University of Manitoba - Faculty of Medicine - Education - International Medical Graduate Program

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions for the IMGACL (click to jump to the FAQ's) and the MLPIMG (click to jump to the FAQ's). If your question is not addressed here, please call us or email us your question.

Frequently asked questions for the IMGACL

Which program should I apply to (MLPIMG or IMGACL)?
This is a personal decision but some points to think about are:
1. IMGACL is an assessment program -- requires Conditional Registration with the CPSM http://www.cpsm.mb.ca/2_1_2_2_conditional.php
  MLPIMG is a training program -- requires Educational Registration with the CPSM http://www.cpsm.mb.ca/7_forms.php
2. Are you confident that you are practice ready (IMGACL) and can practice independently in rural Manitoba or do you require some training (MLPIMG)
3. Are you familiar with the Canadian Medical system (IMGACL) or do you require additional training (MLPIMG)?
What are the acceptance rates of the IMGACL and MLPIMG?
1. 2011 IMGACL - 73 applicants, 5 accepted with a 6.8% acceptance rate
2. 2011 MLPIMG - 226 applicants, 19 accepted with a 8.4% acceptance rate
Can I apply to both the IMGACL and the MLPIMG at the same time?
1. No.
2. You can apply for only one program at a given time
What do I need to do to apply to the IMGACL?
1. Check to see if you meet our program requirements (Eligibility)
2. See Assessment -Family Physician to see the steps required to apply to the program and for information on the program
3. Download the application package and how to apply instructions or request a package from the IMG Program Office
4. Candidates must be eligible for Conditional Registration with the CPSM. Only shortlisted applicants (following initial file review) will be asked to submit an application for Conditional Registration to the CPSM by a specified deadline. http://www.cpsm.mb.ca/
Why is conditional registration required as part of the admission process to the IMGACL?
1. The IMGACL is a part of the application for conditional licensure
2. To practice medicine in Manitoba, you must have conditional or full licensure
3. The IMGACL is the final legislated requirement of obtaining conditional registration for licensure with the CPSM.
Can I be admitted into the IMGACL if I do not have conditional registration with the CPSM?
No
When can I apply for conditional registration with the CPSM?
Anytime
1. Candidates can apply for conditional registration at anytime with the CPSM, although applicants are encouraged to wait until they have been shortlisted by the IMG Program office (applicants will be notified upon completion of the file review),
2. Applicants should be aware that an application for Conditional Registration submitted to the CPSM before the IMGACL application has been shortlisted may become stale dated (an application to the CPSM is valid for a period of six months from the date the application is received in the CPSM offices) and therefore is no longer valid,
3. As well, the CPSM documentation fee of $500 must accompany the application for Conditional Registration to the CPSM and will not be refunded if you are not shortlisted. Therefore it may be to your advantage to wait until you are shortlisted.
When can I apply for the IMGACL?
1. Application package for the IMGACL 2013 year is now available on our website
2. Applicants for the IMGACL can apply before or on the application deadline
What is the Application Deadline for the IMGACL?
1. The application deadline is May 1, 2012
2. The IMGACL will begin February 11, 2013
3. See important dates and check the application packages
What is new for the 2013 IMGACL?
1. Shortlisted applicants only will be asked to submit an application to the CPSM for Conditional Registration
2. English Language requirement - TOEFL-iBT required to have a score of at least 100 with minimum score of 25 in speaking and listening
3. MCCQE1 is now an eligibility requirement (Eligibility)
4. Check How to apply and the application packages
Can I send my application online?
No.
Where do I send my application?
International Medical Graduate Program
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine
S203 Medical Services Building
750 Bannatyne Ave.
Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2
(see IMG Program contacts)
Is there an application fee?
1. No. IMGACL does not have an application fee
2. The CPSM has a fee for the application for Conditional Registration http://www.cpsm.mb.ca/
If I have applied to the IMG Program previously, do I need to submit all my documents again?
1. Yes. You must submit all the documents again.
2. We do not use applications submitted previously.
What is required of my reference letters?
1. Your three (3) reference letters must be signed and dated and no greater than 24 months old
2. Letters should refer to your skills and work experience
3. Only the first three references will be reviewed. Please don’t send more letters
4. Provide detailed and current contact information for your references on the application form
Do my reference letters have to be from a physician?
1. Referees must be three persons with recent professional/educational knowledge of you, i.e.:
  1. A supervisor responsible for training, if you have recently completed postgraduate clinical training
  2. A physician in a supervisory position in a hospital where you have practised most recently
  3. A physician colleague with whom you have practised most recently
2. Referees cannot be a relative
Are there English Language requirements for the IMGACL?
Yes. In order to be consistent with Postgraduate Medical Education at the University of Manitoba the TOEFL-iBT is now a requirement as part of the IMGACL.
What are the minimum English Language requirements for the IMGACL?
1. TOEFL-iBT:
  1. total - minimum score of 100
  2. speaking - minimum score of 25
  3. listening - minimum score of 25
Where can I take the TOEFL-iBT exam?
For information regarding the nearest assessment centre go to www.ets.org/toefl/ or http://www.toefl.com/.
What other documents should I send with my application?
Only send the documents on the checklist.
After I have submitted documents, will you be able to send them back to me?
1. No
2. Do not send any original documents
3. Submit certified copies of your documents
Can you send my documents to another institution at my request?
No
I have updated information to add to my application after the deadline, can I send it in?
1. You should send in updated contact information at any time
2. You may send in updates for additional exams such as MCCQE2 and NAC OSCE results by August 15, 2012. These exams are not required, but may increase your competitiveness
3. No updates will be accepted after August 15, 2012
When will I hear back about the status of my application?
1. Please see the Important Dates, important dates are also included in the application package.
2. An official letter will notify you of the status of your application at each step
After selection for the IMGACL, when will I know my schedule?
Schedules will be released as soon as possible
Where will my assessment take place?
1. Clinics and hospitals throughout rural and Northern Manitoba
Can I request a site or region for my assessment?
1. You cannot request a region for your assessment
2. The assessment cannot be in the region that is sponsoring you
3. Family members undergoing assessments at the same time cannot expect to be placed in the same region or site for their assessments
Who will pay for my accommodation during the assessment?
You will arrange and pay for your own accommodation during orientation and assessment
Will I receive an income during the assessment?
You will receive an income during orientation and assessment

