Recognition of equivalence in order to obtain a regular permit to practice
Step 2 - Postgraduate training
A candidate who wishes to do a postgraduate training in Québec as a resident, must beforehand have obtained the recognition of equivalence of his medical degree (M.D.) by the Collège des médecins du Québec.
Once you have obtained the recognition of the equivalence of your medical degree (step 1), you may apply for admission to one of Québec’s four faculties of medicine to obtain a residency position in order to complete a postgraduate training. A list of recognized specialites in Québec is available in Schedule I of the Regulation respecting the terms and conditions of issuance of the permit and specialist’s certificates by the Collège des médecins du Québec.
The faculties of medicine in Québec are responsible for assigning residents’ positions to complete any postgraduate training. As the number of places is limited, obtaining a residency position can not be guaranteed in any manner.
In order to deposit an admission application in one of the Québec postgraduate training program, your contact information will be transmitted to the Québec faculties of medicine Conférence des vice-doyens aux études médicales postdoctorales (CVDFM). This organism is responsible for the application of the Québec postgraduate training programs registered policy. If you want to obtain more information about this policy you may consult the Website of the Conférence des recteurs et principaux des universités du Québec.
The CVDFM will contact you by email to explain the steps to follow in order to deposit an admission application in one of the Québec postgraduate training program, and will indicate in which contingent you will be eligible (regular or special). Generally, the CVDFM communicates with candidates during the month of October. Therefore, it is important that you inform them of any change of address. You may reach the CVDFM at the following email address: DHCEU@crepuq.qc.ca. However, if you want more information concerning the Canadian residency matching service (CaRMS) and the modalities which apply, you may consult their Website.
We encourage you to look through the websites of each of the four faculties of medicine. They provide useful information on Québec's education system and the support services offered.
Faculté de médecine de l’Université Laval
Faculté de médecine de l’Université McGill
Faculté de médecine de l’Université de Montréal
Faculté de médecine de l’Université de Sherbrooke
Please be advised of the following:
- If you have done postgraduate training (complete or partial) outside of Canada and you obtain a residency position in the same discipline within a training program recognized in Canada or the United States, then the faculty of medicine could take the training already completed into consideration. Note that the content of this training must conform to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s objectives and requirements for specialized training or to the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s accreditation criteria for family medicine residency programs. The requirements for any of the specialties recognized in Québec can be consulted online.
- Any training undergone and successfully completed in Canada or the United States could be recognized by the CMQ if all of the following conditions are met:
a. The training is equivalent in duration and content to what is recognized in Québec. In that regard, you can consult the information related to each of the specialties.
b. The training was completed within a postgraduate university program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, or the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
c. You possess the professional skills required and the faculty of medicine confirms that you have successfully completed your training and achieved all of the program objectives.
- A total training equivalence is granted to any person who has completed postgraduate training in a program that is not recognized by the CMQ but who has passed the final examination administered by the College of Family Physicians of Canada or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.