You can apply by accessing the online application form on the CMPA website. In order to apply, a Canadian bank account is required. Note: payments will only begin once you start your training and NOT on the day you submit your application. Once you apply, please allow 2 to 4 weeks of processing time.

International trainees, who do not have a Canadian bank account and are not currently in Canada, must wait until they arrive to apply for the CMPA membership. This is because banks require verification of identification in person to open a Canadian bank account, and as mentioned, a Canadian bank account is required to apply.

CaRMS R-1 matched residents: CMPA will contact you directly with application instructions.

You do not need to wait to receive your CPSO licence before applying for a CMPA membership. Simply indicate the type of licence you will obtain (e.g. educational, independent practice) and the province of licensure (Ontario). The CMPA membership can be issued without your CPSO licence, however you are responsible for providing your CPSO licence number and effective date through the CMPA member portal account as soon as it is available. If your CPSO licence is not acquired before or on your start date, you MUST notify CMPA without delay! 

CMPA may ask you to provide your Medical Identification Number for Canada (MINC). Note that you can obtain this number from CPSO, as they will be applying for the MINC number on your behalf.

Note: Members of the Canadian Forces may be exempt from obtaining a CMPA membership, if covered by the Canadian Armed Forces, National Defence only.

Applying for a CMPA membership requires completion of the application form, which includes:

• the Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) Agreement,
• your Canadian banking information,
• the Postgraduate Questionnaire and
• your CPSO licence number, once available.

Postgraduate Questionnaire:

If you answer “yes” to any questions, please provide full details.

Work codes: 

Please clearly identify codes; i.e. 12 for residents and fellows, and 14 for residents and fellows with Independent Practice Licence (IPL), who plan on moonlighting for no more than 14 consecutive days.

Training site:

If changing sites, you must update your information with CMPA. Kindly ensure to change your profile by consulting this link: Member Self-Service.

CMPA fee reimbursement:

Eligibility criteria for reimbursement are set by each province/territory. In Ontario, please visit the Medical Liability Protection (MLP) Reimbursement Program on the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care website.

It's your responsibility to ensure your CMPA coverage is active throughout your entire training!

Where to Submit/Get Information

CMPA

Member self-service

FAQs

Contact for questions

 1-800-267-6522 (in Ottawa area: 613-725-2000)

Application and supporting documents must be submitted online through the CPSO member portal. Ensure to regularly check the status of your application online and act on all pending and/or rejected credentialing requirements. Please allow 3 to 4 months processing time. 

CaRMS R-1 matched residents: CPSO will contact you, at the email address you provided to CaRMS, after the match results are received with instructions on how to log into your account. You do not need to complete the self-screening questionnaire to obtain an application.

Application Deadlines for CaRMS Residents:

• First iteration CaRMS match: March 31, 2026
• Second iteration CaRMS match: May 19, 2026

Many documents in addition to the payment of fees, need to be submitted before your certificate of registration (licence) is officially issued by CPSO including:

• Application form (includes MINC consent form)
• Copy of medical degree
• Copy of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Resident of Canada card, or valid Canadian work permit (once received)
• Criminal Record Check – Refer to the “Vulnerable Sector Screening” section below
  • Type required: Level 2 Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check CRJMC (Residents outside of Canada)
• Copy of updated CV

Depending on your situation, other items may be required. Once the initial assessment of your application is complete, you will receive a message to log into your member portal to check the status of all outstanding requirements. 

A number of other supporting documents must be sent to CPSO directly by the Source Organization, including medical school transcript, evidence of standing, verification of non-clinical or non-medical employment.

Important:

• Ontario training appointment contact information: You must provide your program’s address, as this becomes the contact info that will be used by pharmacies for prescription refills. DO NOT provide any contact information of the PGME Office.
• When to apply: To avoid additional costs, do not apply more than 6 months prior to your start date, as third-party documents may only be valid for 6 months.
• File status: Please ensure to view your online member portal regularly throughout the enrolment process.

Please retain your Applicant Number, as it is required for eLOA submission. Once your eLOA is electronically signed and submitted, PGME will upload details of your appointment to CPSO on your behalf.

*CLINICAL FELLOWS: Any resident completing a residency program and being subsequently appointed as a Clinical Fellow must either renew their Postgraduate Education Licence or apply for an Independent Practice Certificate of Registration, if intending to bill OHIP for services during the fellowship. No trainee will be permitted to bill OHIP with an Educational Licence.

International Trainees, you will not see the checkmark beside the CPSO requirement on your Compliance Checklist until you have arrived in Canada and received your official work permit document, since this is a mandatory document required by CPSO. 

Where to Submit/Get Information

CPSO Member Portal

Application Information

Contact: 416-967-2617 (Toll Free: 1-800 268-7096) 

Ottawa Police Services

Read and submit the Declaration of Professionalism online via your Compliance Checklist. 

Where to Submit/Get Information

Compliance Checklist in Student Center via uoZone

Electronically sign and submit your eLOA online via the Compliance Checklist. 

