Dear Colleagues,
After careful consideration, the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) has decided to postpone the spring 2020 Certification Examination in Family Medicine. This postponement applies to both the written (SAMPs) and performance (SOOs) components of our certification examination at all locations. The CFPC has been monitoring the rapidly evolving situation regarding COVID-19 across Canada and around the world and has determined that postponing the exam is the most prudent way to ensure the health and safety of our candidates, examiners, examination staff, and volunteers.
This decision has been made in consultation with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the Medical Council of Canada, which are also postponing their respective examinations. This is consistent with the advice of public health authorities to limit large public gatherings. We are also aware that many health care organizations and faculties of medicine have instructed their stakeholders to avoid non-essential travel. The CFPC is especially mindful that potential exposure to COVID-19 in the context of the examination could result in the quarantining of essential health care providers at a time when their communities need them the most.
The CFPC will announce the new examination schedule as soon as is reasonably possible. Among other things, decisions about the timing of the new examination schedule will be guided by recommendations from public health authorities and the need to ensure the health and safety of candidates, examiners, examination staff, and volunteers. As stated in the CFPC statement from March 10, 2020, exam fees paid for the spring 2020 sitting of the examination will be transferred (without penalty) to the next sitting.
The Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada and/or provincial colleges of physicians and surgeons are the authorities on the requirements for provisional and full licensure and/or registration to practise medicine in Canada. Should you have questions about licensure, you should contact your provincial college.
We regret any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding. If you have questions about the postponement of the examination, please contact ccfpexam@cfpc.ca.
Sincerely,
Francine Lemire, MD CM, CCFP, FCFP, CAE, ICD.D Nancy Fowler, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Executive Director and CEO, Executive Director,
College of Family Physicians of Canada Academic Family Medicine,
College of Family Physicians of Canada
UBC Family Practice Residency Program: Abbotsford-Mission Site 