Canada Invests $20 Million to Fast-Track Licensing for Internationally Trained Physicians in Ontario

Canada đang tiếp tục tháo gỡ rào cản để các bác sĩ được đào tạo ở nước ngoài tham gia hệ thống y tế. Ngày 7/10/2026, Chính phủ liên bang công bố khoản tài trợ 20 triệu CAD nhằm mở rộng chương trình Practice Ready Ontario (PRO), giúp các bác sĩ gia đình đủ điều kiện rút ngắn thời gian đánh giá năng lực và tiến tới cấp phép hành nghề tại Ontario.

Chương trình hướng đến mục tiêu bổ sung nhân lực y tế tại các khu vực đang thiếu bác sĩ, đặc biệt là miền Bắc Ontario, vùng nông thôn và cộng đồng nói tiếng Pháp.

1. Canada invests $20 million to expand the CAD Practice Ready Ontario program.

According to an announcement by Health Canada on October 7, 2026, a C$20 million grant will support the creation of 50 additional annual positions over four years for internationally trained family physicians participating in the Practice Ready Ontario program.

The goal is to have up to 200 new family physicians ready to practice in Ontario by the 2028–2029 period.

In addition to increasing the number of positions, the program will feature a dedicated stream for French-speaking family physicians. This is part of an effort to improve access to primary healthcare in communities facing a shortage of medical personnel.

The federal government also announced an additional C$11 million for five other projects across Canada to support the licensing process for internationally trained health professionals, including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.

2. How does Practice Ready Ontario help internationally trained physicians shorten the licensing process?

Practice Ready Ontario (PRO) is a competency assessment program for internationally trained family physicians, designed to determine whether they are ready to practice in Ontario.

Instead of completing the entire residency training program in Canada, eligible candidates may participate in a 12-week clinical practice competency assessment process.

According to the program details, the entire process—from application submission to the start of the professional practice commitment period—can take less than a year for suitable candidates. In contrast, other licensing pathways can take anywhere from three to five years, depending on the specific case.

However, a distinction must be made between the assessment period and the licensing period. The 12-week phase represents the clinical assessment period, not the entire process. Candidates must still meet the requirements regarding qualifications, experience, examinations, and relevant licensing procedures.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

3. Eligibility requirements for the Practice Ready Ontario program

According to the requirements published on the Touchstone Institute's official website, candidates must meet various criteria regarding residency status, medical training, clinical experience, and professional competence.

Residency status requirements

Candidates must be Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents (PR) at the time of application.

This means that the PRO program is not a direct immigration pathway for doctors currently abroad who do not hold Canadian permanent resident status or citizenship.

Qualification and experience requirements

Candidates must hold a medical degree from an accredited institution as required by the program and meet the criteria regarding postgraduate training and professional experience as a family physician or general practitioner.

Some important requirements include:

• A total of at least 48 months of postgraduate training and independent practice experience in family medicine or general practice, in accordance with program criteria.
• Possess at least 960 hours of clinical practice experience within the last three years, of which a minimum of 720 hours must involve direct patient care.
• Meet the requirements for core specialty clinical training rotations.
• Meet the certification, examination, and professional credentialing requirements of the Medical Council of Canada.

Language requirements

Candidates must demonstrate English proficiency as required by the program. Acceptable forms of proof may include prior education or professional practice conducted in English, or results from an appropriate language proficiency test.

Proficiency in French can be an advantage for the program track dedicated to French-speaking doctors, but it does not replace other mandatory requirements.

Candidates should thoroughly check the criteria and required documents before submitting their applications.

4. Doctors must commit to practicing in Ontario for three years.

A key aspect of the PRO program is the requirement to sign a service commitment agreement—known in English as a Return of Service (ROS) agreement—prior to commencing the clinical assessment.

Under this agreement, the physician must commit to practicing in Ontario for three years in accordance with the program's applicable conditions.

During this period, the physician practices under supervision. Completion of the clinical assessment does not automatically grant a license for fully independent practice.

Physicians must complete their service commitment and meet the certification and examination requirements of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) and relevant professional bodies in order to proceed to independent practice.

The CPSO is the body responsible for regulating and licensing physicians in Ontario.

5. Canada expands immigration opportunities for international doctors.

In addition to expediting the recognition of professional qualifications, Canada is also implementing immigration measures to attract experienced physicians.

In 2026, Canada launched a dedicated permanent residence pathway for physicians with work experience in the country. According to the article, the government had invited 891 physicians to apply for permanent residence under this pathway by that time.

Previously, in December 2025, the federal government also announced support measures for the healthcare workforce, including an additional 5,000 spots for physicians under provincial and territorial nominee programs for permanent residence, as well as a 14-day work permit processing mechanism for eligible physicians nominated by a province or territory.

These policies demonstrate that Canada is pursuing a dual approach: supporting qualified doctors in obtaining practice licenses and expanding permanent residency opportunities for candidates who meet immigration criteria.

However, obtaining a medical license and securing permanent resident status are two separate processes. Qualifying for the PRO program does not automatically guarantee permanent residency; conversely, holding permanent resident status does not equate to immediate authorization to practice medicine.

6. What do overseas-trained doctors need to prepare if they want to work in Canada?

For doctors considering a career in Canada, preparation should begin by addressing two main sets of requirements.

First are the professional requirements: verifying degree recognition, postgraduate training records, professional practice experience, examination results, and the licensing standards of the province where one intends to work.

The second aspect concerns immigration requirements: determining current residency status, eligibility for permanent residency, and programs suited to one's personal experience.

If you are targeting Ontario, you can look into the Practice Ready Ontario program and the requirements published by the Touchstone Institute. If you plan to work in another province, you should check the regulations of the local licensing authority, as most healthcare professions are regulated at the provincial or territorial level.

You should not select a pathway based solely on estimated processing times. Practical experience, professional specialization, residency status, and the ability to meet examination requirements can all influence the suitability of each program.

Conclusion

The C$20 million investment to expand Practice Ready Ontario marks a step forward in efforts to address the physician shortage in the province. While the program creates additional opportunities for internationally trained family physicians, it still requires candidates to meet rigorous standards regarding professional qualifications, experience, and licensure.

For international physicians wishing to work and settle in Canada, it is crucial to develop a roadmap that integrates medical qualification recognition with immigration requirements, while also verifying information directly with the relevant authorities before making a decision.