Obtain recognition of the equivalence of your M.D. – Step 1
Read about the first step to obtain recognition of the equivalence of your M.D.
If you wish to submit an application for admission to a residency program for the 2026 CaRMS main match, we invite you to send us your application for recognition of equivalence of your medical degree before November 1, 2025. After this date, we cannot ensure that the applications received will be completed in time for the November 27, 2025, deadline.
Checklist
You can use the checklist to mark off the steps you have completed.
Conditions for access to step 1 :
Hold a Medical Degree (M.D.) from a university listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and which has an “Passed” status in your physiciansapply.ca account;
AND
have passed the required examinations*
OR have
the status as a Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).
*Required examinations:
- For international medical graduates (IMG): MCCQE Part I + NAC Examination (Register with the Medical Council of Canada under “Examinations” in your personal account at physiciansapply.ca).
- For graduates in the United States before July 1, 2025: recognition of equivalence of the MD is not required.
- For graduates in the United States after July 1, 2025: USMLE 1, 2, 3.
To submit an application:
From your personal account on the MCC’s physiciansapply.ca site, please select:
- Application for medical registration
- QC Collège des médecins du Québec
- Regular permit – Recognition of equivalence of the Medical Degree (M.D.)
You will also have to provide the required documents. Some must be sent to the Collège, while others must be submitted to physiciansapply.ca. Please see the List of fees.
Through the physiciansapply.ca portal, the Medical Council of Canada will source verify your credentials. Make sure that you have shared each of your documents with the CMQ so that we can access them.
Once
- you have provided proof that you have passed the required examinations (depending on your profile, see above) OR your Licentiate number (LMCC)
and
- your Medical Degree submitted to physiciansapply.ca has the verification status “Passed”,
the Collège will recognize the equivalence of your Medical Degree (M.D.).
Lead times :
- Acknowledgment of receipt of the application: 48 to 72 hours
- Issuance of the letter of recognition of equivalence once the file is complete: 10 business days
Recognition of the equivalence of your M.D. does not authorize you to practice medicine in Quebec; you must complete all the steps listed above in order to be entitled to practice, including being issued a permit to practice and a specialist’s certificate by the Collège.
For the Collège, the French language proficiency requirement is included in Step 4.
However, the universities may have particular requirements. We suggest that you contact them for information about their requirements.
Le “diplôme d’état de docteur en médecine” from a faculty of medicine that is located and provides training in France is recognized by the Collège under the Quebec-France Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). You may go on to Step 2 to continue. Before doing so, make sure you contact the faculties of medicine to find out their admission requirements.
Alternative route
You may submit an application for admission to the undergraduate medical program at one of Quebec’s four faculties of medicine. Please contact the faculties directly to find out their respective admission requirements.
The number of places available is limited and you cannot be guaranteed a position in an undergraduate program. The faculties of medicine are responsible for selecting applicants.
Write to: equivalence@cmq.org