How to Become a Physician in Newfoundland and Labrador
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador to work as a physician in Newfoundland and Labrador or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Not listed in the sources checked
Show the source
“All physicians who practice medicine in Newfoundland and Labrador must be registered and licensed with the College.”
From cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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First-time applicants submit an Application for Medical Registration through physiciansapply.ca.
Source
“All first-time applicants, and applicants who do not meet the criteria for Fast-track and have not held a Licence in NL in the past three (3) years, typically must submit an Application for Medical Registration (Application) through physiciansapply.ca.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence -
The submitted application allows the College to review the applicant's medical education, postgraduate training, certification, practice history, previous licences and language proficiency.
Source
“A complete submitted Application via physiciansapply.ca allows for a review of your: medical education, postgraduate training, professional certification, practice history, current/previous Licence(s) to Practice, language proficiency”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence -
Applicants should not send extra documents unless asked, and failing to provide all requested information may delay the process or lead to being deemed ineligible.
Source
“Please DO NOT submit any additional documents with the Application unless asked to do so by our Licensing and Registration Department. Failure to provide all requested information may result in delays to the application process or the applicant being deemed ineligible.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
The physician submits a completed application with the application fee.
Source
“CPSNL will require: completed application, application fee”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence -
The physician provides a Certificate of Professional Conduct from the home jurisdiction, evidence of professional liability coverage for Newfoundland and Labrador, government-issued photo identification, credentials documentation and reference(s).
Source
“Certificate of Professional Conduct from home jurisdiction, evidence of professional liability coverage for Newfoundland and Labrador, current government issued identification (must include photograph), credentials documentation, reference(s)”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence -
The physician pays the applicable licence and registration fees before the licence is issued.
Source
“payment of licence and registration fees (prior to the issuance of the licence)”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Other listed fees
The regulator lists these without tying them to one step, so they are not in the route totals above. Check which apply to you.
- Initial registration fee: $500
Source
“The initial registration fee is $500; $650 with trust indenture. This fee is not pro-rated.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/i-am-currently-practicing-in-nl... - Initial registration fee with trust indenture: $650 (with trust indenture)
Source
“The initial registration fee is $500; $650 with trust indenture. This fee is not pro-rated.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/i-am-currently-practicing-in-nl...
Requirements
Education
Applicants for a Full Licence in Family Medicine need certification in Family Medicine Practice satisfactory to the College in an approved jurisdiction.
Source
“n in Family Medicine Practice, satisfactory to the College, in an approved jurisdiction as outlined in policy.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibilityApplicants for a Full Licence in Specialty Medicine need certification in a primary specialty satisfactory to the College in an approved jurisdiction.
Source
“ertification in a primary specialty, satisfactory to the College, in an approved jurisdiction as outlined in the policy.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibilityApplicants trained outside Canada must provide source verification of their medical education and credentials, which may include a medical degree, postgraduate training and certifications.
Source
“Source verification of medical education and credentials is required if trained outside of Canada (may include medical degree, postgraduate training, and certifications)”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibility
Insurance
Applicants must provide evidence of professional liability coverage for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Source
“Evidence of Professional Liability Coverage for Newfoundland and Labrador”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibility
Good character
Applicants must satisfy good character requirements, which may include up to 3 references, a criminal record check, certificates of professional conduct from each jurisdiction a licence was held in the previous 10 years, and a disciplinary and background questionnaire.
Source
“Good Character – all or some of the following may be required: Up to 3 References, Criminal Record Check, Certificate(s) of Professional Conduct from each Jurisdiction a Licence has been held in the previous 10 years, Disciplinary and background questionnaire”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibilityFast-track applicants must not have any disciplinary actions, pending or concluded, undertaken by a medical regulatory authority or other recognized authority against them in any jurisdiction.
Source
“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.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence
Other
Applicants must meet the College's currency of practice requirements.
Applicants must meet the College's English language proficiency requirements.
Applicants must provide government issued photo identification.
Source
“Government issued photo identification”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibilitySponsorship is required for all Provisional Licences.
Source
“Sponsorship is required for all Provisional Licences”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibilityFast-track applicants must not be undergoing monitoring for health reasons in the home jurisdiction.
Source
“Applicants must not be undergoing monitoring for health reasons in the home jurisdiction.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licenceFast-track applicants must be compliant with Continuing Professional Development requirements in the home jurisdiction.
Source
“Applicants must be compliant with Continuing Professional Development requirements in the home jurisdiction.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licenceSuccessful completion of the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent for the domain of practice is required before the issuance of a licence.
Source
“Successful completion of the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent for domain of practice is required before the issuance of a licence.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibility
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
Physicians with a full and unrestricted licence in another Canadian province or territory may qualify for a Fast-track Application for Registration without submitting documents through physiciansapply.ca, and no entry-to-practice exam or competence assessment is mentioned. Source
“Physicians with a Full and 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.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence
Submit fast-track application
Source
“Physicians with a Full and 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.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
Exams
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MCCQE1
Source
“MCCQE1 – Evidence of successful completion of the MCCQE1 (Statement of Results & Supplemental Information Report).”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/learners -
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
Source
“Successful completion of the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or equivalent for domain of practice is required before the issuance of a licence.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibility -
Practice Ready Assessment (PRA-NL)
Source
“The Practice Ready Assessment program (PRA-NL), run by the Memorial University Faculty of Medicine, will offer two Practice Ready Assessment pathways: Family Medicine – Full Scope Primary Care, and Family Medicine – Office/Community Clinic Only Primary Care.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/licensing-policies
Language tests
No minimum test score stated by the regulator Check with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
Exemptions: The pages do not state any exemption from language testing.
Canadian experience
The pages do not state any Canadian experience requirement.
Supervised practice
Required
Clinical Assistant Licences shall be subject to oversight and supervision, and for Provisionally Licensed physicians and Clinical Assistants a licence may only be issued under the sponsorship of a Provincial Health Authority. Source
“Clinical Assistant Licences shall be subject to oversight and supervision.”
cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibility
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $86,738 | $204,492 | $396,356 | Very good (5 of 5) |
| Canada | $90,826 | $232,227 | $435,240 | — |
Wages by region and job outlook in Newfoundland and Labrador
Physicians in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Alberta Licence required
- Saskatchewan Licence required
- Manitoba Licence required
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Licence required
- Nova Scotia Licence required
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Licence required
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Licensing and Registration - CPSNL cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration · fetched October 10, 2026
- Apply for a Licence - CPSNL cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/apply-for-a-licence · fetched October 10, 2026
- Determine Your Eligibility - CPSNL cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/determine-your-eligibility · fetched October 10, 2026
- Setting Up a Professional Medical Corporation - CPSNL cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/i-am-currently-practicing-in-nl... · fetched October 10, 2026
- Learners - CPSNL cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/learners · fetched October 10, 2026
- Licensing Policies - CPSNL cpsnl.ca/licensing-and-registration/licensing-policies · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as a physician in Newfoundland and Labrador?
Yes. Registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador is required to practise in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Which exams are required?
MCCQE1, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Practice Ready Assessment (PRA-NL).
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