PRA-NL: the Practice Ready Assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador

Practice Ready Assessment – Newfoundland and Labrador (PRA-NL) is a 12-week clinical field assessment (CFA) during which a candidate is placed on the Education Register of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador (CPSNL), and is assessed for practice readiness under a provisional medical licence in family medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Before applying to PRA-NL, candidates must obtain a letter from CPSNL confirming eligibility for a provisional licence in family medicine (this requires a pass result on the the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) or acceptable alternative)

• All required documentation, including exam scores, must be submitted and verified via physiciansapply.ca at the time of application

• Proceeding through one phase does not guarantee progression to the next or selection for the clinical field assessment (CFA)

• For the 2026 intake, 12-week clinical field assessments are tentatively scheduled for Fall 2026; program dates are subject to change (PRA-NL important dates)

PRA-NL offers two pathways. Its Academic Committee decides which one suits each applicant, from their training, their experience as most responsible physician and their other qualifications (PRA-NL: What is a PRA?).

• Family Medicine, Full Scope Primary Care. Assessed in the office or community clinic, the emergency department, hospital in-patient care, long-term care and virtual care. Passing may lead to a non-restricted provisional licence in family medicine.

• Family Medicine, Office/Community Clinic Based Only Primary Care. Assessed in the office or community clinic only. Passing leads to a provisional licence in family medicine restricted to the scope of the assessment.

• Must have a valid letter from CPSNL verifying eligibility for a provisional licence in family medicine

• Pass results on the MCCQE (or the USMLE), on the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination (March 2013 onwards) or a historical pass on the MCCQE Part II, which is no longer held, and on the Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination. You book the TDM yourself through the MCC; PRA-NL no longer accepts applications without a TDM pass.

• No more than one prior unsuccessful attempt in Canadian PRA programs.

• Training, set by CPSNL for the provisional licence in family medicine: at least two years of family medicine postgraduate training, or one to two years of training that is the accepted route to family or general medicine where you trained plus at least two years of independent practice. For applications received on or after October 1, 2026, the shorter route also requires core rotations: 8 weeks of family medicine and 4 weeks each of surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry (CPSNL policy). If one of those rotations is missing, CPSNL may count practice instead: each year of independent practice as a family physician or general practitioner that included that area counts as four weeks of training, for up to three missing rotations.

• Currency: at least 450 hours of family medicine clinical practice within the previous three years, which is also CPSNL's minimum for a provisional licence (CPSNL currency policy). Family physicians with additional specialist qualifications must practise at least 20 hours a week in family medicine. Applicants with no currency beyond that minimum are significantly less competitive.

• Consent to share your application information.

• Who does not need a PRA: CPSNL exempts applicants who completed a practice ready assessment in another province to its satisfaction, who completed family medicine training in Canada or hold or are eligible for CCFP certification, and those who held a CPSNL provisional licence in family medicine and apply again within five years.

Additional qualifications considered

• Postgraduate training or rotations focused specifically on family medicine

• Up-to-date clinical certifications: BLS, ATLS, ACLS, PALS and similar

• Consistent practice experience in family medicine as the most responsible physician, with no major interruptions or gaps

• Experience as the independent most responsible physician in an emergency room in a rural or remote location

Phase 1: Preliminary assessment

• Eligibility to work in Canada is required for all PRA-NL applicants; supporting documentation will be requested (PRA-NL screening and selection)

• A pass result on the Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination is required for all applicants

Phase 2: Selection process

• Selection interview conducted virtually; applicants are responsible for associated costs

• Academic committee review: reviews each complete application file, recommends who is selected for a 12-week CFA, and decides which of the two assessment options fits each applicant

• Final selection: If recommended, confirmation of candidate’s commitment to move forward with the CFA and signing of Candidate Agreement

• PRA-NL forwards the candidate’s curriculum vitae (CV) to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) for sponsorship for the 12-week CFA

Phase 3: Candidate orientation

• Mandatory completion of online continuing professional development (CPD) modules and mandatory attendance of virtual program orientation prior to CFA start date.

• NLHS site specific orientation prior to CFA start date.

• Criminal record and vulnerable sector check, proof of CMPA coverage, and continued eligibility to work in Canada and for CPSNL licensure. Candidates pay all associated costs.

Phase 4: 12-week CFA

• Conducted in the candidate’s NLHS zone of sponsorship with direct and indirect supervision

• Assessors evaluate patient care performance using PRA-NL’s assessment tools

• Candidates take part in after-hours and on-call duties

• Documentation: Complete all documentation required by PRA-NL, CPSNL, and NLHS

• Licensure continuation: Ensure ongoing eligibility with CPSNL

• Insurance: Provide proof of Canadian Medical Protective Association coverage

• Orientation: Complete PRA-NL candidate orientation requirements

• Costs: NLHS may cover the Candidate CFA fees. The Return of Service (ROS) is negotiated by NLHS with the candidate, outside of Memorial University, Faculty of Medicine