Family physicians working in Nunavut should be experienced in the Canadian medical system and have a good understanding of its referral patterns. Nunavut does not currently accept applications for a limited/provisional/conditional family or specialist license. All International Medical Graduates must meet the requirements listed below.

Medical profession licensing requirements in Nunavut:

All physicians wishing to practice medicine in Nunavut must have the licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada and hold one of either:

  • the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (or a specialty certification issued by the Collège des médecins du Québec on or after October 16, 2007) or
  • from the College of Family Physicians of Canada or by the Collège des médecins du Québec

For a specialist license, physicians must hold a current full, unrestricted licence in another province or territory of Canada.

For a family medicine license, physicians must currently hold a full, unrestricted license in another province or territory of Canada or be eligible for a full, unrestricted license in another province or territory of Canada. 

Candidates who meet the above requirements and wish to apply for a full and unrestricted licence to practice medicine in Nunavut for the first time should visit physiciansapply.ca.

Physicians working in Nunavut must successfully complete ACLS and PALS courses in order to work in the ER. ATLS and NRP are also recommended. To provide obstetrical care in Iqaluit, physicians should have successfully completed the ALSO or the ALARM course.

Medical Profession Licensing Process

  1. Candidates applying for a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in Nunavut for the first time must do so through physiciansapply.ca.
  2. Once your online application is received, you will be sent an application package to obtain the additional documents required to complete registration and licensing. This includes a vulnerable sector check that is dated no more than six (6) months prior and a Certificates of Professional Conduct (CPC) from every jurisdiction you have been licensed in Canada or internationally in the last 20 years. We do not require CPCs from jurisdictions where you held an education license only.
  3. The Nunavut Medical Registration Committee meets every two weeks. The committee will review the completed application and, if approved, the Registrar office for Medical Practitioners will contact you through email.
  4. Annual licenses expire every year on March 31. Renewal applications will be sent via email by January 15 of the next licensed year.
  5. Three-month and one-year licenses expire on the date noted on your license.
  6. If your license has expired, please contact the Deputy registrar at hssnunavutregistrar@gov.nu.ca

NOTE: The average time to process a completed application is 4 weeks, please allow sufficient time to process your application. We will continue to accept paper applications forms until March 31, 2019 and any applications that are currently being processed.