MCCQE Part 1

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1
- A one-day, computer-based test.
- Assesses the critical medical knowledge and clinical decision-making ability of a candidate at a level expected of a medical student who is completing his or her medical degree in Canada.
There are now more opportunities to take the MCCQE Part 1: up to three times per year.
MCCQE Part 1 is internationally available in over 80 countries through vendor Prometric: an internationally recognized firm with more than 20 years’ experience in exam development and administration for professional sectors.
To help you navigate through the exam information, please consult the information sheets for Canadian and international medical students and graduates.
You must take and pass the MCCQE Part 1 and the MCCQE Part 2 to obtain the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).
- Canadian medical regulatory authorities may require you to have the LMCC to apply for a medical license within their province or territory.
Visit the Application and eligibility page for the full list of MCCQE Part 1 requirements.

What is the MCCQE Part 1?

The MCCQE Part 1 is a summative examination that assesses the critical medical knowledge and clinical decision-making ability of a candidate at a level expected of a medical student who is completing his or her medical degree in Canada.
- The examination is based on the MCC Objectives, which are organized under the CanMEDS roles.
- Candidates graduating and completing the MCCQE Part 1 normally enter supervised practice.
- Aside from formal accreditation processes of the undergraduate and postgraduate education programs, the MCCQE Part 1 is the only national standard for medical schools across Canada and, therefore, is administered at the end of medical school.
The MCCQE Part 1 is a one-day, computer-based test. You are allowed up to four hours in the morning session to complete 210 Multiple-Choice Questions. You are allowed up to three and a half hours in the afternoon session for the Clinical Decision-Making component, which consists of 38 cases with short-menu and short-answer write-in questions.
The exam is based on a Blueprint that assesses your performance across two broad categories:
- Dimensions of care, covering the spectrum of medical care;
- Physician activities, reflecting a physician’s scope of practice and behaviours.
Each category has four domains, and each is assigned a specific content weighting on the exam:

For more information on how to study for the MCCQE Part 1, please view the webinar hereunder that explains how to organize your preparation making use of the Blueprint and content weightings.

You can also visit the exam preparatory resources page.

How do I take the MCCQE Part 1?

You can apply for the MCCQE Part 1 through your physiciansapply.ca account.
- If you do not already have an account, you can create one at physiciansapply.ca and follow the steps after you log into the portal.
- Once you have paid your application fee, your MCCQE Part 1 application will be reviewed.
- Once approved, you will receive a message through your physiciansapply.ca account.

MCCQE Part I Examination at a glance

You can apply to take the MCCQE Part 1 at any time.
- If you are planning to request Test Accommodations & apply well in advance of when you wish to take the exam, as coordination with MCC and Prometric is required.
Below is a list of upcoming MCCQE Part 1 session dates:
- Sessions are held on weekdays, though available test centres and remote proctoring may hold exam appointments on Saturdays or Sundays.
MCCQE Part 1 application fee: $1,305

MCCQE Part 1 Exam overview

On exam day, you will be presented with a tutorial that will include a walkthrough of the functionality platform, the buttons, and samples of exam questions.
- For an overview of this tutorial, please see the Exam overview.
Transition to DSM-5
- In May 2013, the American Psychiatric Association published the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The MCC has worked with its test committees to review the classification changes in DSM-5 and update the language in its exam content from the previous edition, DSM-IV-TR.
- As of 2017, any questions that use the DSM-5 wording on the MCCQE Part I will no longer include equivalent language from the DSM-IV-TR. You will be required to answer with DSM-5 terminology as of 2017 to receive full marks.
Objectives for the Qualifying Examination
- When creating MCCQE Part 1 questions, the MCC’s test committees are guided by the Objectives for the Qualifying Examination, a document that outlines what candidates must know for any MCC examination.
- For this reason, the Objectives may be useful in your MCCQE Part 1 preparation. We recommend you go through each clinical presentation and carefully read the related objectives.
- If you feel your knowledge or skill for any given objective is weak, this could indicate that you need further study in that area.
- MCCQE Part 1 Reference materials: The MCC has compiled a list of reference books and online reference materials that may be helpful in preparing for the examination.

View the official information about MCCQE Part 1

MCCQE Part 2

The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part 2 is a clinical exam that assesses competence, knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for entry into independent clinical practice.

What is the MCCQE Part 2?

