NAC examination
The National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) assesses the readiness of an international medical graduate (IMG) for entrance into a Canadian residency program. It is a national, standardized examination that tests the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for entrance into postgraduate training in Canada.
Comprising a series of clinical stations and an additional written therapeutic component, the NAC OSCE is a “hands-on” examination that simulates typical clinical scenarios. The examination may include problems in medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, preventive medicine and community health, psychiatry and surgery. Candidates are assessed for language usage and proficiency as well as basic knowledge of therapeutic management of common complaints.
The NAC OSCE is intended to help rank IMGs who apply to individual Canadian medical school graduate programs. Passing this examination does not guarantee a training position in Canada, but rather provides feedback to the program directors who are selecting trainees on the strengths and weaknesses of the individuals who take this examination. All NAC OSCE candidates are, at a minimum, required to have passed the Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) before being eligible to take the NAC OSCE. Some jurisdictions may add region-specific criteria. For the most up-to-date requirements, please contact your province’s IMG assessment program for its specific eligibility requirements (including any prerequisites), fees and application deadlines.
The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) is accepting NAC OSCE results as part of match application packages. Please contact CaRMS for further information on its match application requirements.
The NAC OSCE is not a prerequisite to obtain the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. However, depending on the provincial IMG assessment program, a pass result on the NAC OSCE may be a prerequisite for eligibility for residency training programs.
It is expected that the NAC OSCE will replace all current provincial OSCE examinations in those provinces with participating IMG assessment programs.
To obtain further information about the examination, choose from the following links:
- Examination station descriptions: obtain information on typical OSCE stations.
- Examination reference materials and resources: learn what to expect in an NAC OSCE by downloading examination information and watching informational videos.
- Examination session dates: view dates and locations for upcoming NAC OSCE sessions.
- Examination fees: obtain information on examination costs.
- Examination scoring: learn how the NAC OSCE is scored
- Examination results: understand how IMGs are notified of examination results and how candidates can apply to have their examination rescored.
- Examination special needs: learn how to make a request for special accommodations due to a disability or other special need.
