Working in Other Provinces – Tips for Doctors

        Whether you’re considering a move to another province for work, play, or just to see a new part of the country, there are a few things to consider if you’re looking to move. In Canada, doctors in each province are regulated by a different medical regulatory body, and your medical licenses are not interchangeable – although your medical degree will be recognized all across Canada, you won’t be able to practice in another province until you hold an educational or practice licence from the medical authority in the province where you hope to practice. 

        So what do you need to know about getting registered before you move? Here are a few tips:

1. You’ll Need Documentation

        Just like you would if you were practicing outside of the country, practicing in another province means providing your new regulatory body with the documentation you need to back up your degree. Depending on the province where you want to work, this means getting copies of your passport photos, asking colleagues for references, having your degrees notarized by a lawyer and filling out applications with the dates of your undergraduate, medical school, and residency rotations. You also might need to mail out letters or forms to other provincial regulatory bodies, so make sure you get the correct addresses and information before you start.

1. The Process Can Take Time

        Since registering for a new province can involve multiple layers of documentation, make sure to leave enough time for the process to get started – from references to forms and notarized photos, make sure to leave at least a few months in advance of when you need your license before you get started – if you’re taking on a locum role with a new start date or taking a position with an employer, you’ll need to be conscious of leaving enough time to get all of your documents approved and ready for your new role. 

1. You’ll Need to be Careful When You Move Your Practice

        A medical practice, like a corporation, can be relocated to any province in Canada. However, like proving your medical credentials, the legal side of relocating a practice can take some extra preparation and time, so make sure to consult with a lawyer or other professional on the process you’ll need to take when selling or relocating your practice, keeping in mind that you might need a lawyer in both your existing province and your new one if you want to make the move, since lawyers (like doctors) are typically only qualified to provide their legal services in one province. 

        You should also be careful to consult the provincial regulatory body in the province where you practice for any additional regulations they might have on operating or moving a medical practice in your province, registering your new practice, and separating your shares.

        While doctors in Canada enjoy the freedom to move around to any province they choose, just like doctors working internationally, they will need to make sure to register their credentials with the provincial body before starting their practice – but with a little preparation, you can be working in a new province in no time!