Today, the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC) announced a major advancement to improve access to internationally trained physicians while maintaining public protection.

Through renewed collaboration with national partners, FMRAC approved a national evaluation framework to guide assessment and recognition decisions. This framework has been applied to two countries, concluding that physicians from those jurisdictions have the medical skills and knowledge required for practice in Canada. FMRAC and its members commit to evaluating other countries together, including evaluation of our NATO allies in the next 3-6 months.

“This work is about access and public protection together,” said Stephanie Price, Executive Director of FMRAC. “Canadians need timely access to care, and they also need confidence that medical regulation continues to protect patients. By working together, regulators can move more consistently and reduce duplication without lowering standards.”

Jurisdictional recognition offers medical regulators a structured approach to assess medical education, training, certification, and regulatory systems in other countries. The framework will continue to be tested and refined as it is applied to more countries.

“Medical regulation remains provincial and territorial, but the access challenge is national,” saidFMRAC President Dr. Tanis Adey, Registrar and CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador “This agreement shows what is possible when regulators and partners work together with a shared purpose.”

Provincial and territorial medical regulators will retain full authority over licensing decisions within their jurisdictions. The framework is designed to support, not replace, their decision-making.

“Canada cannot meet its health workforce challenges by choosing between speed and safety,” added Price. “This is a concrete step toward supporting both.”