The MCCQE Part 2 assesses:
1. The candidate’s core abilities to apply medical knowledge, demonstrate clinical skills, develop investigational and therapeutic clinical plans.
2. As well as demonstrate professional behaviours and attitudes at a level expected of a physician in independent practice in Canada.
Candidates must have successfully completed the MCCQE Part 1 and be completing their postgraduate medical education (there is a requirement for one year of postgraduate education).
The MCCQE Part 1 and MCCQE Part2 form two components of the LMCC, which, in turn, is one of the prerequisites for licensure and entry into independent practice in Canada.
The MCCQE Part 2 consists of a series of clinical stations.
The exam, based on the Blueprint, assesses your performance across two broad categories:
- Dimensions of care, covering the spectrum of medical care
- Physician activities, reflecting a physician’s scope of practice and behaviours
Each category has four domains, and each is assigned a specific content weighting on the exam:

You can take the MCCQE Part 2 in either English or French at a centre that offers the exam in the chosen language.
Visit the Preparation resources page for resources to help you prepare for the MCCQE Part II.

How do I take the MCCQE Part 2?

Applying to the MCCQE Part II is different than applying for other exams of the Medical Council of Canada. Because capacity is limited for each session, the process explained below will help us to provide access to as many candidates as possible. If you are interested in taking the MCCQE Part 2, the following STEPS are required:

STEP 1: You must add your name to the pre-application list.
- If you meet the eligibility requirements, you must add your name to the pre-application list through your physiciansapply.ca account at any time during the pre-application period.
- Note: Adding your name to the pre-application list does not represent a completed application.
STEP 2: Wait to receive an invitation to apply; invitations will be sent starting September 9, 2020.
- Selected candidates will receive an invitation to apply to the exam.
- Additional invitations to apply will be sent based on the remaining available spaces.
- Please monitor your physiciansapply.ca account on a regular basis for further updates.
- While capacity for each session is limited, if a candidate is required to take the exam no later than a given session for licensure purposes or other reason related to progressing through their career, we will ensure that they are provided a spot in the exam no later than that session, provided that they add their name to the pre-application list during the pre-application period indicated above.
STEP 3: Complete and pay for your application to the exam if you receive an invitation to apply.
- If you are selected to apply, you will receive a message through your physiciansapply.ca account inviting you to apply before a specified deadline.
- After receiving this message, please complete and pay for your exam application through your physiciansapply.ca account.
- Your application is only complete once you have paid the application fees and received a transaction confirmation message. If you do not apply by the deadline specified in the message, your space will be offered to another candidate.

MCCQE Part 2 Objectives

When creating MCCQE Part 2 cases, writers and committee members are guided by the Objectives for the Qualifying Examination, a document that outlines what you must know for any MCC examination.
- For this reason, the Objectives may be useful in your MCCQE Part 2 preparation.
- Go through each clinical presentation and carefully read the related objectives. If you feel your knowledge or skill on any given objective is weak, this could indicate that you need further study in that area.

The MCCQE Part II is based on common or critical patient presentations and on interactions with colleagues, other health care professionals and family members related to the Objectives.
- Consider organizing your study similarly, rather than studying by disease or body system. By working from common or critical patient presentations from different disciplines, you will align your studying with the format of the examination.
- For each patient presentation, identify key diagnoses as well as the critical information needed for diagnosis (and to rule out the differential diagnoses) and for treatment.
- List the different parts of the physical examination, consider what investigations might be needed, and summarize key aspects of initial management of each problem.

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (MCCQE Part 2 OSCE) orientation resources

The orientation outlines the purpose of an OSCE and the logistics behind this type of exam, gives an overview of how to demonstrate knowledge and skills in different stations as well as provides useful links and resources for preparation. Please review this orientation before exam day.

MCCQE Part 2 Reference materials

We have compiled a list of reference books and online reference materials that may be helpful in preparing for the examination.
We encourage you to also review the common mistakes made on Objective Structured Clinical Examination stations for more information on the types of errors made on the exam.
To find out more about the examination, visit Preparing for the OSCE station format.

View the official information about MCCQE Part 2

MCCQE Centers & Fees

Test accommodations and special needs

- A test accommodation represents a modification to the standard administration of the examination to address a documented disability, functional limitation or special need.
- You may be able to receive test accommodations depending on the nature of your disability, the documentation provided and the requirements of the examination.
- Examples of test accommodations that you may request include access to assistive equipment, assistive personnel, additional testing time, break time, and personal items (medication, breast pumps, hearing aids, food, etc.).
To learn more about how we apply the principles of independence, dignity, integration and equal opportunity to our practices and procedures, read our customer service policy.

