Clinical Assessment Program

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are a diverse group from medical schools around the world. Every person’s unique story reflects a broad range of experience, from years of practice to no patient experience at all. As medical education varies widely among IMGs, prior to gaining access to residency in Canada, all IMGs must complete a series of standardized assessments to ensure they meet the minimum Canadian medical education standards and have the required skills to start residency training.

IMGs seeking to be matched to a residency position in British Columbia are required to participate in UBC’s Clinical Assessment Program (CAP). The CAP provides a transparent and equitable process designed to support UBC residency programs’ assessment of candidates’ past clinical experience as both a learner and a practitioner, and to evaluate their potential for success in residency training and suitability for working in communities across B.C. Since 2017, the number of CAP positions has tripled from 100 to 300.

2024 CaRMS R-1 Main Residency Match (R-1 match) Update in British Columbia

The Government of BC is launching a new medical residency stream in 2024 which will offer up to 20 expanded residency opportunities to Canadian Medical Graduates and International Medical Graduates in the following specialties: Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Psychiatry, Radiology (Diagnostic) and Urology. To accommodate this new stream, the CAP positions in 2023 will be increased from 300 to 360.

Program Overview

UBC’s Clinical Assessment Program will only be offered in the fall of each year. In 2023, all 360 selected candidates will take the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) assessment in one weekend. For applicants applying to a 2023 CAP position, a combination of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam (MCCQE) Part 1 score, the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Examination score, and a comprehensive file review will be used to select candidates for a CAP position.

Over the course of the one-day assessment using the MMI format, candidates will participate in a series of structured oral interviews, with each interview assessing their competence relative to one of more of the CanMEDS roles.

At the end of the assessment a written evaluation will be submitted on the candidate’s behalf to CaRMS.

In 2017, CAP was streamlined from four weeks to a one-day, mandatory evaluation. Completion of this standardized assessment is mandatory for all IMGs applying to UBC residency positions. Please note that if you participated in the previous four-week CAP, you will need to take part in the new one-day assessment in order to apply to a UBC residency position.

2024 Clinical Assessment Program Timeline

The CAP Timeline is established in response to the CaRMS deadlines and the Medical Council of Canada’s session dates for the MCCQE Part 1 and the NAC Examination.

Refer to the IMGBC Timeline page for 2024/25 key dates.

Apply to the Program

To apply for the Clinical Assessment Program, you will need to demonstrate:

Should you wish to apply to the Clinical Assessment Program as a B.C. resident, you will need to demonstrate your residency. You will be asked to submit your Personal Health Number found on your BC Services or BC Care Card. The coverage must be valid through the entire application cycle and will be checked. The IMGBC Office may ask for additional documentation if required to clarify residency status.

You are considered a B.C. resident if:

  • You hold current BC medical coverage (MSP)

Application Process >