Obtaining a Licence to Practice Medicine begins with a formal application to the College. Prospective applicants can apply for registration via three routes: a Standard Application, a Fast-track Application or a Temporary Full Licence Application. Physicians previously licensed in Newfoundland and Labrador should contact the College’s Licensing and Registration Department by email (licensing@cpsnl.ca) for instructions on the application process.

All applicants will be charged an application fee. Applicants who submit a Fast-track or Temporary Licence application and do not meet the criteria will be charged an Administrative Processing Fee and are directed to physiciansapply to submit an application. All fees can be viewed on the College’s Fee Schedule.

Please select the application method that best suits your circumstances.

1. Standard Application for Medical Registration

All first-time applicants, and applicants not holding a Licence in NL in the past three (3) years, typically must submit an Application for Medical Registration (Application) through physicansapply.ca. There is a non-refundable fee for this Application (fees can be viewed here).

Using the Application in physiciansapply.ca, applicants must complete and submit a Review of Qualifications for Newfoundland and Labrador. This allows for a review of your:

• medical education
• postgraduate training
• professional certification
• practice history
• current/previous Licence(s) to Practice
• language proficiency

Please Note:

• Failure to provide all requested information may result in delays to the application process or the applicant being deemed ineligible.
• Within the Application, please ensure the Review of Qualifications section is completed accurately. The College uses this information to screen applicants that do not meet the basic requirements.
• Please DO NOT submit any additional documents within the Review of Qualifications unless asked to do so by our Licensing and Registration Department.

2. Fast-track Application for Registration

Physicians with a Full, Unrestricted Licence in another Canadian province or territory may qualify for a Fast-track Application for Registration, and submission of documents through physiciansapply.ca may not be required.

The College will require:

• completed application
• application fee
• CPC from your home jurisdiction
• evidence of professional liability coverage for Newfoundland and Labrador
• current government identification
• credentials documentation
• reference(s)
• payment of licence and registration fees (prior to the issuance of the licence)

Please note:

• Physicians with a Full, Unrestricted Licence in another Atlantic Province (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Prince Edward Island) can contact their home jurisdiction to apply for registration via the Atlantic Registry.
• Applicants must not have any disciplinary actions, pending or concluded, undertaken by a medical regulatory authority or other recognized authority (e.g., a healthcare institution) against them in any jurisdiction. Those with a disciplinary history in any jurisdiction, pending or concluded, should go through the standard application process (physiciansapply.ca).
• Applicants must not be undergoing monitoring for health reasons in the home jurisdiction.
• Applicants must be compliant with continuous professional development (CPD) requirements in the home jurisdiction.

Licences can be issued within five (5) College business days from date of receipt of application and all required documentation. Licence and Registration fees applicable to your practice intentions are required to be submitted prior to the issuance of a licence.

Should you not meet the criteria above, you may still submit an Application for Registration via physiciansapply.ca.

For physicians interested in applying through this route, please contact licensing@cpsnl.ca for more information.

3. Temporary Full Licence Application for Registration

Temporary Full Licences are granted in cases where a physician is looking to practice less than 90 days.

The College will require:

• completed application
• application fee
• CPC from your home jurisdiction
• evidence of professional liability coverage for Newfoundland and Labrador
• payment of licence and registration fees (prior to the issuance of the licence)

Please note:

• Should a physician wish to practice in NL beyond 90 days, additional documentation will be required by the College (See FAQ for more information)
• Applicants must not have any disciplinary actions, pending or concluded, undertaken by a medical regulatory authority or other recognized authority (e.g., a healthcare institution) against the physician in any jurisdiction. Those with a disciplinary history in any jurisdiction, pending or concluded, should go through the usual application process.
• Applicants must not be undergoing monitoring for health reasons in the home jurisdiction.
• Applicants must be compliant with continuous professional development (CPD) requirements in the home jurisdiction.

Licences can be issued within five (5) College business days from date of receipt of application and all required documentation. Licence and Registration fees applicable to your practice intentions are required to be submitted prior to the issuance of a licence.

Should you not meet the criteria above, you may still submit an Application for Registration via physiciansapply.ca.

For physicians interested in applying through this route, please contact licensing@cpsnl.ca for more information.

Issuing a Licence

Once an applicant has been deemed eligible for a Licence to Practice Medicine, the following are required prior to being issued a Licence:

1. Enrollment in a Continuing Professional Development Program as is outlined in the Continuing Professional Development Policy.
2. Membership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association
3. Professional Liability Coverage
4. Pre-Licensure Courses and Readings – Confirmation of completion
5. Confirmation of Sponsorship (if applicable) – For Provisionally Licensed physicians, and Clinical Assistants, a Licence may only be issued under the sponsorship of a Regional Health Authority (RHA)
6. Payment of Fees – Payment of applicable Licence and Registration Fees – See Fee Schedule

If you are unsure which method to choose or need further clarification, please contact the licensing department at licensing@cpsnl.ca.