Applying for a full licence
A full licence permits a physician or surgeon to practise medicine within the scope of their education, qualifications and experience.
Pre-application
Physicians and surgeons should first determine whether they meet CPSBC's licence requirements in the full class.
Applicants can refer to the following to determine if they meet licence requirements:
For physicians and surgeons who do not meet the licence requirements for full class but hold a full unrestricted licence in another Canadian jurisdiction, see the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
As of July 7, 2025, USA-trained physicians and surgeons may be eligible to apply for the full class licence. Read the frequently asked questions.
Application
Applicants who meet the licence requirements in the full – family, full – specialty, or osteopathic class must complete an Application for Medical Registration (AMR) through physiciansapply.ca. This should be completed no more than three months prior to their intended start date in BC.
Applicants who hold an active unrestricted full licence in another Canadian province or territory, who do not already have an account on physiciansapply.ca and do not wish to create an account, can email licensing@cpsbc.ca to request for a PDF application form.
Applicants who meet the licence requirements in the full – podiatry class can email licensing@cpsbc.ca to request an application package.
Requirement and eligibility
CPSBC reviews all applications and assigns a file manager to an applicant. The file manager will email the applicant with the secondary application package.
Applicants must meet the following application requirements:
- provide a certificate of professional conduct from the regulatory or licensing authority in each jurisdiction where the applicant has held medical licensure or trained/practiced—this must be dated within 60 days from the intended start date of practice in BC
- provide reference letters as per CPSBC's instruction
- meet CPSBC’s English language proficiency requirements
Fees
- Full – family, full – specialty, osteopathic
The application fee for submission of the AMR through physiciansapply.ca is C$665, plus additional fees charged by the Medical Council of Canada. - Full – podiatric surgeon
C$665 application fee