with a copy of the new permit. It is suggested that you submit your new permit to CPSO well in advance of the current permit’s expiry to ensure that there are no disruptions to your license.
Additionally, when you achieve permanent residency, you will need to forward a copy of the front and back of your PR card directly to CPSO so that they can update your file and remove the work permit end date.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
The following is excerpted from the RCPSC Policy on Academic Certification
The RCPSC Academic Certification program is intended to assist Canadian faculties of medicine and universities in the recruitment and retention of specialists as full-time clinical faculty at the rank of full or associate professor, when recruitment of qualified RCPSC certificants has been unsuccessful. The program is particularly aimed at facilitating the recruitment of clinician scientists and clinical educators.
Academic Certification remains in effect only for as long as the certificant maintains a full-time academic appointment and the same specialty practice, at the same medical school and its affiliated institutions, and maintains RCPSC fellowship.
The Education Committee in consultation with the Office of Education, will consider an application for Academic Certification for a full-time medical faculty member under the following conditions:
- The application for consideration of academic certification is submitted and supported by the dean of the Faculty of Medicine to which the candidate is being recruited
- At the time of application, the candidate is an academic physician, holds the rank of associate professor or higher, has been at least five years in a full-time academic position and holds a full-time academic faculty position (i.e., engaged primarily in academic duties) for at least five years.
- Applications for candidates recruited at the rank of assistant professor may be considered for Academic Certification, provided that the candidate satisfies all conditions and criteria stated in the Policy on Academic Certification, has been promoted to the rank of associate professor and has registered in and is compliant with the requirements of the Royal College Continuing Professional Development program.
- Interested applications are asked to work with their department to complete the application form and submit this to faculty relations for the dean’s approval. Please note, fees for the application are updated annually and payment must be included with the application.