The Bottom Line
- MCC states PRA programs provide an accelerated pathway to licensure for internationally trained physicians who have completed postgraduate training and engaged in independent clinical practice outside Canada.
- MCC also notes many PRA graduates secure employment in the province of assessment and that most obtain a full licence within ~two years (context: provisional-to-full progression).
- In practice, PRA is highly province-specific: eligibility, assessment design, and return-of-service obligations vary.
PRA is not “a single Canada program”
PRA is a family of provincial programs. Your plan must be province-first: eligibility → application intake windows → assessment → supervision/licensing class → return-of-service → progression to full licence.
How to pursue PRA without wasting a year
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1) Confirm you match the PRA candidate profile
PRA programs are designed for experienced physicians (often family medicine) with postgraduate training and independent practice experience outside Canada.
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2) Pick provinces where your profile is realistic
Choose 1–2 provinces and read their PRA eligibility requirements line-by-line. This is the highest leverage decision.
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3) Build a PRA application file (clinical + admin)
Typical pillars: credential verification, proof of training and recent practice, references, exams (province-dependent), and documentation required for provisional licensing.
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4) Understand return-of-service (ROS) and community placement
Many PRA programs include ROS requirements tied to rural/underserved communities. Treat this as part of your decision-making, not a footnote.
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5) Plan your “full licence” progression
PRA is usually the start of the Canadian journey: supervised practice, provincial requirements, and eventual progression to full licensure.
PRA province-selection checklist
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Practice
Test your knowledge
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