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College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario

416-967-2600

www.cpso.on.ca

feedback@cpso.on.ca

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) is the governing body for physicians and surgeons in Ontario. The Office of the Fairness Commissioner (OFC) oversees the registration practices of the college to ensure that they are transparent, objective, impartial and fair for anyone who wants to practise as physician and/or surgeon in this province.

Registration Practices Assessment Report, 2016

This summary of the assessment includes recommendations for improvement.

2023

The Fair Registration Practices (FRP) report for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is publicly available and may be accessed by clicking CPSO - Registration Reports which will take you directly to their website.

2022

The Fair Registration Practices (FRP) report for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is publicly available and may be accessed by clicking ofc-report-2022.pdf (cpso.on.ca) which will take you directly to their website.

2021

The Fair Registration Practices (FRP) report for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is publicly available and may be accessed by clicking ofc-report-2021.pdf (cpso.on.ca) which will take you directly to their website.

2020

2019

Physicians and Surgeons_Fair Registration Practices Reports-2020.pdf

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2020
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	710	441	74	1508	0	2733
Applicants who became members	251	194	37	739	0	1221

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2018
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281
Applicants who became members	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2017
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011
Applicants who became members	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2016
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926
Applicants who became members	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2015
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984
Applicants who became members	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2014
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667
Applicants who became members	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2013
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441
Applicants who became members	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2012
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149
Applicants who became members	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2011
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973
Applicants who became members	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2010
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,380	716	90	1,522	0	3,708
Applicants who became members	1,392	716	90	1,522	0	3,720

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,420	648	84	1,586	0	3,738
Applicants who became members	1,380	638	84	1,536	0	3,638

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,262	678	74	1,553	0	3,567
Applicants who became members	1,262	668	74	1,503	0	3,467

2019

Physicians and Surgeons_Fair Registration Practices Reports--2019.pdf

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2019
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187
Applicants who became members	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2018
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281
Applicants who became members	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2017
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011
Applicants who became members	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2016
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926
Applicants who became members	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2015
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984
Applicants who became members	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2014
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667
Applicants who became members	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2013
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441
Applicants who became members	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2012
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149
Applicants who became members	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2011
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973
Applicants who became members	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2010
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,380	716	90	1,522	0	3,708
Applicants who became members	1,392	716	90	1,522	0	3,720

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,420	648	84	1,586	0	3,738
Applicants who became members	1,380	638	84	1,536	0	3,638

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,262	678	74	1,553	0	3,567
Applicants who became members	1,262	668	74	1,503	0	3,467

2018

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2019
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187
Applicants who became members	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187

Physicians and Surgeons_Fair Registration Practices Reports--2018.pdf

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2018
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281
Applicants who became members	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2017
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011
Applicants who became members	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2016
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926
Applicants who became members	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2015
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984
Applicants who became members	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2014
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667
Applicants who became members	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2013
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441
Applicants who became members	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2012
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149
Applicants who became members	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2011
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973
Applicants who became members	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2010
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,380	716	90	1,522	0	3,708
Applicants who became members	1,392	716	90	1,522	0	3,720

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,420	648	84	1,586	0	3,738
Applicants who became members	1,380	638	84	1,536	0	3,638

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,262	678	74	1,553	0	3,567
Applicants who became members	1,262	668	74	1,503	0	3,467

2017

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2019
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187
Applicants who became members	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2018
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281
Applicants who became members	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281

Physicians and Surgeons_Fair Registration Practices Reports-2017.pdf

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2017
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011
Applicants who became members	1,754	1,137	126	1,994	0	5,011

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2016
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926
Applicants who became members	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2015
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984
Applicants who became members	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2014
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667
Applicants who became members	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2013
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441
Applicants who became members	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2012
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149
Applicants who became members	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2011
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973
Applicants who became members	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2010
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,380	716	90	1,522	0	3,708
Applicants who became members	1,392	716	90	1,522	0	3,720

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,420	648	84	1,586	0	3,738
Applicants who became members	1,380	638	84	1,536	0	3,638

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,262	678	74	1,553	0	3,567
Applicants who became members	1,262	668	74	1,503	0	3,467

2016

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2019
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187
Applicants who became members	1,886	1,116	111	2,074	0	5,187

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2018
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training	Total
New applications received	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281
Applicants who became members	1,919	1,127	123	2,112	0	5,281

Please contact the College directly.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2016
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926
Applicants who became members	1,722	1,137	96	1,971	0	4,926

2015

Please contact the College directly.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2015
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984
Applicants who became members	1,761	1,084	162	1,977	0	4,984

2014

Please contact the College directly.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2014
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667
Applicants who became members	1,678	1,007	112	1,870	0	4,667

2013

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2013

Registration Practices Assessment Report — Summary (Physicians and Surgeons)

