Special needs and scheduling conflicts
Any requests for special accommodations due to a disability or other special need must be submitted with the examination application, no later than the session’s main application deadline date. Similarly, any requests regarding potential scheduling conflicts must also be submitted at the time of application.
- Disability
- Other special needs
- Scheduling conflict (centre assignment and/or examinination administration)
Disability
The Medical Council of Canada’s special accommodations practices and procedures are aligned with its Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act AODA – Medical Council of Canada Customer Service Policy. These practices and procedures are consistent with the core principles of independence, dignity, integration and equal opportunity. The purpose of a special accommodation is to mitigate the effect of a disability (permanent or temporary) on the testing activity. Accommodations granted will be made on an individual basis and depend on the nature and extent of the disability, documentation provided and the requirements of the examination.
To maintain confidentiality, the request for accommodation and the related supporting documentation may be enclosed in a separate sealed envelope, marked “confidential” and addressed to the Operations Manager, Repository and Registration Centre, Medical Council of Canada. Supporting documentation should include the following:
- A signed letter from the candidate with specific details regarding his or her request with respect to the examination to which he or she is applying.
- If the candidate has previously been awarded accommodations by his or her university or other medical education program, the candidate should provide a copy of the accommodations as well as authorization for the MCC to contact this organization.
- A detailed report from a qualified professional appropriate for evaluating the disability describing the candidate’s condition and its severity, including:
- a specific diagnosis
- a description of the individual’s functional limitations due to the stated disabilities
- specific recommendations for testing accommodations, including an explanation of why the accommodations are needed
- Written confirmation from a qualified professional that the disability is still actively being managed if the report is more than two years old.
- Name, qualifications and current contact information (address, telephone number and email address) of each professional expert who provides documentation.
- Authorization of the candidate to contact any of the experts who have provided documentation on his or her behalf.
The request for accommodation and supporting documentation will be reviewed by an internal MCC committee. The committee reserves the right to request further documentation and/or assessment.
If special accommodations are approved, the MCC will ensure that appropriate reasonable measures are provided. The MCC reserves the right to designate the centre(s) where the accommodations can be offered, as all accommodations may not be available at any given examination centre.
This may require that a candidate accept assignment to a centre other
than his or her preferred centre
If granted, accommodations are only applicable to the specific examination session to which the candidate has applied. A candidate must submit a new request for accommodation with his or her application each time he or she applies for an MCC examination regardless of his or her pass/fail standing on previous examinations.
Furthermore, as the arrangements for some accommodations may have significant cost and other resource implications, a candidate who accepts the conditions of an accommodation is bound by those conditions. Once the arrangements are confirmed, cancellations are not permitted and would result in forfeiting of the examination fee.
Other special needs
The purpose of a special accommodation is to mitigate the effect of a special need (permanent or temporary) on the testing activity. Accommodations granted will be made on an individual basis and depend on the nature and extent of the need, documentation provided, and the requirements of the examination.
Any candidate requiring any form of special arrangement besides special accommodation for a disability (see above) on the day of the examination must submit a written request to the MCC at time of application, as well as supporting documentation if applicable. Such candidates include those who may be breastfeeding and requiring to express milk while at the examination centre, or who may have a medical condition requiring them to have access to food (e.g., gluten-free for those with celiac disease), medication, or a monitor (e.g., blood/glucose) during the examination. Last-minute requests are difficult to arrange and accommodations are not guaranteed.
Scheduling conflict (centre assignment and/or examination administration)
If you have a significant conflict with respect to your centre or administration (a.m. or p.m.) assignment that you wish to have taken into consideration in the assignment process, an official request must be submitted at the time of application, accompanied by documentation to support the request. If the request is approved, a C$90 administration fee will apply.
