Practice Ready Ontario
Practice Ready Ontario is a practice ready assessment program that offers a route to licensure for eligible internationally trained family physicians who wish to practise in the province.
Touchstone Institute administers Practice Ready Ontario, working with the Government of Ontario, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and other health sector partners.
About the Program
Practice Ready Ontario offers a new, streamlined pathway for qualified and experienced international physicians to be licensed as family physicians in Ontario.
With a rigorous approach to practice ready assessment, Practice Ready Ontario recognizes and builds public confidence in the knowledge, approaches, and competence of internationally trained physicians.
To participate, Internationally Trained Physicians must have completed postgraduate training and have experience of independent practice in family medicine or as a general practitioner outside Canada and meet other criteria.
Practice Ready Ontario takes a significant step to increasing access to family doctors for Ontarians: Each successful candidate must complete a three-year return of service as a family physician in the province. In 2024, Practice Ready Ontario will add as many as 50 family doctors in high need, rural areas.
Who Should Apply
Practice Ready Ontario is for internationally trained physicians – those with medical degree and post-graduate training outside Canada. Canadian citizens or permanent residents, regardless of nationality at birth, may apply to Practice Ready Ontario provided they can commit to working for three years in a rural high need Ontario community (a return of service obligation), and have:
There are additional criteria for applicants.
What You Need To Know
Watch this short presentation for an in-depth view of Practice Ready Ontario.
A Pathway to Licensure
Practice Ready Ontario offers eligible internationally trained family physicians a route to becoming licensed to practice in the province. Practice Ready Ontario aligns with the Medical Council of Canada’s National Assessment Collaborative pan-Canadian standards for practice ready assessments.
More information on each step of the process can be found later on this page (see The Process), and here are key aspects of the program:
There are rigorous standards for advancing within Practice Ready Ontario – meeting the minimum requirements for any phase does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected. Applicants who are assessed as ineligible in Phase 1 of the application process are encouraged to re-apply once they meet the criteria.
There are costs associated with becoming licensed as a family physician in Ontario. The tables below outline how these associated costs may be relevant to Practice Ready Ontario candidates.
Eligibility
See detailed information here on the application requirements for Practice Ready Ontario:
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
The Process
Practice Ready Ontario comprises three phases and includes a Return of Service obligation for candidates who successfully complete their clinical field assessment.
Phase 1: Application and Screening
Applications are completed through the Practice Ready Ontario Application Portal. Applicants must confirm their eligibility and share documentation with program administrators using physiciansapply.ca.
In determining the eligibility of applicants, program administrators consult with the program’s clinical director and review candidates’ medical qualifications, postgraduate training and rotations, and hours of independence.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
Phase 2: Verification and Selection
Completing the application and screening to reach Phase 2 of Practice Ready Ontario does not guarantee being selected to continue in the program.
If invited to Phase 2, applicants are asked to complete the Phase 2 application form on the Practice Ready Ontario portal. Steps in the process include submitting evidence of certain requirements for verification, writing the Therapeutics Decision-Making Examination, an interview, and applying for a restricted license through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO).
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
Phase 3: Clinical Field Assessment
Candidates selected to enter Phase 3 of Practice Ready Ontario must complete a program orientation session through Touchstone Institute. Candidates must sign a three-year return of service agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health (see following section on Return of Service) before completing their 12-week clinical field assessment.
The clinical field assessment enables candidates to demonstrate the competencies required for independent practice as a family doctor in Ontario.
Candidates work under direct supervision of experienced clinical assessors who observe, assess, and provide feedback on clinical and non-clinical skills related to family medicine. In the course of the assessment period, candidates experience a broad range of patient presentations that are common to family practice, including emergency practice.
The outcomes of the clinical field assessment are reviewed by the Practice Ready Ontario Assessment Committee; the Committee makes final determinations regarding candidate success.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
Return of Service
Candidates who successfully complete the Phase 3 clinical field assessment are required to work a minimum of three years as a full-time physician in a rural, high-need community in the province.
To help ensure Practice Ready Ontario candidates can make informed decisions about their Return of Service site, they may sign the contractual agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health at any time before completing their clinical field assessment.
The return of service must be fulfilled in the Ontario community in which the offer of employment was secured.
Clinical Field Assessment: Locations
A Practice Ready Ontario candidate may not complete their clinical field assessment and their Return of Service in the same practice location.
A clinical field assessment community may be an option for return of service only when an independent clinical field assessment of the candidate can be guaranteed. Assessors may not be sponsors or signatories in the practice location agreement. This requirement is designed to minimize potential biases and conflicts of interests and is consistent with policies for practice ready assessment programs in Canada.
Rurality Requirement
To serve as a return of service location for Practice Ready Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Health requires that a practice be in a community with a Rurality Index of Ontario* (RIO) score of 40 or more, or in a Northern Urban Referral Centre (i.e., Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Thunder Bay).
* RIO measures rurality based on three factors: population (count and density); travel time to a basic referral centre; and travel time to an advanced referral centre. RIO scores are assigned to Statistics Canada census subdivisions. Use this tool to find RIO scores by postal codes.
