1. State Licensure

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Each State Board of Medical Examiners has jurisdiction over the licensing of Physicians. In general, forty states will grant a state license to Canadian medical school graduates who have completed both LMCC's (after 1970) residency in an accredited Canadian residency program.

States that will not endorse the Canadian LMCC or do not accept as equivalent Canadian residency training include Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virgin Islands. Canadians whose basic medical school was outside the United States or Canada in addition are required (with some exceptions for Board certified physicians) to complete the EGFMG's (Education Commission For Foreign Medical Graduates).

2. Immigration

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To practice medicine in the United States a physician must apply for a visa if she or is not a US citizen or does not already hold permanent status (green card). The process begins with a job offer being obtained.

A physician may save both themselves and prospective employers time and expense if they already have a claim to USA citizenship. If close family relations hold USA citizenship's the physician or their spouse may be entitled to apply for such citizenship.

If the physician or their spouse do not have a claim to US citizenship one of two visa's will have to be obtained by a physician wishing to practice in the USA ;

• H1-B Visa

  A temporary work visa which is good for three years and is renewable for a further three years. To obtain an H1-B visa a physician must have completed USMLE, FLEX or NBME's and have a valid job offer. It can be obtained within approximately 60 days. A physician may apply for a permanent residence (green card) once they have entered the USA on a H1-B visa.

• Permanent Residence Visa (green card)

  This visa takes approximately Eight to twelve months to obtain however it gives the physician permanent status in the USA and does not restrict the physician from changing positions or moving within the USA. The potential employer of the physician must show the USA immigration service that reasonable effort was undertaken in first trying to find a qualified USA citizen to fill the vacancy.

In both cases the process begins with a job offer to the physician. If the physician has USMLE, FLEX or NBME the H1-B visa can be more quickly obtained than the green card, however, the H1-B is less flexible than the green card. It is suggested that the physician seek consultation from an immigration lawyer before making any final decisions.

3. Board Eligibility/Certification

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Certification by the appropriate board of the medical specialty is often a perquisite to many USA opportunities. Internal credentialing of the USA hospitals, lower malpractice rates, ability to bill Medicaid and satisfying USA immigration are reasons why certification is important. Being certified in Canada may enable you to achieve eligibility to write the certification exam in the USA. For more information on certification one would contact the:

American Board Of Medical Specialities
1007 Church Street
Evanston, Illinois USA 60201-5913
Phone 1 (708) 491-9091