PRA-NB: the Practice Ready Assessment in New Brunswick

Requirements and how the program works

The PRA-NB program provides an alternate route to licensure for internationally trained physicians in family medicine offered through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick (CPSNB), with the support of the Government of New Brunswick and the collaboration of multiple provincial and national partners. PRA-NB is the only fully bilingual PRA program, providing candidates with the option to complete the assessment in either a fully English or French stream.

Requirements

• Medical degree from a school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools

• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or legally entitled to work in New Brunswick

• Training and practice experience:

• Option 1: Two years of postgraduate training + one year of independent practice

• Option 2: One year of postgraduate training + two years of independent practice

• Core rotations: Have successfully completed seven core rotations during postgraduate training (or internship program) in the following fields:

• A minimum of eight weeks in family medicine or general practice,

  AND

• A minimum of four weeks in each of: surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics / gynecology, and psychiatry

• Currency of practice: Minimum 450 hours of clinical practice in the last three years

• Be of good character: Proof of professional conduct, including certificates, references, criminal record check, etc.

• Exams: A pass result on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE), preference given to those who have also passed the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination

• PRA attempts: No more than one unsuccessful attempt in a Canadian PRA program in the last five years

Application process

Step 1: Application

• Continuous application process with a $450 non-refundable fee

• Submit application through physiciansapply.ca with all necessary documentation and fees

• Eligible candidates will be informed of their status and next steps

Step 2: Selection

• Suitability review: Applicant file’s will be reviewed and assessed against suitability criteria to be selected to move forward to the interview process

• Interview: Virtual multiple mini interview (MMI) conducted to assess suitability for practising family medicine in New Brunswick

• Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination: Required if not previously passed

• RHA matching process: Candidates selected after interview will pass a secondary interview with regional health authorities (RHA), who will recommend suitable candidates to PRA-NB

• Final selection: Based on examination results, suitability review, interview scores, and RHA matching

Step 3: Assessment

• Selected candidates will complete a program orientation and an Observership period, followed by a clinical field assessment. Candidates will spend two 6-week periods under the supervision of experienced family physician assessors. These assessors will observe, evaluate, and provide feedback on the candidates’ clinical and non-clinical skills relevant to family medicine.

Step 4: Return of service

• Candidates who successfully complete the clinical field assessment will be required to enter into a three-year agreement with the Department of Health. Return of service communities will be designated according to emerging needs within the Regional Health Authority Organizations.