How to request test accommodations

You must send the signed Request for test accommodations form to candidateaffairs@mcc.ca immediately after you submit your examination application.
- Note that last-minute requests are difficult to arrange and cannot be guaranteed.
In addition to the Request for test accommodations form, you will also have to submit the following documents:

A detailed personal statement:
- Describes your disability or special need and its severity
- Explains why you need the requested accommodations
A detailed report or letter from a professional who is qualified to evaluate your disability or special need, written on official letterhead, that includes:
- A description of your functional limitations due to the diagnosed disability or special need
- Specific recommendations for test accommodations or assistive devices, along with an explanation of why they are needed
- If this report or letter is more than two years old, you will need to provide written confirmation from a qualified professional stating that your disability is still actively being managed.
If applicable, include copies of supporting documentation (or letters on official letterhead) from your student accessibility / disability services office as well as your undergraduate / postgraduate medical education program office describing any accommodations previously provided to you.
If test accommodations are granted

- The accommodations granted are valid for one examination session only. You must submit a new request for any future examination session.
- We reserve the right to assign you to a centre where accommodations can be offered which may require travel (including related expenses).

Service fees

The Medical Council of Canada (MCC) is committed to continually developing new examination content every year and to maintaining a high-performing technology infrastructure to meet your needs.
The fees we charge for our examinations and certain administrative functions help pay for these activities and allow us to deliver exams across Canada and — in the case of the MCCQE Part I — at Prometric test centres worldwide.
They also enable us to maintain the infrastructure required for clinical exams such as the MCCQE Part II and the NAC Exam, including standardized patients, physician examiners and other test centre staff who assist with exam delivery.

Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part I
Application fee	$1,305
Examination withdrawal fee*	$653
Eligibility window extension – Administrative fee**	$97
Result recheck fee	$251
Appeal fee	$1,000

* Non-refundable.
** If the exam fees have increased since you originally applied for the MCCQE Part I, you will also need to pay the difference. These fees are non-refundable.

Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (MCCQE) Part II
Application fee	$2,780
Administrative fee*	$1,390
Pre-scheduling request fee	$111
Centre or date change request fee**	$111
Result recheck fee	$251
Appeal fee	$1,000

* Non-refundable.
** Only a change in the exam centre may be requested.

National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination
Application fee	$2,830
Examination withdrawal fee*	$418
Administrative fee*	$1,415
Pre-scheduling request fee	$111
Centre change request fee	$111
Result recheck fee	$251
Appeal fee	$1,000

* Non-refundable.

MCCQE Part I Practice Tests
Preparatory Examination	$510
Multiple-Choice Questions Practice Test	$120
Clinical Decision-Making Practice Test	$120

Account setup

All candidates must pay a one-time, non-refundable account fee of $298 to set up a physiciansapply.ca account. This fee covers:
- Storage of your medical credentials in a centralized electronic repository
- Secure document sharing with Canadian Medical Regulatory authorities (MRAs) and other organizations
- Access to MCC support to guide you through the verification process

Source verification services

Storage of your medical credentials in a centralized electronic repository
Secure document sharing with Canadian MRAs and other organizations
Access to MCC support to guide you through the verification process

Document fee	$175 per medical credential
Translation fee*	$140 per page
Document cancellation fee**	$57
File Transfer Service Fee***	$52

* Non-refundable.
** Only if the document has not yet been processed by MCC. The document fee will then be returned to the credit card used at the time of payment, otherwise a credit will be applied to your account. The document cancellation fee will apply.
*** A $52 fee (non-refundable) is charged for each document transferred, up to a maximum of $200. When transferring more than four documents to the same third party in a single transaction, only the first four documents will be charged.

Service Requests

Educational Credential Assessment report fee and all additional copies	$111
Replacement of Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC) certificate of registration (wallet-size plastic card)	$111
Replacement LMCC testamur	$111

Tuition tax credit

The tuition tax credit applies to all MCC examinations (MCCEE and MCCQE) taken since 2011, as well as all NAC examinations taken since 2014.
A receipt is made available for printing in late February of the year after the year the exam was taken (e.g., the 2016 tuition tax credit receipt is available in late February 2017).

- All funds are processed in Canadian dollars
- Only Visa or MasterCard credit cards are accepted. Prepaid or secured credit cards are also accepted. (Interac and Visa debit cards are not accepted.)
- All fees are subject to change without notice