Registration Practices Assessment Report — Overview (Physicians and Surgeons)

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2013
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441
Applicants who became members	1,646	892	110	1,793	0	4,441

2012

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2012

Registration Practices Assessment Report — Summary (Physicians and Surgeons)

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2012
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149
Applicants who became members	1,546	822	104	1,677	0	4,149

2011

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2011

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2011
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973
Applicants who became members	1,541	698	106	1,628	0	3,973

2010

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2010

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2010
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,380	716	90	1,522	0	3,708
Applicants who became members	1,392	716	90	1,522	0	3,720

2009

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2009
Audit Report

Registration Processes: The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) introduced two routes to CFPC certification without examination – one for family physicians with an established practice in Canada, and the other for graduates of family medicine training systems in international jurisdictions recognized by the CFPC. Late in 2009, the CPSO passed a new registration policy recognizing these two new routes.

Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA): An MRA is an agreement between organizations in different jurisdictions. Each organization validates/accepts the licence/certificate granted by the other. The CPSO entered into an MRA with the medical regulatory authority in Quebec, the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ). Under this agreement the CPSO and CMQ recognize one another's qualifications for independent practice. Physicians must still apply for a licence and complete credentialing requirements, but the agreement enables a more streamlined credentialing process. The CPSO–CMQ agreement marks the first such province-to-province MRA entered into by the CPSO.

For a description of all OFC-monitored developments for this profession for 2009, see the 2009-2010 Annual Report.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2009
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,420	648	84	1,586	0	3,738
Applicants who became members	1,380	638	84	1,536	0	3,638

2008

Fair Registration Practices (FRP) Report, 2008

In October 2008, CPSO notified the OFC that the previous summer its council had approved a new policy that established four new "pathways" to registration for medical graduates trained in other Canadian and in international jurisdictions. These pathways were numbered 1 to 4. The CPSO further advised the OFC that it had developed, and was circulating to stakeholders and the OFC for comment, two additional pathways, numbered 5 and 6.

Pathway 5 defines an "approved" jurisdiction for the purposes of the registration of an international medical graduate (IMG) as one with a postgraduate medical education system for non-family-medicine specialists that has been approved by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). At present, the RCPSC-approved jurisdictions are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Pathway 6 addresses the registration of IMGs with medical degrees from unapproved jurisdictions – that is, those with postgraduate training that has not been approved by the RCPSC. In order to be eligible for registration, these applicants must meet all the requirements for an Independent Practice Certificate and have five or more continuous years of independent practice in Canada.

In its December 2008 response to the college, the OFC expressed two concerns about Pathways 5 and 6. First, Pathway 5 raises the issue of fairness, because the RCPSC-approved jurisdictions do not include four of the CPSO's top five "intake" countries for internationally trained applicants (see Figure 5 on page 28). Second, Pathway 6 raises the issue of transparency. It is unclear how applicants can fulfil the requirement to have five or more continuous years of independent practice in Canada when their medical degrees and postgraduate training have not been approved by the RCPSC. The OFC recommended that the CPSO provide Pathway 6 applicants with additional, clear information about how they can satisfy the practice requirement.

Although the OFC was not asked to comment on Pathways 1 to 4, it included observations about them in its response to the CPSO. These pathways, which went into effect on December 1, 2008, are intended to fast-track the registration of physicians trained in other Canadian jurisdictions and in the United States. The OFC welcomed Pathways 1 to 4 as positive steps towards improving entry to the profession for these applicants. It pointed out, however, that Pathways 1 to 4 do not address the issues faced by qualified applicants already in Ontario. Rather, they appear to focus on fast-tracking new physicians at the expense of those who have been in the province for some time. The latter will fall further behind, as their qualifications are no longer considered current.

The OFC also noted that qualified applicants already in Ontario represent an important source of talent – they have valuable skills, and could help relieve the province's shortage of doctors. The OFC suggested that it is important to recognize these applicants, regardless of where they were trained, and to give them fair consideration as well.

Successful completion of approved residency training is a key requirement for obtaining an Independent Practice Certificate. The OFC has identified access to an approved residency program as a significant barrier for IMGs pursuing registration. Providing alternatives for these individuals would improve the CPSO's registration processes. The OFC recommended that the CPSO explore alternatives to the residency program to provide qualified applicants with options for satisfying the residency requirement.

Applications to Practise Processed by the CPSO in 2008
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Jurisdiction Where Applicants Received Their Training					Total
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31	Ontario	Other Canadian Provinces	USA	Other International	Unknown	Total
New applications received	1,262	678	74	1,553	0	3,567
Applicants who became members	1,262	668	74	1,503	0	3,467

2007

During the fall and winter of 2007-2008, the OFC undertook a study of the CPSO to understand its 2007 registration practices and establish baseline data and information. PDF

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