Canada’s federal government has allocated funds to expedite the licensing process for 200 internationally trained physicians (ITPs) in Ontario.

Health Canada recently announced a $20 million investment to bolster Practice Ready Ontario (PRO), enabling ITPs to attain family medicine licenses through a 12-week clinical field assessment instead of the traditional two-year residency.

The funding also includes a specialized track for French-speaking ITPs, as per Health Canada’s press release.

Under PRO, a proficient ITP can secure a license in less than a year, a significant reduction from the typical three to five years required through other pathways.

To be eligible for PRO, an ITP must be a Canadian permanent resident or citizen and fulfill specific education, work experience, and language proficiency criteria outlined on the program’s official website managed by the Touchstone Institute.

PRO is administered by Touchstone in partnership with the Ontario government and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), the official licensing authority for Ontario physicians.

ITPs licensed through PRO commit to practicing in Ontario by signing a three-year return of service agreement (RSO) and initially work under supervision.

Upon completion of the RSO and passing the CPSO’s Certification Examination in Family Medicine (CFPC), an ITP gains full independence for practice.

Health Canada aims to enhance primary care access in underserved regions and Francophone communities in Ontario through this program, intending to create 50 additional positions annually for four years, with the goal of enabling all participants to practice in Ontario by 2028–2029.

In addition, the government has allocated $11 million towards five projects nationwide to facilitate licensing for ITPs, internationally educated nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists.

This recent announcement signifies a significant step forward in the advancement of ITP licensing in Canada.