Medical Council of Canada Phase Out the MCCEE for Easier Entry of Foreign Doctors into Canada

Canada is a country located in the northern part of North America, and a lot of foreign-trained medical graduates dream of migrating there to start a better life for themselves and their families. Canada is not only developed, but the country also ranks among the world's highest in international measurements of government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, economic freedom, and education.

Medical practice in Canada

The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) provides Licentiate, a uniform qualification to practice medicine, recognized across Canada. The MCC grants a qualification in medicine known as the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) to graduate physicians who have satisfied the eligibility requirements and passed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Parts I and II. The Medical Council registers candidates who have been granted the LMCC in the Canadian Medical Register.

For eligibility to sit the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I, graduates of medical schools outside Canada and the United States, referred to as International Medical Graduates (IMGs), as well as graduates from U.S. Schools of Osteopathic Medicine must first pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE). IMGs with specialty certification in Canada or the U.S. may be granted an exemption from the Evaluating Examination.

Phasing Out the MCCEE

On 1 November 2017, the Medical Council of Canada announced its plan to phase out the MCCEE; and on 27 February 2018, it published on its official website they were "...pleased to announce a more streamlined assessment process for international medical graduates and international medical students."

The MCC stated that starting in 2019, it will be delivering the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I in Canada and internationally in over 80 countries, up to five times per year. The announcement, as shown below, is currently published here:

Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination
Please note that the last session of the MCCEE will be held in November 2018. The deadline to apply to the last session is September 30, 2018.

Starting in 2019, we will be delivering the MCCQE Part I in Canada and internationally in over 80 countries up to five times per year. Once the MCCQE Part I is offered internationally, all candidates will be challenging this examination directly, without first having to pass the MCCEE. As a result of this change, we will be phasing-out the MCCEE.

The MCCQE Part I is currently offered twice per year in Canada only. Internationally trained candidates must first pass the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) before being eligible to apply for the MCCQE Part I.

Once the MCCQE Part I is offered internationally, the Medical Council of Canada will be phasing out the MCCEE. November 2018 will be the last session. Candidates will have until mid-November 2018 to take the MCCEE.

Implications for IMGs

With the streamlining of this assessment pathway, international medical graduates (IMGs) will have one less examination to take when entering the Canadian medical system.

Candidates applying to the MCCQE Part I in 2019 will no longer require a pass on the MCCEE. The last MCCEE exam will take place in November 2018.

International medical students may apply to take the MCCQE Part I within the last 15 months of their expected date of graduation. This does not affect international medical graduates who, having already graduated, can take the examination at any time if they are otherwise eligible.

What does this mean for the 2019 CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match?

The MCCEE is still an entry requirement for international medical graduates applying to the 2019 CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match.

Candidates taking the MCCEE for the 2019 Match should take the exam no later than the September 2018 session. Results from the November 2018 session will be accepted by CaRMS but will not be released in time for file review in the first iteration. Thus, please be aware that programs may not accept them.

Further information for IMGs

Please note that the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination will continue to be offered every year in Canada in March and September. In anticipation of the upcoming phase-out of the MCCEE, the MCC has eliminated the requirement for candidates to pass the MCCEE before applying to the NAC Examination.

To consult the anticipated examination schedule for 2018, 2019 and 2020, click here.

Candidates interested in applying to the MCCQE Part I in 2019 are encouraged to sign up to the official MCC distribution list to receive the application notification, which will be sent in fall 2018. Please visit the MCCQE Part I page, and use the button at the top of the page to subscribe.

If you are interested in learning more about key developments related to MCC examination modifications, as well as new preparatory resources that the MCC will be making available for candidates challenging the new MCCQE Part I, we invite you to subscribe to the official MCC Assessment Evolution e-bulletin.

Source:
The above article is reproduced from two different materials entitled 'Phasing out of the MCCEE' and 'Phasing out of the MCCEE FAQs' as provided by the Medical Council of Canada here and here respectively. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.