BC Licensure & CCFP Exam
The following is some background information regarding CCFP Exam and BC Licensure.
CCFP Requirements
There are two requirements to obtain CCFP status:
1. Successful completion of all components of the two–year residency
2. Passing the CCFP exam
Licensing Requirements
As of July 01, 2010 the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC) requirements for full licensure are now aligned with the rest of Canada. One of the requirements for full licensure as a family phydssician is having CCFP certification.
If a resident completes the residency, but is unsuccessful on the CCFP exam they can still be eligible for provisional licensure in British Columbia as described on the CPSBC website. (https://www.cpsbc.ca/node/150 ).
UBC Exam Results
The exam is marked on a bell curve so that candidates scoring more than two standard deviations below the mean will fail the exam. This curve is made up of the residency-eligible candidates at a given sitting.
Exam Preparation
The College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) provides all programs across Canada with exam preparation materials. How and when the materials are delivered from the UBC Family Medicine Program to residents is dependant on the individual UBC site. The UBC Site Faculty for Evaluation meet regularly to discuss exam preparation. Sites may chose to deliver CCFP exam preparation sessions after the MCCQE2 exam so as not to confuse the SOO and OSCE exam techniques.
Focus group findings have shown that residents who join study groups are more likely to be successful on the exam. Residents are encouraged to self organize into study groups.
Failure in CCFP Exam
Successful completion of the residency program (and failing the CCFP exam) will allow residents to apply for a provisional license. Graduates will be allowed to practice in an under-serviced area of BC with a physician supervisor. Health Match BC has a listing of communities eligible for this class of license. This route allows graduates to work until they are successful in the exam.
