Source Verification
Source verification of the medical degree diploma must be completed or in progress for eligibility to the MCC Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I). The source verification process and eligibility for the MCCQE Part I as it relates to source verification differ according to your applicant status:
Canadian medical school graduates – Graduation is verified directly with the Canadian faculties of medicine through certified post-convocation lists provided to the MCC.
Canadian medical students – Candidates are accepted to the Qualifying Examination Part I based on final-year student lists provided by the Canadian faculties of medicine. After completion of all degree requirements, graduation is verified directly with the Canadian faculties of medicine through certified post-convocation lists provided to the MCC.
U.S. medical school graduates – The medical diploma is sent directly to the American medical school for verification.
U.S. medical students – Candidates are accepted to the MCC Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I) based on the Dean’s Attestation Form which confirms completion of all degree requirements by the required date and which must accompany the MCCQE Part I application. The diploma, a certified copy of which must be submitted to the MCC as soon as the diploma is issued, is sent to the American medical school for verification upon receipt by the MCC.
International medical students (and students at a U.S. school of osteopathic medicine) – Candidates are accepted to the Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I) based on the Dean’s Attestation Form which confirms completion of all degree requirements by the required date and which must be submitted with the MCCQE Part I application. The diploma, a certified copy of which must be submitted to the MCC/PCRC as soon as the diploma issued, is sent for source verification upon receipt by MCC/PCRC. (See “International medical graduates (and U.S. osteopaths)” below for more information.)
International medical graduates (and U.S. osteopaths) – If you previously applied for the MCC Evaluating Examination as a student, your diploma* must be reviewed and approved by MCC/PCRC and be deemed “ready for source verification” in order to be accepted to the Qualifying Examination Part I.
* In the case of international medical graduates whose final medical diploma is not yet available for administrative reasons, alternate to medical degree document(s) that confirm completion of all degree requirements and that are acceptable to the MCC Executive Director may be sent for source verification in lieu of the final diploma.
Since 9 July 2007, the Physician Credentials Registry of Canada (PCRC), a division of the Medical Council of Canada, is the credentials source verification service responsible for obtaining primary source verification of the validity of credentials from the body that issued the documents. (Those who first applied for the MCCEE before 9 July 2007 must be sent for source verification through the MCC).
The MCC uses the services of the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) International Credentials Services (EICS) to verify an international medical graduate’s (and a U.S. osteopath’s) diploma with the appropriate officials of the medical school that issued the diploma. To this end, the MCC shall transmit to ECFMG all required personal information, i.e., that which relates to a natural person and permits the identification of that person, as well as MCC candidate information, including, without limitation, the following:
MCC Candidate Code and/or PCRC Identification Number, name, name change document if applicable, date of birth, gender, country of birth, university of graduation, date of graduation, medical degree diploma issue date, diploma or other related document(s), translation if applicable, and photograph.
Note: ECFMG/EICS, a company incorporated in the United States, is subject to the USA Patriot Act. Under the terms of the USA Patriot Act, ECFMG/EICS could be required to provide access to MCC candidate information and documentation if requested by any of the governmental authorities granted rights under the USA Patriot Act. Furthermore, under the USA Patriot Act, ECFMG/EICS would be prohibited from disclosing that such access had been provided.
Note: Source verification of the medical degree diploma must be completed for eligibility to the MCC Qualifying Examination Part II.
If a candidate’s university should fail to verify his or her credentials, the candidate would be required to provide new and credible evidence that the credentials submitted are authentic. Until the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the MCC, the candidate would not be eligible to participate in any MCC examinations.
If a candidate wishes to have other credential documents verified (e.g., postgraduate training, specialty certificates, certificates of registration, professional licenses, etc.) in order to facilitate acceptance to other programs, licensure, etc., he or she may do so by submitting a source verification request to PCRC (www.pcrc.org).
