Alternative Pathways to Certification in Family Medicine
Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) is a Special Designation of membership from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP). Eligibility for CCFP is granted by the CFPC to those members who have either completed approved residency training in family medicine or who became eligible for certification through a combination of approved training and practise experience. Once eligible, candidates may be granted certification either by successfully completing the Certification Examination in Family Medicine or through one of the following alternative pathways:
Recognized training and certification outside Canada
Credentials-based route to certification in the CFPC without examination, based on recognition of training and certification obtained in international jurisdictions.
Read more about Recognized training and certification outside Canada
Academic certification
Recruitment-based route to certification in the CFPC that assists Canadian faculties of medicine and universities in the recruitment and retention of family medicine specialists as full-time, clinical faculty at the rank of full or associate professor.
In 2022, the CFPC completed the re-evaluation of the four previously approved jurisdictions to ensure they remain comparable with current Canadian expectations. Read the Executive Summary.
Certification and licensure
Members in good standing who are granted certification may use the CCFP designation. Registration or licensure to practise family medicine in Canada is a provincial responsibility and involves a number of different criteria. For licensing information, please contact the local medical regulatory authority.
Maintenance of certification
In order to maintain CCFP status, an individual must continue to be a member of the CFPC and fulfill the College’s maintenance of certification requirements by participating in a number of continuing medical education (CME)/continuing professional development (CPD) activities independently or in groups (scientific meetings and other accredited group activities). Licensing bodies recognize more and more that licensure cannot be for life and requires revalidation. Therefore, candidates must demonstrate that they are keeping up with advances in the practice of family medicine by subscribing to an accredited program of CPD, such as the one offered by the CFPC.
