PRA-NB

PRA-NB has a multi-step selection process. Meeting the minimum requirements for each phase does not guarantee that an applicant will be selected to advance to the next step of the program.

Step 1: Application 

Applications and pre-selection eligibility review for PRA-NB are open on an ongoing basis. Candidates who wish to be considered for future PRA-NB cohorts should apply as soon as their documents are in order.

 Please note: 

• Do not complete the application for PRA-NB until you have carefully reviewed the eligibility criteria.
• All PRA-NB applicants must submit a completed application for medical registration (AMR) to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick (CPSNB) via physiciansapply.ca. The intended scope of practice must be in family practice.  

• The $450 application fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee eligibility for the program. The Medical Council of Canada AMR fee is also non-refundable.

• When completing your AMR, read the instructions and answer each question carefully. Any errors, discrepancies, or omissions will delay the review of your application and may deem it ineligible.

• Prepare all necessary documents in advance, including ensuring all required credentials are submitted for source verification via physiciansapply.ca. All documents should also be translated to English or French, and shared with CPSNB where applicable. Proof of documentation is required to review your application.

• Additional documents may be requested after applying to determine your eligibility.

• All candidates will be notified of their eligibility status once their applications are processed.

• Eligible candidates will be notified of the next steps to be selected for the next available assessment.

Step 2: Selection  

Once candidates are deemed eligible by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick (CPSNB) to enter PRA-NB’s selection process, candidates will have to complete the following three (3) steps to be considered for PRA-NB’s Clinical Field Assessment (CFA).  

1. Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination 

Candidates who meet all the pre-screening eligibility criteria will be referred to sit the Medical Council of Canada Therapeutics Decision-Making (TDM) Examination (MCC TDM) if they do not already have a current pass standing on the MCC TDM Examination. The TDM Examination is available in English and French. 

2. Interview with PRA-NB Panel  

An eligible candidate who passes the MCC TDM Examination may be invited to a personal interview by the PRA-NB Selection Panel.  

The purpose of the interview is to determine personal and professional suitability to practice family medicine in New Brunswick. PRA-NB’s Interview Panel will take into consideration the following suitability criteria in ranking candidates:  

• length and relevance of family medicine practice, 
• currency of practice, 
• relevance of scope of practice, 
• relevance of rotations, 
• MCC exam scores, and 
• other factors deemed relevant by the Selection Panel. 

3. Matching process with the Regional Health Authorities  

Candidates who have been referred to the MCC TDM Examination and have passed, and successfully completed an interview with the PRA-NB Interview Panel will be referred to the Regional Health Authorities (RHA) (Horizon and Vitalité), who will facilitate interviews between the candidates and their medical staff.  

The Regional Health Authorities will provide the names of suitable candidates to the PRA-NB for the final selection process to enter into a Clinical Field Assessment (CFA).   

4. Final Selection 

A final review of eligible candidates’ files, MCC TDM results, interview scores, and RHA matching results will be assessed by the PRA-NB program for final and formal selection for participation in the program. 

Candidates who are chosen to become participants of PRA-NB’s CFA will be invited to an orientation process to prepare for the CFA.  

Step 3: Assessment 

Information regarding the Assessment process is under development and will be made available soon.  

Step 4: Return of Service  

Information regarding Return of Service for the PRA-NB program will be made available soon.  

Contact Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick (PRA-NB):  

Please carefully read the information available on our website. If the information does not address your inquiry, please send us an email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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The primary goal of PRA-NB is to ensure that internationally trained physicians participating in the program meet Canadian equivalent standards of medical expertise and patient care, while also addressing the need to increase the number of family physicians practising in the province.

Why is PRA-NB important for New Brunswick? 

Addresses the Healthcare Needs of New Brunswick

Internationally trained physicians are already an essential component of New Brunswick's healthcare system with nearly a third of all doctors in the province receiving their medical degrees outside of Canada.

New Brunswick faces unique healthcare challenges including demographic shifts, increasing demand for medical services, and in particular a growing need for family physicians.