Pre-existing Obligations
Participating physicians with pre-existing return of service obligations must disclose these at the time of application. Practice Ready Ontario candidates may not participate in both the International Medical Graduate Training return of service program and Practice Ready Ontario.
Program Fees
Costs that may be incurred by Practice Ready Ontario candidates vary by individual circumstances. Here is a summary of anticipated costs in 2023-2024.
Applicant Resources
Practice Ready Ontario Application Guide
Practice Ready Ontario Privacy Policy
Practice Ready Ontario CV Template
Practice Ready Ontario Applicant Information Flyer
Updates
Watch this space for the latest Practice Ready Ontario news, including upcoming application windows.
Stay Connected
Sign up: Sign up to Practice Ready Ontario’s mailing list and get updates to your inbox.
Helpful Links
Check out the Practice Ready Ontario FAQs for potential candidates and assessors.
More questions or comments?
Contact Touchstone by phone: [add phone number]
Email Touchstone:
Touchstone Institute is seeking clinical assessors for Practice Ready Ontario. See Assessor information on this page to learn more about the role and complete the Expression of Interest Form.
Clinical Field Assessment: Overview
Practice Ready Ontario is a key initiative toward increasing the number of family physicians in the province, especially in rural, high-need communities.
A crucial phase in screening and assessing qualified internationally trained family physician candidates for licensure is the 12-week clinical field assessment.
A clinical field assessment is a supervised assessment period, not a training period. At host sites, candidates work under the direct supervision of physician assessors, who observe, assess, and provide feedback on their clinical and non-clinical skills related to family medicine.
Clinical field assessments are designed to take place in a community that is demographically like a candidate’s agreed-upon return of service community (More information below on return of service and assessment sites).
Each Practice Ready Ontario candidate is assigned a primary assessor and several clinical assessors. A primary clinical assessor for one candidate may serve as a secondary assessor for another, and vice versa. Primary and secondary clinical assessors together determine how to divide their time with the candidate.
In the assessor certification process, clinical assessors receive significant training and guidance on how best to structure the clinical field assessment. It is the responsibility of the clinical assessor to determine how a clinical field assessment can be structured best for the practice, their colleagues, and the candidate. While clinical field assessments will look different for each assessor and candidate, observation time is expected to decrease over the 12 weeks of the assessment.
Clinical Field Assessment: Site Characteristics
Clinical Field Assessment sites must have a Rurality Index of Ontario score of 40 or greater, or be a Northern Urban Referral Centre (i.e., Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie or Thunder Bay).
In addition, a site is expected to:
Clinical Assessors
Clinical assessors are critical to the Practice Ready Ontario process, particularly the 12-week clinical field assessment period. Assessors receive training, certification, and competitive remuneration for the role. The role also brings other benefits, including:
Clinical assessors must complete certification training, which includes an in-person workshop and additional online learning modules, before the start date of the clinical field assessment. Other core responsibilities include:
- Availability on site – or if unavailable, assigning a delegate to be available – when the candidate is delivering patient care
- Submission of online assessment forms. This responsibility is divided amongst primary and secondary assessors.
- Evaluation and recommendations on candidate’s readiness for independent practice in Ontario. Assessor recommendations are evaluated by a larger assessment committee which makes the final decision on candidate success.
Practice Ready Ontario clinical assessors must be practising actively or have privileges in a community that meets the assessment site criteria. Physicians who meet the following additional requirements are encouraged to apply:
- Full license in good standing from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
- Active clinical practice for at least three years, one of which must have been in Ontario
- Practising in a community with a RIO score of 40 and above, or in a Northern Urban referral Centre (i.e., Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie or Thunder Bay)
- Skilled in evaluating, mentoring, and teaching
The Ontario Ministry of Health requires each successful candidate to work as a family physician in a high-need rural community for at least three years after completing their clinical field assessment.
To be eligible as a return of service site, a community must have a Rurality Index for Ontario (RIO) score of 40 or greater, or be within a Northern Urban Referral Centre such as Timmins, North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay.
Next Steps For Rural Communities
Attention clinicians and other decision makers in rural Ontario: Take a step toward improving primary care in your community.
Quick Links
Complete the Expression of Interest Form for potential Practice Ready Ontario clinical field assessment sites
Contact Ontario Health to learn how your community might serve as a Return of Service site for successful Practice Ready Ontario candidates.
Stay Connected
For more information, contact Touchstone Institute: [Add email]
Potential Applicants
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
General Information
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
Assessors And Assessment Sites
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
Application Status
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
Return Of Service
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
All Touchstone Institute sessions are developed and delivered by practising physicians in Ontario who are considered to be subject matter experts in their field. This allows learners to engage in a unique learning environment with physicians who not only understand their needs as an IMG, but also impart knowledge to help learners succeed in future training.
Program Partners
Touchstone Institute works with the Government of Ontario, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and the Medical Council of Canada to deliver Practice Ready Ontario, a practice ready assessment program for internationally trained family physicians in Ontario.
