COVID-19 UPDATE:
Electives are available at Queen’s University provided you have the approval of the home and receiving schools' Program Directors. Access to the hospital (e.g., quarantine periods), are determined by the hospital and can change at any time. An attestation as to your completed COVID-19 vaccination status (two shots of an approved vaccine with the second shot being at least 14 days prior to the start of your elective) must be provided in your letter of good standing by your home Program Director. If you are not completely vaccinated in accordance with Health Canada’s approved vaccinations or do not have a medical exemption, your elective request will be denied. A medical exemption will have to be reviewed on a case by case basis and your elective request may be denied
The Postgraduate Medical Education Office at Queen's University welcomes medical trainees who require a short-term training experience to complete a required component of their home program.
For trainee’s within Canada, elective training would not normally be longer than 6 months in duration.
For International Trainees (including US), elective training cannot exceed 6 months in accordance with the rules and regulations of the CPSO.
Electives within Canada
Queen's residents interested in completing electives within Canada are encouraged to contact the host institution and follow their posted process for applying for an elective opportunity.
You must complete an off-campus safety planning record.
Liability Insurance and Licensure
- Residents are responsible for ensuring they have appropriate licensure in the Province where they are completing the elective. Your CPSO license is only applicable in Ontario.
- CMPA coverage is applicable within Canada. CMPA insists that residents contact them directly to notify them of any changes. Residents must notify the CMPA if they plan to complete an elective outside of Ontario. The date and exact location must be provided to CMPA.
Electives outside of Canada
The PGME Office must be informed if a trainee is planning a US or International Elective. The Program Director should email pgme@queensu.ca confirming their approval, the dates of the elective and location at least six months in advance.
If this is a clinical placement, a Queen’s University Academic Placement Agreement must be put into place. For more information visit the Office of the Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic).
If the placement is non-clinical, the PGME Office will review the terms and conditions with University Counsel to determine what documentation will be required for the elective.
Pre-Departure Information
- You must complete an off-campus safety planning record. If there are significant travel advisories you may not be able to complete your elective.
- You are encouraged to visit https://healthsci.queensu.ca/opdes/cpd/educational-programs-opportunities/healthcare-ethics-culture-and-safety-international-setting for information on pre-departure training.
Liability and Licensure
- Residents are responsible for obtaining the appropriate medical licensure and malpractice coverage for the location where they will be completing the elective. NOTE: your CMPA coverage does not extend outside of Ontario. If you do not have the appropriate coverage, you MUST not practice clinically.
- Residents are responsible for communicating with the institution or location where the elective will occur to find out what medical liability coverage is acceptable. If the resident is not automatically covered for medical liability by the accepting institution, the resident is responsible for obtaining, and paying for, the coverage as recommended by the host institution.
For their own protection, residents are strongly encouraged to communicate with the accepting institution in writing or by email. Residents should maintain this information for their records should there be a dispute regarding the lack of coverage or inappropriate coverage. Any disputes or legal implications will be the responsibility of the resident to resolve with the accepting institution. Residents will be financially responsible for any legal fees incurred.
Required Documents
A residency trainee enrolled in one of the other five Ontario medial schools who wishes to take an elective under the supervision of a Queen’s University postgraduate program director/training program must submit the following documentation to the Queen’s University PGME Office.
The medical trainee should first contact the Queen’s University Program Director and formally request the elective of their choice. Once the elective has been approved, please have the Queen’s Program Director submit written permission to the Associate Dean, PGME acknowledging:
- approval of the elective
- inclusive dates of the elective
- supervisor's name and location of elective
Written permission is required from the current program director at the applicant’s home university acknowledging:
- that the elective is being undertaken within the residency program at Queen's University;
- the exact start and end date of the elective;
- current status of the resident (year, program) and that they are in good standing (e.g. not on probation nor suspended)
- statement indicating elective is part of resident’s current training program;
- that funding for the elective will continue to flow from the home university program
- attestation that the resident is fully vaccinated by a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or by the World Health Organization; (we cannot accept personal health information as part of the application so do not submit your vaccine receipts)
Also required:
- Proof of resident's membership in Canadian Medical Protective Association (or equivalent malpractice insurance)
- Proof of a valid Ontario Certificate for Postgraduate Education or Independent License (Ontario license)
Please note that the following Elective Registration Form must be submitted to the Postgraduate Medical Education Office two months prior to the start of the elective. Final approval of the elective will be confirmed by the Postgraduate Medical Education Office, Queen's University.
Applications to Queen’s University postgraduate medical education for elective training must not exceed six months in duration.
Upon approval of your elective request by the Program Director, please complete this form. Final approval of the elective will be confirmed by the Postgraduate Medical Education Office, Queen's University.
