Certification for foreign lawyer/doctor
 

My girlfriend is a South Korean med student in her last year, and her goal is to practice in BC.. does anybody have any information I can pass onto her?

I've read some of the info at http://www.mcc.ca/ but it's not very clear what the process is..

Also, I'm a Calgarian, currently in Australia doing my law degree. I'm hoping to end up in BC or Alberta practicing in the end too.

I'm interested in hearing about experiences, tips, or any knowledge anybody might have that's relevant, for both of us.

Thanks. :)

Get in contact with the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons. They are the regulating body that gives docs liscences to practice.

Bad news big guy. Where I am, we have real problems getting IMG's (International Medical Graduates) liscences.

If she was from the states, or UK, or even South Africa, she'd probably do okay. Korea has a different type of medicine (as other asian nations, no racism, just the truth... I said different, not worse or better) so the Canadian Docs get all upset when someone applies that they don't already recognize.

At least the BCCPS will be able to give definitive answers for the process, including the application, clinical testing, shadowing, limited or restricted liscencing, or info on courses offered to increase skill/knowledge so that it is on par with their requirements.

Good luck.

There was a story recently on canada.com (can't find the link atm). It seems that the shortage of doctors in canada combined with the small class sizes and high costs of Canadian medical schools have led to scores of well qualified canadian students studying abroad (eastern europe was the focus of the article). The short version was that even they were having trouble getting licensed when they return to Canada. Apparently this situation is different for other countries as someone interviewed for the article said that he would consider working in europe or the usa if Canada refused him.

Thanks for the info, I fired off an e-mail to the CPSBC..
So theoretically, if she got certified in a 'recognized' country first (ie the USA) it would be easier for her to move on to Canada?

Shit yeah, if she had her american board certs, she could walk in and own the place.

If you thought Our tests were hard, try some of those wacky states down south.

Much love, much karma

Ok sweet... because her original plan was to go through Philadelphia first, and then to Vancouver from there.

I guess now I have to start looking for more info about cerification in the US. :)
Thanks