Specialist physicians

• The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) is responsible for licensing doctors in B.C. They make sure that doctors are qualified, competent, and follow professional standards. 
• To practice as a specialist physician in British Columbia, you must meet the registration requirements set by the CPSBC. The registration process is different depending on where a physician completed their training. 
• The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) is the national organization responsible for setting standards for medical specialties (excluding family medicine) in Canada. 
• The Medical Council of Canada is the national organization responsible for overseeing standard examinations and supporting physician credential verification. 

Specialist physicians may be compensated through a variety of payment methods that include:

• Fee-for-Service 
• Alternative Payment Programs (e.g., service contracts) 
• Incentives (e.g., Rural Practice Programs to increase access to doctors in rural and remote areas of B.C.)   
• Provincially funded benefits (e.g., parental leave, health and wellness, retirement)

Most doctors get paid based on the terms set out in the Physician Master Agreement (PMA). The PMA is negotiated between the Doctors of BC and the B.C. government.

Specialist physicians work in community-based clinics and publicly funded hospitals, and facilities. B.C.’s health-care system offers a variety of job opportunities across the full range of physician specialty areas.  

B.C.’s health-care system offers many specialist physician job opportunities—register with Health Match BC for navigational support and explore current specialist medicine postings.

• Internationally trained specialist physicians who are interested in practicing in B.C. should register with Health Match BC to connect with a physician navigator. The process of becoming licensed as a specialist physician in B.C. varies depending on where a physician completed their training.
• Visit the CPSBC website for more information about physician registration for:
  • Specialist physicians trained and certified in the U.S.
  • Specialist physicians trained outside of Canada or the U.S.
• For more information about licensing and registration in B.C. as an internationally trained specialist physician, please visit Physician Jobs BC and register with Health Match BC.