Performance

Appendix A: Overview of Licensing,
Credentialing, Privileging and Performance
Management Processes
This Appendix sets out how a physician is licensed in BC, including the approach taken with International Medical Graduates (IMGs), how credentialing works and
how physicians receive privileges. The organizational diagrams have been compiled with the assistance of staff working in the constituent organizations and
checked for factual accuracy by the Ministry and senior clinicians. Lastly, the Appendix details the performance management tools and techniques that we
uncovered through this review.
Licensing
The College is the licensing and regulatory body governing physicians in BC. The College’s Registration Committee is responsible for granting registration to a
physician as a member of the College, including initial registration, annual renewal and reinstatement of registration.
Initial registration
In order to be granted a full, unrestricted license (referred to as a ‘registrant’) in BC, a physician must have earned a medical degree at an accredited institution,
passed the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examinations, become a Licentiate of the MCC and passed (or been exempted from) the exams of either the
College of Family Physicians of Canada or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
While there are eighteen classes of registration 50 in BC, all applicants go through the same five-step process. The process, as described in the College’s
Registration Manual 51 , includes:
Step 1 – Initial contact with the applicant and eligibility review. Prospective applicants must request an application form from the College. All requests are
screened to determine whether there is a reasonable chance that the prospective applicant may be eligible for one of the eighteen classes of registration. If it is
determined that they would likely be eligible, application forms are provided.
50 The 18 classes as noted in the College by-laws are: full – general/family; full – specialty; special; osteopathic; provisional; academic; administrative; conditional – practice limitations;
conditional – practice setting; conditional – disciplined; educational – medical student; educational – postgraduate; educational – clinical trainee; visitor; emergency; restricted; retired –
life; retired – associate.
51 The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, 2012. Registration Procedures Manual, Registration Department, February 2012. Received electronically by the
College.
Ministry of Health 64
Provincial Review of Physician Licensing, Credentialing, Privileging & Performance Management
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