You must include your CPSO Applicant Number (e.g. AP123456), or your CPSO licence number if you had one in the past, in order to electronically "sign" your eLOA.

Once your eLOA is submitted, PGME will upload details of your appointment to CPSO on your behalf. We are aware that CPSO will not accept the eLOA unless it comes directly from PGME.

Error(s) on eLOA:

• If the address on the eLOA has changed, please still go ahead and submit your eLOA to avoid delays. Note that you can update your address after your eLOA has been submitted. Your address can be updated in the Student Centre via uoZone. Once you have updated your address, you can refresh your eLOA and print/save a copy for your records.
• If the MD and/or any other information is incorrect on your eLOA, please contact PGME.

To obtain a copy of your eLOA: click on “LOA/COA Confirmation” in the Student Centre via uoZone, then select “Print/View LOA”.

Important: The LOA covers only one academic year at a time (July 1^st to June 30^th).  If you are starting after July 1^st(e.g. January 1^st), the remainder of your training will be reflected on your LOA for the following academic year. Your LOA will never go beyond June 30^th.

Where to Submit/Get Information

Compliance Checklist in Student Center via uoZone

PGME: [email protected]

In the event of an emergency, a notification will automatically be sent to your uOttawa email. You can also download the uOttawa safety app: SecurUO to receive emergency alerts via push notifications on your device. The alert system ensures you can be reached efficiently and effectively through a variety of methods. 

It’s vital that we have current emergency contact information should anything happen to you.

Do not wait! Update your emergency contact and next of kin information on uoZone right away. In uoZone, go to Applications and select Emergency Contacts.

Where to Submit/Get Information

Protection Services

uoZone

Additional requirements exist, including a valid employment authorization (work permit) and health insurance coverage.

Work Permit: If you haven’t yet received the documents required for your work permit application from our immigration advisor, please contact PGME immediately. Before planning your trip to Canada, review the Government of Canada checklist that is relevant to your travel situation.

Health Insurance: It is mandatory to apply for OHIP in-person immediately upon arrival or purchase UHIP (University Health Insurance Plan).

Guidelines to help prepare for your arrival will be sent via email 6-weeks prior to your start date.

IMPORTANT: If you have decided to withdraw from your training or are certain that you will not be able to start as scheduled, please inform the PGME Office and your program.

We recommend that you arrive in Canada 15-20 days ahead of your planned start date to complete in-person requirements.

Please view the New International Medical Trainee Information Booklet for additional information.

Where To Submit/Get Information

PGME: [email protected]

The Clinical Placement Risk Management Nurse Advisor will contact you directly regarding your immunization requirements, including deadlines.

It is imperative to comply with the uOttawa immunization requirements and to check your uOttawa email regularly, as some requirements take time to complete.

Important: There are no religious or philosophical accommodations for immunization requirements.

Note: Your N95 Mask Fit Testing can be completed during orientation; details will be provided via email by the Office of Continuing Professional Development.

Where To Submit/Get Information

Email: [email protected]

Clinical Placement Risk Management | Faculty of Medicine Website

A $1,015 annual fee (effective July 1, 2026) payable to the University of Ottawa is due before you begin your training.

You will receive an invoice and communications from the Financial Resources Office on how to pay your registration fee, and you will require your University of Ottawa student/account number for the payment. Your student number can be found in uoZone. It is recommended that you pay with your financial institution via online banking. Add the University of Ottawa as the new company/payee and use your student number as the account number. Please note that you cannot start training until your fees are fully paid.

New International Trainees:  You are advised to make your payment only once you arrive in Canada and open a Canadian bank account. Please be advised that you cannot start training until your fees have been completely paid. 

*NOTE - if you are sponsored by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau or the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND), your registration fees will be paid directly by the sponsor. Please do not pay them yourself.

Where to Submit/Get Information

Financial Resources

uoZone

Registration fee refunds apply only to trainees who complete their training off-cycle, that is, on a date other than June 30^th. Refund requests must be submitted on or after your final day of training and no later than 30 days from that date. No exceptions.

Where to Submit/Get Information

PGME - Registration Fee Refund Request

Trainees are required to complete the online VSS Self-Declaration form annually, which can be accessed through the Compliance Checklist in the uoZone Student Center. 

The Faculty of Medicine Clinical Placement Risk Management (FoM CPRM) Office will contact you directly via email regarding your police check requirements and timeline. For more details on how to request a VSS, please visit their  website. 

NOTE: A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) and a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) are not the same; however, they may be issued together in a single document if you reside in Canada. 

• CRJMC: A criminal background check that includes local police records and searches for outstanding charges. This document is required as part of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) licensing application but is not sufficient to begin your uOttawa training.
• VSS: The uOttawa FoM CPRM Office requires a VSS, a more comprehensive check for individuals intending to work or volunteer with vulnerable populations (e.g., children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities). It screens for police involvement and any sexual offence convictions that have been pardoned. You must submit either the original VSS or a secure electronic version to the FoM CPRM office. This is mandatory to comply with risk management obligations to affiliated hospitals. Scanned, photocopied, or emailed copies will not be accepted.
• The CPSO accepts a VSS in place of a CRJMC, as the VSS is the highest level of screening available. Therefore, if you currently reside in Canada, you may apply for a VSS and submit the original to uOttawa and a copy to the CPSO to finalize your licensing application. 

