Medical Genetics & Genomics: the Practice Eligibility Route

How training is structured

The Royal College sets out the training for Medical Genetics & Genomics in the blocks below. An internationally trained specialist is assessed on whether their own training and practice record is comparable in structure and content.

Required experiences

Specific experiences the Royal College names for this discipline.

• 1.1 A minimum of twenty-four (24) blocks of basic clinical training, normally completed in the PGY1-2 years
• 1.1.1 A minimum of eight (8) blocks of Internal Medicine, including at least two (2) blocks of inpatient rotations outside a critical care unit (Adult Neurology may be substituted for up to two (2) blocks of Internal Medicine)
• 1.1.2 A minimum of eight (8) blocks of Pediatrics, including at least two (2) blocks of inpatient rotations outside a pediatric critical care unit and one (1) block of neonatal intensive care
• 1.1.3 A minimum of two (2) blocks of Maternal-Fetal Medicine or equivalent service providing fetal assessment and management of pregnancies at high risk due to maternal or fetal indications
• 1.1.4 A minimum of one (1) block or longitudinal equivalent focusing on general (non-genetic) counseling and communication skills
• 1.2 A minimum of thirty-six (36) blocks of approved residency in Medical Genetics and Genomics
• 1.2.1 A minimum of two (2) blocks in a cytogenetics laboratory
• 1.2.2 A minimum of two (2) blocks in a molecular genetics laboratory
• 1.2.3 A minimum of two (2) blocks in a biochemical genetics laboratory
• 1.2.4 A minimum of eighteen (18) blocks of Medical Genetics and Genomics, involving the care of a variety of patients of all ages with genetic and metabolic diseases

Flexible or selective components

Where the requirements allow a choice.

• 1.1.5 A maximum of five (5) blocks of elective experiences relevant to Medical Genetics and Genomics, with a maximum of three (3) blocks in Medical Genetics and Genomics
• 1.2.5 A maximum of twelve (12) blocks of research or electives in areas relevant to Medical Genetics and Genomics, as approved by the candidate's program director and by the residency program committee

Common questions

What is the Practice Eligibility Route in Medical Genetics & Genomics?

The Practice Eligibility Route (PER) is the Royal College process by which an internationally trained specialist can be assessed for eligibility to sit the certification examination in Medical Genetics & Genomics without repeating a Canadian residency. The Royal College reads your postgraduate training and practice record against the published Specialty Training Requirements for the discipline.

What training does the Royal College expect in Medical Genetics & Genomics?

The Specialty Training Requirements describe five (5) years of approved residency training. The full block-by-block structure is set out on this page, taken from the Royal College document for this discipline.

Does meeting the training requirements guarantee eligibility?

No. Eligibility is a committee decision made on your individual file, and other factors are considered. This page reproduces the published requirements so you can see how your own training compares before you apply; it is not an eligibility ruling.

Where do I start?

Read the six steps in the PER guide, then have your training mapped against the Specialty Training Requirements before you pay any fees. The free PDF for this specialty carries the steps, the document checklist, and the Medical Genetics & Genomics requirements in one file.

More on the route itself: the full PER guide covers the six steps and the document checklist. Royal College examination dates for every discipline are on the Deadline Radar, and Canadian clinical fellowships in Medical Genetics & Genomics are in the Fellowship Finder.