CFPC — Family Medicine
Family Medicine certification is awarded by the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Internationally trained family physicians reach it through one of two routes: a Practice Ready Assessment in a participating province, or the practice-eligible examination route.
Practice Ready Assessment route: Medical Degree → NAC Examination → TDM Examination → Provincial PRA (approximately 12 weeks) → Provisional Licence → CFPC Certification Examination → Certification.
Practice-eligible route: Medical Degree → 5 years' full-time family practice → CLASS Programme → CFPC Certification Examination → Certification.
Routes to Certification
| Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residency-eligible | Completion of a CFPC-accredited Family Medicine residency — a minimum of 24 months |
| Practice-eligible | A minimum of five years of full-time active family practice, including two years continuous immediately before application |
| PRA credit | The five years reduce to four with one year of continuous Canadian practice, for NAC-PRA-standard assessments from 1 January 2017 |
| Recognised jurisdictions | United States (ACGME) · Australia (AMC-accredited GP vocational training) · Ireland (ICGP) · United Kingdom (GMC) |
Practice Ready Assessment
The PRA takes approximately 12 weeks. Nine provinces run a PRA; four jurisdictions do not participate.
| Province | Licensing position |
|---|---|
| Alberta | CPSA places PRA completers on the Provisional Register. Canadian certification gives access to the General Register — but without it, a candidate may complete up to two Competency Assessments instead |
| Ontario | Provisional certificate, three-year Return of Service with the Ministry of Health, supervision removable on certification |
| British Columbia | Provisional–family class. CFPC certification by examination within five years of BC licensure, running continuously regardless of time actually practised |
| Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia | CFPC certification is the foundational standard, or a valid PRA path or equivalent limited licence |
| Quebec | Localised certification or specialised recognition governed by the Collège des médecins du Québec |
Alberta is an exception to the general rule that full independent licensure requires CFPC or RCPSC certification.
The Examination
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| SAMP | Short Answer Management Problems. Four hours. Transitioning: up to 25% MCQ or short-menu items from April 2026, all cases from 2027 |
| SOO | Five Simulated Office Orals, 15 minutes each, delivered virtually through risr/ |
| Retake rule | As published by the CFPC |
The CLASS Programme must be completed within two years of the exam. Failure to do so withdraws exam eligibility.
Enhanced Skills
The Family Medicine/Enhanced Skills Match (FM/ES match) is run through CaRMS.
Category 2 programmes have local, university-based competencies defined for assessment purposes, and residents completing them are not eligible for a Certificate of Added Competence. That matters when choosing a programme.
Fees
| Item | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Certification examination — residency-eligible, 2026 | $4,478 |
| Certification examination — practice-eligible, 2026 | $5,972 |
| Non-refundable component of the practice-eligible application fee | $500, in effect since 1 July 2025 — part of the exam fee, not an additional charge |
| CLASS Programme | $1,261 |
| 2027 fees | Not published. CFPC publishes estimated fees about one year before the Spring exam |
The CFPC publishes one annual figure, not separate spring and fall sittings.
What we offer
CFPC Family Medicine preparation covering the four-hour SAMP paper and the five 15-minute Simulated Office Orals, with case practice, communication skills work and mentorship.