Competency-Based Alternatives to Canadian Certification (2025)
November 2025
The Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC), representing the 13 Canadian medical regulatory authorities (MRAs), affirms its commitment to ensuring that physicians practising in Canada provide safe, competent, and ethical care. In support of this mandate, MRAs continue to explore and evaluate pathways to licensure that uphold these standards while responding to the evolving needs of the healthcare system.
It is the duty of the medical regulatory authorities (MRAs) of Canada to license only physicians with the competence, character, and capacity to practise medicine safely and ethically.
In discharge of that duty, through FMRAC, the MRAs recognize the certification processes of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) as trusted confirmations of physician competency across the sweep of the disciplines. These certifications are a cornerstone of Canadian medical licensing. MRAs acknowledge that other forms of evidence can effectively demonstrate a physician’s competence. In service to the public interest, MRAs must consider evidence other than certification that might confirm physician competence and ensure patient safety.
Pathways to medical licensure without Canadian certification must effectively assess the competencies necessary for safe and independent medical practice in Canada to a full or defined scope. These pathways may support broader goals such as physician mobility, workforce planning, and improved access to care, particularly in underserved communities.
FMRAC supports the regulation of medicine in the public interest with an approach that is proportionate, consistent, targeted, transparent, accountable, agile and aligned with fairness principles. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, MRAs remain committed to their mandate of public protections by upholding evidence-based, defensible standards while continuing to explore innovative and responsible approaches to licensure that broaden their ability to determine if the standards have been met.
The Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC), representing the 13 Canadian medical regulatory authorities (MRAs), affirms its commitment to ensuring that physicians practising in Canada provide safe, competent, and ethical care. In support of this mandate, MRAs continue to explore and evaluate pathways to licensure that uphold these standards while responding to the evolving needs of the healthcare system.
It is the duty of the medical regulatory authorities (MRAs) of Canada to license only physicians with the competence, character, and capacity to practise medicine safely and ethically.
In discharge of that duty, through FMRAC, the MRAs recognize the certification processes of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) as trusted confirmations of physician competency across the sweep of the disciplines. These certifications are a cornerstone of Canadian medical licensing. MRAs acknowledge that other forms of evidence can effectively demonstrate a physician’s competence. In service to the public interest, MRAs must consider evidence other than certification that might confirm physician competence and ensure patient safety.
Pathways to medical licensure without Canadian certification must effectively assess the competencies necessary for safe and independent medical practice in Canada to a full or defined scope. These pathways may support broader goals such as physician mobility, workforce planning, and improved access to care, particularly in underserved communities.
FMRAC supports the regulation of medicine in the public interest with an approach that is proportionate, consistent, targeted, transparent, accountable, agile and aligned with fairness principles. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, MRAs remain committed to their mandate of public protections by upholding evidence-based, defensible standards while continuing to explore innovative and responsible approaches to licensure that broaden their ability to determine if the standards have been met.