Required Documents
A residency trainee enrolled in a Canadian medical school outside Ontario who wishes to take an elective under the supervision of a Queen’s University postgraduate program director/training program must submit the following documentation to the Queen’s University PGME Office:
The medical trainee should first contact the Queen’s University Program Director and formally request the elective of their choice. Once the elective has been approved, please have the Queen’s Program Director submit written permission to the Associate Dean, PGME acknowledging:
- approval of the elective
- inclusive dates of the elective
- supervisor's name and location of elective
Written permission is required from the current program director at the applicant’s home university acknowledging:
- that the elective is being undertaken within the residency program at Queen’s University;
- the exact start and end date of the elective;
- current status of the resident (year, program) and that they are in good standing (e.g., not on probation or suspended);
- statement indicating elective is part of resident’s current training program;
- that funding for the elective will continue to flow from the home university program;
- attestation that the resident is fully vaccinated by a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or by the World Health Organization; (we cannot accept personal health information as part of the application so do not submit your vaccine receipts)
Also required:
- Copy of Medical Degree
- Proof of resident's membership in Canadian Medical Protective Association (or equivalent malpractice insurance)
- Proof of a valid Ontario Certificate for Postgraduate Education or Independent License (Ontario license)
Eligibility for Licensure
In order to take up an elective at Queen’s University, candidates must be eligible for licensure by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), the body which regulates the practice of medicine in the province of Ontario.
It is the responsibility of the Resident to contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) for a license application package and to ensure that all the licensing requirements are met prior to the elective period. Contact with the College should be made at least 2 months prior to the elective.
Registration Process
Please note that the following Elective Registration Form must be submitted to the Postgraduate Medical Education Office 2 months prior to the start of the elective. Final approval of the elective will be confirmed by the Postgraduate Medical Education Office, Queen's University. If approved, a Letter of Appointment (LOA) will be issued. This letter must be signed by the medical trainee and returned to the PGME Office. A copy will be forwarded to the CPSO.
Applications to Queen’s University postgraduate medical education for elective training must not exceed 6 months in duration.
Required Documents
U.S. citizens who wish to take an elective under the supervision of a Queen’s University postgraduate program director/training program must be fully funded for the duration of the proposed elective by an acceptable sponsoring agency (for example, a governmental agency, university or hospital) and submit the following documentation to the Queen’s University PGME Office:
The medical trainee should first contact the Queen’s University Program Director and formally request the elective of their choice. Once the elective has been approved, please have the Queen’s Program Director submit written permission to the Associate Dean, PGME acknowledging:
- approval of the elective
- inclusive dates of the elective
- supervisor's name and location of elective
Written permission is required from the current program director at the applicant’s home university acknowledging:
- that the elective is being undertaken within the residency program at Queen’s University;
- the exact start and end date of the elective;
- current status of the resident (year, program) and that they are in good standing (e.g., not on probation or suspended);
- statement indicating elective is part of resident’s current training program;
- that funding for the elective will continue to flow from the home university program;
- attestation that the resident is fully vaccinated by a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada or by the World Health Organization; (we cannot accept personal health information as part of the application so do not submit your vaccine receipts)
Additional requirements
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae that includes the applicant’s date of birth, Social Insurance Number (SIN), citizenship status and e-mail address
- Copy of medical degree
- Evidence of full financial support from the funding institution/organization for the duration of the elective training
Eligibility for Licensure
In order to take up an elective at Queen’s University, candidates must be eligible for licensure by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), the body that regulates the practice of medicine in the province of Ontario.
It is the responsibility of the Resident to contact the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) for a license application package and to ensure that all the licensing requirements are met prior to the elective period. Contact with the College should be made at least 2 months prior to the elective.
The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)
After submitting the above documentation for your elective and applying to the CPSO, trainees must apply for coverage under the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). CMPA coverage is mandatory for all Queen’s University trainees and is required before beginning the elective.
Contact the CMPA at 1-800-267-6522 or http://www.cmpa-acpm.ca to apply for membership.
Work Permit
In addition to licensure by the CPSO, trainees who are not Canadian citizens/permanent residents must have a work permit that is valid for the duration of their elective residency. The Queen’s University PGME Office will provide the elective appointee with work permit application information and an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and Canada (IRCC) approved “Letter of Employment” that will enable the appointee to apply for the appropriate work permit.
NB: IRCC requires the “Letter of Employment” to confirm that the foreign national receiving is being remunerated at a rate commensurate with that of a Canadian performing the same duties in the same location of work. Elective residents must have funding for their elective rotation that meets the requirements of the scale of remuneration of the PARO-CAHO Agreement.
Registration Process
Upon approval of your elective request by a Queen’s Program Director, please complete the Elective Registration Form below. Applications to Queen’s University postgraduate medical education for elective training must not exceed six months in duration.
Final approval of the elective will be confirmed by the Postgraduate Medical Education Office, Queen's University. If approved, a Letter of Appointment (LOA) will be issued. This letter must be signed by the medical trainee and returned to the PGME Office. A copy will be forwarded to the CPSO.
International trainees seeking an elective under the supervision of a Queen’s University postgraduate program director/training program must review the information below:
It is important to note that all international electives should be arranged 6 months prior to the planned elective start date.
The applicant must first contact the program (Queen’s University Program Director) to formally request an elective
ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSURE
Medical Educational Licensure in Ontario
In order to secure an elective residency at Queen’s University, international applicants must be eligible for licensure by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), the body that regulates the practice of medicine in the province of Ontario.
