Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
Physicians and surgeons who do not meet the requirements for registration and licensure in the full class but hold a full and unrestricted licence in another Canadian jurisdiction may be eligible for registration and licensure in the full class with this under the provisions of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).
What is the CFTA?
The CFTA is an agreement between the federal, provincial and territorial governments of Canada.
One of its objectives is to reduce and eliminate, to the extent possible, barriers to “free movement” or to labour “mobility” within Canada.
Eligibility under the CFTA
The CFTA provides that physicians who hold a full and unrestricted licence in another Canadian jurisdiction may be eligible to apply for registration and licensure with this without having to undergo significant additional training, examination or assessment.
In assessing an applicant’s eligibility for registration pursuant to the CFTA, the will undergo its standard process which includes a review of the following:
- fitness to practise
- currency in practice
- criminal record
- complaints and discipline history
- English language proficiency
- compliance with relevant requirements under the Health Professions Act and related Bylaws
- public safety considerations
The will assess whether additional requirements are warranted depending on the circumstances. In cases where there are current conditions or restrictions on the applicant’s registration or licence in another Canadian jurisdiction, the will consider whether the same can be accommodated by an equivalent condition or restriction in BC.
Note: The above information does not cover all circumstances. A definite answer with respect to eligibility for registration and licensure can only be given following the submission of an application with supporting documentation and the required documentation fee.
How to apply
Applicants who believe they meet the eligibility requirements for registration and licensure in the full class under the provisions of the CFTA should complete an Application for Medical Registration (AMR) through no more than three months prior to their intended start date.
staff will email the applicant to request supporting documents used to complete a preliminary assessment of the applicant’s eligibility under the CFTA. The applicant will receive a formal letter with the ’s assessment of their eligibility.
The applicant will receive a secondary application package if they applicant are found eligible for registration and licensure in the full class under the provisions of the CFTA.