How to obtain a VSS (for those residing in Canada):

• Apply online or in-person through your local police service. Procedures vary by city and some jurisdictions may require a letter or form from the institution, which you can request from [email protected]. Please consult your local police service website for specific details. 

Visa Trainees Arriving in Canada: 

For CPSO: 

• The CPSO requires a Canadian Criminal Records and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC) Level 2 to issue your medical licence, even if you've never been to Canada. This can be obtained online once you have proof of an Ottawa address. 

  Options for obtaining a CRJMC:

  • Ottawa Police Service: If you don’t yet have a Social Insurance Number, enter "000 000 000" in the application. You will then be asked to book an in-person appointment for ID verification. Delays are possible, so please plan ahead. If you have any questions, email [email protected].
  • Triton Canada: Online option with fast results, often completed in 15 minutes or less.

  • Port Hope Police: Results typically available online within 3–5 business days.

Once you receive your CRJMC results, you can upload them to the CPSO member portal or email them to [email protected].

For FoM CPRM Office:

• Trainees living outside of Canada must provide an original VSS (or equivalent) that is no older than six months from your scheduled start date. This applies to every country where you have lived for six consecutive months or longer within the last five years.
• Obtain your foreign police certificate before leaving your country to avoid any delays.
• If the police certificate is not in English or French, you must submit both the original and a certified translation.
• Trainees who have lived in Canada for the last five years can request a Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) and submit it for both CPSO and FoM CPRM requirements.
• The police service will send your VSS results either as:
  • An official electronic copy via email - send the secure file including any password required to access it.
  • A hard copy – submit the original with either an embossed police service seal or the signature of a police official. 

Where to Submit/Get Information 

Compliance Checklist in Student Center via uoZone

FoM CPRM Office: 
University of Ottawa
Roger Guindon Hall (RGN)
Faculty of Medicine, CPRM Office 
451 Smyth Road, room 3071 
Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada

For all VSS questions or concerns, please email: [email protected].

The modules are available via Brightspace. Use of desktop/laptop highly recommended to complete the modules below.

Login: Same credentials as your uOttawa email.

Once logged into Brightspace, select "PGME 2026 New Trainees".

Module 1: Emergency Codes (renewed annually)

Module 2: Infection Control (renewed annually)

Module 3: WHMIS (renewed annually)

Module 4: Privacy and Information Security (renewed annually)

Module 5: Workplace Violence: Recognizing, Preventing & Responding

Module 6: Teaching Medical Students: A Toolkit for Trainees

Module 7: Radiation and Laser Safety

Module 8: The Ministry of Labour - Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 steps

Module 9: The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) - Working Together: The Code and the AODA

Module 10: Prevent Mistreatment: Be In The Know

For modules 8 & 9, you will receive a certificate upon completion. In order to receive credit, you must attach each certificate in Brightspace (follow instructions in Brightspace).

If identical modules are completed on The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) or the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) platform: email [email protected] a screenshot of module completion.

Please allow 1 week for the checkmark to appear on your checklist. 

Where to Submit/Get Information

Brightspace

It is imperative to regularly monitor your uOttawa email throughout your training in order to receive important communication from the PGME Office, the Clinical Placement Risk Management Office, as well as Paymaster for Canadian residents. 

NOTE some email account settings will place emails received from the University into their Junk, Clutter, or Spam folders. Please continue to monitor all folders for receipt of your uOttawa email credentials.

Where to Submit/Get Information

MedTech (IT) for username and password help 

• Login to your @uOttawa.ca email
• Configuring your uOttawa e-mail on a mobile device (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

The University of Ottawa’s online student services/Student Center can be found on the uoZone student portal. Access it for financial statements, tax forms (T2202), your letter of appointment, etc.

To access your Student Center which also contains your Compliance Checklist:

• Proceed to the uOttawa website for Current Students (Google Chrome recommended).
• Scroll down until you see the link for "uoZone" under "Access your accounts".
• Log in using your uOttawa email credentials:
  • Username: short name before your @uOttawa.ca email address (e.g.: jsmit001)
  • Password: same password as your uOttawa email.
• Once logged in, click on "Student Center" under the "Applications" tab.

Where to Submit/Get Information

Student Center via uoZone

You can update your personal information, such as your address or non-uOttawa email, directly through your uoZone.

• Proceed to the uOttawa website for Current Students (Google Chrome recommended).
• Scroll down until you see the link for "uoZone" under "Access your accounts".
• Log in using your uOttawa email credentials:
  • Username: short name before your @uOttawa.ca email address (e.g.: jsmit001)
  • Password: same password as your uOttawa email.
• Once logged in, click on "Student Center" under the "Applications" tab.
• Click on the "General Info" at the top of the page.
• You will then be able to edit your personal information.

Where to Submit/Get Information

Student Center via uoZone