How to become a Medical Doctor in Canada

We are sure that you are career-oriented and when it comes to a secure career, a high-paying job, a settled life and an uplifting career, becoming a medical doctor in Canada is the best choice you could make. But how? How will you start and how will you reach that apex of your career? This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the steps involved, including education, exams, and residency training to become a doctor in Canada. Whether you’re a high school student or considering a career change, understanding the path to becoming a doctor in Canada is essential.

Roadmap for becoming a Doctor in Canada

1. Post Secondary Education

2. Medical Degree

3. MCCQE1 exam

4. Residency Training 

5. LMCC Licence

Phew! That seems to be a long journey, isn’t it? Well, it is. But don’t worry we have got all the information here for you to become a doctor in Canada. 

So, let’s begin by telling you about the process of becoming a doctor in Canada shortly and sweetly. 

Step-1 Obtaining a University Degree

The first step is to get a university degree. Medical schools in Canada do not require a bachelor’s degree from the specific stream but completing it with subjects like Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Physics will always give you an upper hand in MCAT. However, there is a list of prerequisite courses by medical schools and most of them revolve around the above-mentioned subjects only. So if you are aiming for specific medical schools, be assured that you go through its prerequisite subjects. 

How to get an advantage over others?

1. You may volunteer in various healthcare departments while obtaining your university degree. However, this is not mandatory but it will help you to make better decisions in your career. 
2. Take Science Subjects in your university degree

Step-2 Take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test)

MCAT is an exam which will help you to become a doctor in Canada. It’s an entrance test to get admission to one of the 17 Canadian Medical Schools. Your objective is to score as high as you can to get a seat in your favourite school. You must Familiarize yourself with the prerequisites of your target medical schools.

In this test, you will be evaluated on science subjects like Chemistry, Physics and Biology. You have to clear the test out of the 3 attempts you get in a single testing year, 4 attempts in 2 consecutive years and it can be taken up to 7 times in a lifetime. 

How to get an advantage over others?

1. Score as high as you can
2. Thoroughly go through the prerequisites of the Medical School you want to get into

Step-3 Take a degree from 1 of the 17 prestigious Canadian Medical Schools

Now that you have taken the MCAT to become a dr in Canada, it’s time to apply to Medical schools in Canada. You need to finish your Medical School program from 1 of the 17 medical Schools present in Canada. Your program will last for 4 years and you will be more theoretical in the first 2 years and more practically working with patients under the supervision of a senior doctor in the latter 2 years. 

Attending the Medical program will earn you a degree as well as a thought process of what kind of residency program you want to take after you graduate from medical school.

Step-4 Pass MCCQE1 (Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam)

Just getting a degree is not enough if you ask us how to become a medical doctor in Canada. To earn a licence, you need to pass the MCCQE1 which is a mandatory licensing examination. It tests the knowledge of the students of what they have learned so far in their medical school and whether they are fit to treat patients and pursue their careers further in the medical field.

Step-5 Residency Training

Now, you are even closer to your dream of becoming a medical doctor in Canada. The next step is to apply to the residency programs through CaRMS. However, you must ensure to see the perquisite of the programs because some programs might have specific requirements to be met. 

Most of the residential programs require from 1 to 7 years to complete but to obtain an LMCC, a minimum of 1 year has to be completed. The residency programs require rigorous working hours and endless pressure to make you fit to step into the real medical world. Residency involves intense training and long hours, preparing you for independent practice.

Step-6 Become LMCC (Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada)

This is the final step to be taken to wear that white coat officially out in the real world in your journey to becoming the best doctor in Canada. To get LMCC as a Canadian resident, you need to clear MCCQE1 exam and complete at least 12 months of acceptable clinical medical postgraduate training. 

This will earn you a certificate and the honour of finally completing your dream of becoming a doctor in Canada.

Conclusion

The journey of becoming a doctor in Canada takes at least 10 years of rigorous years to complete. The Canadian system wants more experienced doctors to finally lay hands on the patient’s problems and step into the real world. The journey will check your persistence, emotional intelligence and ability to handle pressure under difficult situations. The mo