Fees for Examinations and Services
As an International Medical Graduate (IMG) seeking to practice in Canada, you'll encounter various fees throughout the certification and licensure process. These fees cover essential services such as account setup, credential verification, examinations, and application fees. The costs can vary significantly, so it's important to plan your finances carefully. The following table outlines the main costs you can expect. Please note that fees are subject to change, are non-refundable in most cases, and additional costs may apply depending on your specific circumstances and the province where you intend to practice.
| Service/Exam | Fee (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Physiciansapply.ca Account Setup | $328.00 | One-time, non-refundable |
| Source Verification Request(per credential) | $228.00 | Non-refundable. It can take several weeks to months for verification, and this can vary substantially between institutions and the method used (mail vs. electronic). |
| MCCQE Part I | $1,470.00 | Limited to 4 attempts. Withdrawal fee may apply depending on the timeframe. |
| NAC Examination | $3,255.00 | Limited to 3 attempts. Withdrawal fee may apply depending on the timeframe. Not required for licensure, only for entry to CaRMS. |
| Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | $128.00 | Required for Express Entry PR applications. Non-refundable. |
| LMCC Application | $260.00 | Non-refundable. Not required for residency, primarily for other licensing pathways, such as Australia/NZ. |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic | $353.20 | May be required for residency programs depending on your medical school. Valid for 2 years from the test date. |
| Occupational English Test (OET) Medicine | $587 | May be required for residency programs depending on your medical school. Valid for 2 years from the test date. |
| Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) - General Test | $309.99 | May be required for residency programs depending on your medical school. Valid for 2 years from the test date. |
| Medical College Admission Test® (MCAT®) | $415 USD | Required if you want to apply to Canadian medical schools. Valid for 3 Years from the test date. |
| Computer-based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics (CASPer) | $120.75 CAD + Taxes | Required for some residency programs, although less common now that FMProC exists. Valid for 1 year from the test date. |
| Family Medicine Professional Choices (FMProC) | $62 | Required for most family medicine residency programs. Valid for one match cycle. |
| CaRMS application fees | $300-$500 | Includes account setup fee and a small number of applications. After that, each program you apply for is ~$60. |
The costs listed above do not include the cost of resources for exam preparation, cost of travel to test sites or interviews, cost of accommodation while in Canada, cost of food, cost of immigration lawyer/consultants/ other fees, cost of transportation (car/gas/driving exams if applicable), cost of USMLE steps if opting for the US pathway as well. It's highly recommended to have a significant amount of financial resources for this journey!