Frequently asked questions for the MLPIMG:

Which program should I apply to (MLPIMG or IMGACL)?
This is a personal decision but some points to think about are:
1. IMGACL is an assessment program -- requires Conditional Registration with the CPSM http://www.cpsm.mb.ca/2_1_2_2_conditional.php
  MLPIMG is a training program -- requires Educational Registration with the CPSM http://www.cpsm.mb.ca/7_forms.php
2. Are you confident that you are practice ready (IMGACL) and can practice independently in rural Manitoba or do you require some training (MLPIMG)
3. Are you familiar with the Canadian Medical system (IMGACL) or do you require additional training (MLPIMG)?
What are the acceptance rates of the IMGACL and MLPIMG?
1. 2011 IMGACL - 73 applicants, 5 accepted with a 6.8% acceptance rate.
2. 2011 MLPIMG - 226 applicants, 19 accepted with a 8.4% acceptance rate
Can I apply to both the MLPIMG and the IMGACL at the same time?
1. No.
2. You can apply for only one program at a given time
What do I need to do to apply to the MLPIMG?
1. Check our program requirements (Eligibility)
2. See Training - Family Physician for the steps required to apply to the program and a review of the program
3. Download the application package and how to apply instructions or request a package from the IMG Program Office
When can I apply for the MLPIMG?
1. Application package for the MLPIMG 2012 year is now available on our website
2. Applicants for the MLPIMG can apply before or on the application deadline
What is the Application Deadline?
1. The application deadline is May 1, 2012
2. The MLPIMG will begin February 7, 2013
3. See important dates and check the application packages
What is new for the 2013 MLPIMG?
1. The NAC OSCE results must be submitted with your application by the deadline of May 1, 2012. For those registered to write the NAC OSCE in March/2012; results must be submitted no later than May 15, 2012
2. English Language requirement - TOEFL-iBT required to have a score of at least 100 with minimum score of 25 in speaking and listening. In order to be consistent with Postgraduate Medical Education at the Univeristy of Manitoba we will now accept the TOEFL-iBT only,
3. Applicants must submit evidence of postgraduate clinical training to the Physician Credentials Registry of Canada (PCRC) for verification by the MLPIMG application deadline. The CPSM will review preregistration training documentation which has been source verified by the PCRC. It is the applicants responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received by the deadline (see Application packages for further instruction).
4. Check How to apply and the Application packages
I have done an OSCE, but it is not the NAC OSCE, will that be acceptable?
No. Only the NAC OSCE will be accepted.
Is there an application fee?
1. No. MLPIMG does not have an application fee
Where do I send my application?
International Medical Graduate Program
University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine
S203 Medical Services Building
750 Bannatyne Ave.
Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0W2
(see IMG Program contacts)
If I have applied to the IMG Program previously, do I need to submit all my documents again?
1. Yes.
2. We do not use applications submitted in previous years.
If I have already submitted Evidence of Preregistration Physician Training to the CPSM, do I have to submit this document again?
1. The CPSM will determine if you need to send this again.
2. Please email Mrs. Miller at mmiller@cpsm.mb.ca with subject title “MLPIMG Application”
What is required of my reference letters?
1. Your three (3) reference letters must be signed and dated and no greater than 24 months old
2. Letters should refer to your skills and work experience
3. Only the first three references will be reviewed. Please don’t send more letters
4. Provide detailed and current contact information for your references on the application form
Do my reference letters have to be from a physician?
1. Referees must be three persons with recent professional/educational knowledge of you, i.e.:
  1. A supervisor responsible for training, if you have recently completed postgraduate clinical training
  2. A physician in a supervisory position in a hospital where you have practised most recently
  3. A physician colleague with whom you have practised most recently
2. Referees cannot be a relative
What are the minimum English Language requirements for the MLPIMG?
1. TOEFL-iBT:
  1. total - minimum score of 100
  2. speaking - minimum score of 25
  3. listening - minimum score of 25
Where can I take the TOEFL Exam?
For information regarding the nearest assessment centre go to www.ets.org/toefl/ or http://www.toefl.com/.
After I have submitted documents, will you be able to send them back to me?
1. No. We are unable to return documents.
2. Do not send any original documents
3. Submit certified copies of your documents
Can you send my documents to another institution at my request?
No
What other documents should I send with my application?
Only send the documents on the checklist
I have updated information to add to my application after the deadline, can I send it in?
1. You should send in updated contact information at any time
2. You must submit your NAC OSCE results by May 1, 2012. For those registered to write the NAC OSCE in March/2012; results must be submitted no later than May 15, 2012
3. You may send in updates such as MCCQE2 results by October 1, 2012. MCCQE2 is not required but may increase your competitiveness
4. No updates will be accepted after October 1, 2012
When will I hear back about the status of my application?
1. See important dates and check the application packages
2. An official letter will notify you of the status of your application at each step