Basic Eligibility Requirements for a certificate of registration authorizing postgraduate education for international residents seeking an elective:
- Be currently enrolled in a residency program outside Canada or the United States
- Have completed at least two years of residency training in the discipline in which they are seeking an elective (one year for Family Medicine electives)
- Be using English or French as the language of patient care in their current residency program
- Have an appointment to an elective at an Ontario medical school
Medical Degree
The applicant must hold an MD or equivalent basic degree in medicine from a medical school that was, at the time of graduation, listed in:
- The World Directory of Medical Schools published by the World Health Organization (WHO), accessible online at http://www.who.int/hrh/wdms/en
OR
- The International Medical Education Directory (IMED) published by the Foundation for the Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER), accessible online at https://www.faimer.org/resources/world-directory.html.
CPSO Processing Time
A minimum of four months is recommended by the CPSO for their processing time. The PGME Office highly recommends that a minimum of six-months be factored in, including the processing time of the University
The CPSO advises trainees with a confirmed international elective resident appointment to apply for CPSO licensure and begin arranging for all supporting documents at least four months in advance of the elective appointment start date. This processing time is necessary for the completion of the CPSO’s many detailed requirements for the licensure of international medical residents, including, for example:
- Official sealed transcript verifying undergraduate medical education and conferral of degree in medicine, which the CPSO must receive directly from the applicant’s medical school
- Source verification of the applicant’s medical degree by the Physician Credentials Registry of Canada (PCRC)
Evidence of good standing from the medical licensing authority in every jurisdiction where the applicant has practiced medicine or has taken postgraduate training.
Pre-Entry Assessment Program (PEAP)
Before beginning elective training, all international residents must successfully complete a two-week Pre-Entry Assessment Program (PEAP). The CPSO issues separate certificates of registration for the PEAP and the elective.
Maximum Duration of Elective Residency Training
It is a condition of CPSO licensure as an international elective trainee that the duration of the elective (including the mandatory two-week PEAP) cannot exceed 6 months. Please note that CPSO requirements are subject to change. It is recommended that applicants contact the CPSO directly to confirm details.
Funding
International trainees who wish to take an elective under the supervision of a Queen’s University postgraduate program director/training program must be fully funded for the duration of the proposed elective by an acceptable sponsoring agency. Foreign governments and foreign government funded agencies, for example, are considered acceptable sources of funding for non-Canadian residency trainees. Charitable foundations, private corporations or self-funding are not considered acceptable sources of funding. Elective residency trainees must have funding for their elective training in accordance with the scale of remuneration of the PARO-CAHO Agreement.
If the program has approved the elective, the following documents must be submitted:
- Written permission from the Queen’s University Program Director agreeing to the elective.Please complete the online application form no less than 6 months in advance.
- Written permission from current program director at the applicant’s home university, addressed to the Associate Dean Postgraduate Medical Education, noting the following: that you are a current resident; the primary language of patient care in your training program; the program of your training; the start date and anticipated end date of your residency training; their approval of your proposed elective dates; confirmation that you have submitted evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Letter from the international trainee’s sponsoring agency, confirming approval. If the international trainee’s sponsoring agency has not signed a postgraduate training agreement with Queen’s University, then the letter must confirm full financial support for the duration of the elective training and verify that this funding is in accordance with the scale of remuneration for Ontario residency trainees.
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae that includes the applicant’s date of birth, citizenship status and e-mail address
- Copy of medical degree (with English translation, where applicable); Proof of citizenship - passport demographic page; MCCEE results (if applicable)
The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA)
After submitting the above documentation for your elective and applying to the CPSO, trainees must apply for coverage under the Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA). CMPA coverage is mandatory for all Queen’s University trainees and is required before beginning the elective.
Contact the CMPA at 1-800-267-6522 or http://www.cmpa-acpm.ca to apply for membership.
Work Permit
In addition to licensure by the CPSO, trainees who are not Canadian citizens/permanent residents must have a work permit that is valid for the duration of their elective residency. The PGME Office , Queen’s University, will provide the elective appointee with work permit application information and an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approved “Letter of Employment” that will enable the appointee to apply for the appropriate work permit.
NB: IRCC requires the “Letter of Employment” to confirm that the foreign national receiving is being remunerated at a rate commensurate with that of a Canadian performing the same duties in the same location of work. Elective residents must have funding for their elective rotation that meets the requirements of the scale of remuneration of the PAIRO-CAHO Agreement.
Registration Process
Once the PGME Office receives the required documents a Letter of Appointment (LOA) will be issued to the resident. This letter must be signed by the resident and returned to the PGME Office. A copy will be forwarded to the CPSO.
Please note that the following Elective Registration Form must be submitted to the Postgraduate Medical Education Office 6 months before the scheduled elective.
Registration Fee
There is a $750 registration fee. This includes a $500 non-refundable deposit. Upon confirmation that the elective has been approved, please proceed with payment.
PROCEED WITH PAYMENT
(This link will take you to the payment page)
Upon approval of your elective request by the Program Director, please complete this form. Final approval of the elective will be confirmed by the Postgraduate Medical Education Office, Queen's University.