Assures Patient Safety by Assessing Competence

Through the PRA-NB assessment process, patient safety remains a guiding value, ensuring that only safe and competent physicians are granted licensure to practice in the province. PRA-NB conducts comprehensive evaluations of the knowledge, skills, and clinical acumen of its candidates, ensuring they meet the standards of healthcare in Canada.

Increases Healthcare Workforce

By facilitating the entry of qualified physicians into the healthcare workforce, PRA-NB aims to address the shortage of medical practitioners in underserved areas, ultimately enhancing access to healthcare services for all residents of New Brunswick.

Contact Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick (PRA-NB):  

Please carefully read the information available on our website. If the information does not address your inquiry, please send us an email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please note that selection for PRA-NB is very competitive and that meeting eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection into the program. The PRA-NB makes the final decision to accept an applicant into the program based on the selection process and the program’s assessment capacity. 

To move forward to the selection process for the PRA-NB Program, the candidate must satisfy the following pre-screening requirements:   

Medical Education 

Have a medical degree from a medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools and which is acceptable in Canada 

Eligibility to Work 

Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or be legally entitled to live and work in New Brunswick  

Language Proficiency 

Meet English or French language proficiency requirements as set out in the Language Proficiency Policy 

Training and Practice Experience 

Have successfully completed a combination of training and practice experience relevant to Family Medicine, as follows: 

• Have successfully completed (2) two years of postgraduate training (or internship program) resulting in certification, recognition and practice in Family Medicine or General Practice and (1) one year of independent unsupervised licensed practice; 

or  

• Have successfully completed (1) one year of postgraduate training (or internship program) resulting in certification, recognition and practice in Family Medicine or General Practice and (2) two years of independent unsupervised licensed practice 

Core Rotations

Have successfully completed 7 core rotations during post-graduate training (or internship program) in the following fields:  

• A minimum of 8 weeks in family medicine or general practice, and 
• A minimum of 4 weeks in each of:  surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and psychiatry. 

Currency of Practice 

Be current in clinical practice for at least 450 hours within 3 years preceding candidate application 

Proof of Good Character and Standing 

Provide evidence of good character and evidence of fitness to practise, including professional and ethical behavior, which may include: 

• certificates of professional conduct from each jurisdiction in which the candidate held a licence; 

• letters of reference;  
• a criminal record check meeting the requirements set out in the Criminal Record Check Policy; and  
• other information as requested by the College, 

Examinations 

Have successfully completed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part 1(MCCQE1). Preference will be given to candidates who have also successfully completed the National Assessment Collaboration Examination. 

PRA Attempts 

Have no more than one (1) previous unsuccessful attempt in a Canadian PRA program within a five-year period.  

A PRA attempt is defined as participation in an over-time assessment period. Please note that other PRA Programs in Canada include a point-in-time assessment. Point-in-time assessments alone are not considered PRA attempts for the purposes of this policy. 

Contact Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick (PRA-NB):  

Please carefully read the information available on our website. If the information does not address your inquiry, please send us an email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bridging the gap between internationally trained physicians and the healthcare needs of New Brunswick communities while ensuring the highest standards of patient care and safety.

Welcome to the Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick Program.

The Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick program (PRA-NB) provides an alternate route to licensure for internationally trained physicians (ITPs) in family medicine offered through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick with the support of the Government of New Brunswick and the collaboration of multiple provincial and national partners.

PRA-NB allows eligible physicians who have completed their medical training and practiced independently abroad to participate in a clinical field assessment over a period of 12 weeks, which evaluates if they have the knowledge, skills and suitability to provide safe care for patients in the province. The program is offered in both English and French, allowing candidates to take part in the assessment in one of the official languages of the province.

PRA-NB is part of the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) PRA group, joining eight other participating provinces. Provincial PRA programs and the MCC collaborate on the NAC's pan-Canadian framework to develop and maintain common standards and materials for delivering and administering practice-readiness assessments. This pan-Canadian collaboration ensures internationally trained physicians experience fair and comparable assessments across Canada.

Contact Practice Ready Assessment New Brunswick (PRA-NB):  

Please carefully read the information available on our website. If the information does not address your inquiry, please send us an email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.