The Quebec restrictive permit for internationally trained family physicians

The restrictive permit is a specific licence that limits practice to authorized health care institutions, prohibiting independent or private practice. It is valid for one year and can be renewed annually. The permit also restricts the professional acts authorized under it. Clinicians holding this permit may convert it to a “regular” permit upon meeting specific requirements. However, the permit can be revoked if the holder resigns from or is removed from the Roll of the Order, loses privileges in their health care institution, or ceases to practise.

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

• Practised competently in the area of medical expertise for which the restrictive permit application is being submitted for 12 months during the three years preceding the application

• A pass result on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE)
  or the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 CK

• Re-entry: Where an application has previously been refused, the Committee on Admission to Practice may authorize the candidate to continue the process if they demonstrate that they have addressed the deficiencies identified.

• Completed postgraduate training that is generally equivalent to Quebec’s requirements for the intended specialty

• Hold a specialist’s certificate or equivalent in the relevant discipline

• Successfully completed an assessment period

• Participation in the ALDO-Québec educational activity before permit issuance

Practice in Quebec requires proof of French language proficiency or a pass result on the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) examination. If you do not plan to meet the French requirement, this route does not apply to you.

1. Pass one of the examinations from the requirements section above.

2. Obtain sponsorship with a health care institution through Recrutement Santé Québec (RSQ).

   As part of sponsorship, you sign a financial aid agreement with the sponsoring institution and Santé Québec. It funds the CMQ's evaluation of the application, the organisation and supervision of the assessment period, and a flat allowance during the assessment period, and it commits you to practise for three years in the territory served by the sponsoring institution. If you do not hold permanent residency or Canadian citizenship, you must obtain a temporary work permit before starting the assessment period (Gouvernement du Québec).

3. Submit an application for medical registration and the required documents (documents vary, see details at the reference link below).

4. Review of the complete file by the Committee on Admission to Practice (CAP) that meets about every 7 weeks. A decision will be available within 15 business days of the committee’s meeting. If an application is successful, it will move to step 5.

5. Provide proof of French language proficiency or have obtained a pass result on the Office québécois de la langue française examination.

6. Succeed an assessment period of 12 weeks (preceded by a week of observation).

7. Review of the complete file by the CAP, including result of assessment period. The committee makes the decision to authorize the issuance of the restrictive permit.

Once the permit is authorized, you pay the permit issuance fee at the CMQ's current rates.