An Initiative of
An Initiative of
Explore each step and option within the academic medicine process, including their duration, objective, and desired outcome.
The journey to becoming a physician can be complex and no two paths look exactly the same. This roadmap shows how each stage connects, helping you understand what to expect and how to navigate every step with confidence.
Prepare for a competitive undergraduate program with strong performance in secondary school core academic subjects. Biology, Chemistry, Math (Functions/Calculus); AP/IB if available.
~4 years
Aim for ≥85–90% average. Extracurriculars matter
Eligibility for undergraduate admission
Apply to the undergraduate degree of your choice. Common program selections are Biology, Health Sciences, and Kinesiology.
Obtain an undergraduate degree. (Note: Some medical schools require only 3 years or 90 credits, and not all schools require science prerequisites. Be sure to check the specific admission requirements for your target schools.)
3-4+ years
Competitive applicants often present GPAs of ≥3.8 or higher but expectations vary by school, and strong applicants come from many academic backgrounds. Extracurriculars and volunteer work matter.
Eligibility to apply to medical schools
Complete required tests for medical school: MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and CASPer (Computer-based assessment for personal characteristics).
Apply to a Canadian medical school and complete interviews.
(or achieve application requirements for your desired medical school program)
Attend medical school and complete coursework and rotations (clinical experience).
3–4 years
Clinical performance and references impact residency match
Eligibility to enter residency match process
Apply to placements across all Canadian medical schools through the AFMC Student Portal. Leverage electives to explore specialties and gain clinical experience necessary to help plan your future career path.
Electives are short-term clinical placements typically 2 to 8 weeks and are typically completed in years 3 to 4.
Canadian Medical Graduates (CMGs)
The Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS) is the national matching process for residency placement.
Complete the MCCQE (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination) Part I. This exam assesses medical knowledge and clinical decision-making.
International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
IMGs must take and pass the MCCQE and the NAC OSCE (only applicable to IMGs) before their CaRMS application can be reviewed by programs. Applications submitted without these requirements will not be considered eligible.
Required to become a licensed medical doctor. You will complete supervised specialty training, required for independent practice. Choose between over 30 specialties.
2–7 years
Salary ~$65K–$120K/year * Strictly scales by training year, not by medical specialty. Exact salary varies by province and training year.
Workload 50–80 hrs/week
Eligibility for certification and independent practice
Apply to subspecialty residency programs (e.g., cardiology, gastroenterology) after beginning a core specialty like Internal Medicine. Applications are submitted through the CaRMS and include documents, interviews, and ranking programs. This match occurs during residency, typically in the final 1–2 years, and leads to further specialized training after your core residency
Apply to enhanced skills programs (e.g., Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, Palliative Care) through CaRMS to expand scope within Family Medicine.
This match takes place during Family Medicine residency (usually PGY2).
Complete specialty certification examination.
Apply for a license to practice in Canada.
You are now fully authorized to practise independently.
Maintain your certification: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and annual renewal.
Pursue additional training opportunities: fellowship training, research, teaching, or administrative leadership roles.
