Who is included in our directory?
Individuals with active membership or affiliation in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada are listed in our directory. These individuals pay their annual fees and follow the requirements of the Royal College Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program.
Inclusion in our directory is voluntary. It is possible to be a member or affiliate in good standing but choose not to be included in our directory.
These are specialist physicians or surgeons who successfully completed their Royal College certification examinations and now commit to maintain the highest standards and quality of health care. They do this through lifelong learning and skills development, supported via their participation in our MOC Program.
The date in the “Category” column is the earliest date from which the individual has held continuous Fellowship in the Royal College. Active Fellows may use the Fellowship designation FRCPC or FRCSC.
These are health care professionals who are not Fellows of the Royal College but who take part in our Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. These individuals are also sometimes referred to as “MOC Program participants.”
These are physicians or surgeons who have been granted the Royal College’s Area of Focused Competence (AFC) credential. For example, an orthopedic surgeon may enhance their skillset by completing a diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine. To keep the status Diplomate of the Royal College, they must pay an annual fee and take part in our MOC Program. Diplomates in good standing may use the designation DRCPSC.
These are specialists-in-training (e.g., residents) who are enrolled in a Canadian postgraduate (i.e., post-MD) specialty medicine or surgery training program. These programs are accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to meet national standards of training. Resident Affiliates are not yet certified for independent practice. They may take part in our MOC Program, but it is not mandatory.
These are physicians or surgeons who have been involved in the creation of a new subspecialty. For example, they may have helped create and develop the standards, training requirements, and examinations for a new or transitioning subspecialty. As a result, they are unable to gain eligibility to the certification examinations of that subspecialty. Recognition as a Founder involves a special application process.
These internationally-trained physicians have successfully completed a Royal College subspecialty examination through the Subspecialty Examination Affiliate Program (SEAP). This means they were given special approval to sit a subspecialty examination without first completing a primary specialty examination. As a result, Subspecialist Affiliates are not certified by the Royal College or eligible for Fellowship, but they do take part in our MOC Program to maintain their affiliate status.
Who is not included?
Royal College Fellows, Maintenance of Certification Program Participants and affiliates who cease to pay their annual fees and/or have not complied with the requirements of the Maintenance of Certification Program do not appear on the directory.
A Fellow who is not active may no longer use the Fellowship designation (FRCPC/FRCSC) and will be removed from the directory. Similarly, diplomates who are not in good standing may not use the designation DRCPSC, and will also be removed from the directory.