Criteria for Graduates of Non‑LCME/CACMS‑Accredited Medical Schools including Graduates of US Schools of Osteopathic Medicine (GNLCAMS)

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of application. When applying, you must submit one of the following verifications.  

• a photocopy of birth certificate issued by an authority in Canada with any photo identification
• a photocopy of Canadian passport
• a photocopy of Canadian citizenship certificate or record of a landing
• a photocopy of  permanent resident card/Canadian citizen card

GNLCAMS must be a graduate of an acceptable medical school or Graduates of US schools of Osteopathic Medicine and must meet provincial licensing eligibility in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

A notarized/certified copy of medical school marks or transcripts and medical degree or diploma must be submitted. Documents that aren't in English must be accompanied by a notarized translation.

Dalhousie University requires all applicants to be eligible to register for a license to enable them to train within the Maritimes. Both the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island have specific regulations regarding English language proficiency for physicians from outside of Canada.

Below are links to the policies for each of the colleges. Candidates applying for postgraduate training must meet these requirements-

CPSNS Language Requirement  

CPSPEI Language Requirement [PDF - 282kB]

For all candidates applying through CaRMS, a pass in the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Exam (MCCEE) or Proof of Performance of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exams (MCCQE) (part 1).  For DO candidates, the COMLEX is an acceptable alternative. For further information regarding Medical Council of Canada examinations you may contact:

Medical Council of Canada
2283 boul St. Laurent
Ottawa, ON
K1G 5A2
Phone: 613-521-6012

To be eligible to take the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination (part 1), your medical school must be listed in the World Health Organization directory of medical schools.

The NAC-OSCE was introduced in Canada specifically to evaluate graduates of Non-LCME/CACMS-Accredited Medical Schools. The National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) is the group that organizes, manages and runs the exam. The Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) is the exam itself. Information regarding the NAC OSCE can be found at the following site

The NAC exam requirement for GNLCAMS will be waived for trainees who are currently enrolled in a Canadian residency program and wish to apply through the CaRMS 2nd iteration.

All applicants must be eligible to register for an educational license with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.  For more information on licensing eligibility, please visit the relevant provincial college.

Those accepted through the match for training who are graduates of non-LCME/CACMS-accredited medical schools please note that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia requires proof, as part of their completed license application, that verification through the Medical Council of Canada’s “Physicians Apply” has been initiated. For more information on the verification of credentials, please visit the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Physician Credentials;  this portal will allow the applicant to share their credentials with the College. You can also visit Physicians Apply for additional information.

GNLCAMS must be eligible to enter into a return of service agreement with the specific sponsoring Ministry of Health of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island.

Any candidate who has an undischarged Return of Service (ROS) obligation may not be eligible to begin Ministry-funded training positions at Dalhousie.  Candidates holding a pre-existing ROS obligation must disclose such obligations and provide a letter from their sponsor stating that they may participate in match at the time of application.

All those matching to positions in the GNLCAMS stream are required to sign a return of service contract with the specific sponsoring Ministry of Health of Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island prior to starting their residency.

Such individuals must contact each Ministry for further information.