Job requirements General Practitioner (GP) in Canada
Find out what you typically need to work as a general practitioner (GP) in Canada. These requirements are applicable to all General practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102).
Employment requirements
This is what you typically need for the job.
- A bachelor's degree or in Quebec, completion of a college program and one year of pre-medicine university studies is usually required.
- Graduation from an approved medical school and two to three years of family medicine residency training are required.
- Completion of the qualifying examinations of the Medical Council of Canada or the Collège des médecins du Québec and licensing by the provincial or territorial licensing authority are required.
Professional certification and licensing
You might need to get a certification and/or license from a regulatory authority (or become registered as an apprentice) before you start working. Find out if this occupation is regulated and contact the regulatory authority to learn about the certification and/or licensing process.
Get your foreign credentials recognized in Canada
If you were trained as a physician or specialist physician in another country, you will need to obtain a professional certification before you can practice this occupation in Canada.
As a newcomer, if you want to work in a regulated occupation that requires a professional license or certification, you have to request an assessment of the training, education and/or work experience that you obtained in another country to verify if your qualifications are recognized in Canada. This process is called foreign credential recognition.
The first step for foreign-trained physicians and specialist physicians looking to work in Canada is to contact the Medical Council of Canada.
Did you know?
Having your qualifications recognized and obtaining a professional license or certification in Canada can take time, money, and effort. If you need help with this process, you can:
- Get access to free newcomer services that can support you in having your credentials recognized and getting certified in Canada.
- Find loans and support services that you may be eligible for.
- Learn about the foreign credential
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Québec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Do you want to work in another province or territory?
If you are already certified to work in a regulated occupation in your province or territory, it will be easier for you to have your certification recognized in another province or territory. See the Workers Mobility's website to learn more.
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