PRA is the “experienced clinician” lane in Canada: a structured assessment pathway for internationally trained family physicians to enter practice without repeating a full Canadian residency, where available.
PRA is provincial
There is no single national PRA. Each province runs its own assessment program, eligibility criteria, and licensing outcomes. Your first step is selecting a province and reading its program rules end-to-end.
Return of Service is common
Many PRA programs require a Return of Service (ROS) commitment after successful completion (e.g., multi-year service in a community of need). Build this into your life plan before you apply.
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Step 1 — Confirm you’re the intended candidate
PRA is typically for experienced, independently practising family physicians with completed postgraduate training and recent, substantial clinical practice. If you are early-career without independent practice, residency streams are more realistic.
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Step 2 — Choose a province with an active program
Examples include British Columbia (PRA-BC) and Alberta pathways that begin with a qualifications review/screening. Each program has its own intake mechanics and documentation standards.
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Step 3 — Build a “Canadian-ready GP” portfolio
Evidence that scores: broad-spectrum practice (adult + paeds + women’s health + chronic disease), safe prescribing, continuity care, documentation quality, and professionalism. Include audits/QI, teaching, and peer feedback if available.
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Step 4 — Execute applications like credentialing
Expect heavy documentation: training proof, practice history, references, and sometimes CV formats. Incomplete files are silently delayed. Assign a weekly admin block and track every requirement.
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Step 5 — Prepare for assessment
PRA assessments evaluate real-world competence in Canadian context: communication, safe management, referral thresholds, preventive care, and system navigation. Practise Canadian guidelines and local pathways used in family practice.
The PRA value proposition
If you are genuinely experienced, PRA can compress years of training into a structured assessment + supervised practice period — but it is selective and administrative precision matters.
SourceGovernment of BC: Practice Ready Assessment – BC (official)
Open Link SourcePRA-BC: How to apply (official program site)
Open Link SourceITP Hub: Alberta routes to licensure + PRA route navigation
Open Link SourceDoctor Jobs Alberta: Licensure overview + CPSA qualifications review entry point
Open Link