CPSO has developed a new pathway to licensure for internationally educated subspecialists who are not otherwise eligible to practise in Ontario.
The College has been actively reviewing its registration policies to determine whether barriers to licensure can be removed or new pathways to registration can be explored.
Approval of the Recognition of RCPSC Subspecialist Affiliate Status policy would enable CPSO to issue restricted certificates of registration to physicians who lack Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) certification in a primary specialty, but have Subspecialist Affiliate status.
This pathway provides a route for physicians who have successfully challenged the RCPSC subspecialty exam to practise independently in their scope.
Generally, Subspecialist Affiliate candidates are trained and registered as clinical fellows in RCPSC-accredited subspecialty training programs, but do not have prerequisite RCPSC certification in a primary specialty for RCSPC Fellowship. Accordingly, they do not have a route to licensure outside the postgraduate class. This pathway provides a route for these physicians who have successfully challenged the RCPSC subspecialty exam to practise independently in their scope.
The qualifications and requirements set out in the draft policy are aligned with those of other provinces, such as Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan, that already offer licences recognizing RCSPC Subspecialist Affiliate status.
The policy is now being circulated in accordance with Section 22.21 of the Health Professions Procedural Code.
