
Deadlines, dates & locations


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Update on 2025 Examinations
Who:
All candidates will sit the 2025 written and applied exam in person at one of our regional examination centres.
When:
Spring specialty examination schedule for 2025
Fall specialty examination schedule for 2025
Where:
Regional written exam centres in Canada
How:
A computer-based platform
For further details, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
Assessment deadlines
Deadline to apply for training and/or practice assessment |
| Candidates will be required to apply via the newly launched Credentials/e-booking system. |
Deadline to apply for continued training assessment (after Surgical Foundations and before final surgical specialty exam)* *For surgical specialties only |
| Candidates will be required to apply for exam eligibility via the Credentials/e-booking system for Surgical Foundations first followed by the surgical primary specialty. |
Competence Committees |
| Competence Committees will be required to convene to determine the exam readiness of the candidates. |
Confirmation Completion of Training (CCTs) are sent to PGME |
| The Credentials Unit sends a spreadsheet(s) with a list of names for PGME to confer exam readiness. |
Confirmation Completion of Training (CCTs) to be returned to Credentials Unit |
| The Credentials Unit is to receive signed spreadsheet(s) from PGME to be able to issue exam eligibility rulings. |
Exam Eligibility Rulings | Rulings are processed and sent in batches as soon as CCTs are returned to the Credentials Unit. | Credentials/booking system will issue exam eligibility rulings to candidates. |
Exam registration |
| Candidates will be required to register and pay for the examination using the e-booking system. |
Confirmation of Certification (CCs) are sent to PGME |
| The Credentials Unit sends a spreadsheet(s) with a list of names for PGME to confirm end-of-training dates to confer certification. |
Confirmation of Certification (CCs) to be returned to the Credentials Unit |
| The Credentials Unit is to receive signed spreadsheet(s) from PGME to be able to inform Member Services to issue certification. |
Exam deadlines
Deadline to register for exams |
The centre you choose for the written examination will be the same centre for the applied examination. Please note that changes to your exam centre locations will be not be allowed once exam registration closes. |
Deadline to request exam accommodation |
|
Deadline to withdraw from exams | The Royal College has re-instated the pre-Covid standard policy on withdrawals from examinations: Candidates who withdraw from the examination, or do not appear at the examination, will have been considered to have used one year of eligibility, unless granted a deferral pursuant to the deferral of examination eligibility policy. Notification of withdrawal must be received by the Royal College at least twenty (20) business days before the first component of the examination. Upon receipt, 50% of the examination fees will be refunded. Notification of withdrawal less than twenty (20) business days before the examination will result in no refund of the fees. |
Spring exam dates | |
Fall exam dates | |
Deadline to request a formal review | 30 days after the date on the Summary of Performance. |
Deadline to request a renewal of eligibility | Spring exams: October 20th of the year before the exam |
Dates for Posting Exam Results | Dates are different for each specialty. See list here. |
Exam dates
Exam dates and times are subject to change. Confirmation of written appointment will be sent via email one month before the 2024 exams. Confirmation of applied appointment will be sent via email approximately two to four weeks before the 2024 exams.
Note: Due to the complexities of scheduling candidates, your scheduled date and time to attend the exam cannot be changed. All eligible candidates will be scheduled for each exam component according to the application deadline and the Royal College’s capacity. No candidate shall be granted a request to select a specific date or date range and/or time of their exam(s) unless specific conditions have been met (see policy).
Spring 2025 Examinations Dates
(Updated February 29, 2024)
Registration deadline
The deadline for registration for Spring 2025 examinations is November 4, 2024
When: Spring examinations 2025
Please note:
The Royal College is in the process of transitioning to an in-person centralized model for its applied exam, staring with the spring 2025 session. The format and location of your exam is listed in the table below under the applied component.
Exams listed in Toronto, Ontario will take place at:
Touchstone Institute
145 Wellington St. W, Toronto, Ontario M5J 1H8
Exams listed in Ottawa, Ontario will take place at:
Royal College headquarters
774 Echo Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5N8
The remaining disciplines will sit their applied exam at one of the designated regional exam centres.
Please refer to your candidate ruling letter for registration instructions.
For more information on the transition to in-person applied exams please see the
Tip: Please book off all the scheduled dates posted for your specialty exam as you must be available to write on all of the published dates (e.g. both April 7 and April 8).
Spring 2025 | ||
SPECIALTY | COMPONENT | EXAM DATE(S) |
---|---|---|
Anesthesiology | Written | Thursday, September 26, 2024 Friday, September 27, 2024 |
Applied (In-person) | Tuesday, May 6 to Wednesday, May 7, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Cardiac Surgery | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | |
Cardiology Adult | Written | Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Tuesday, May 27 to Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Cardiology Pediatric | Written | Tuesday, February 25, 2025 Wednesday, February 26, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Thursday, June 5, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario | |
Dermatology | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Monday, April 28, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Diagnostic & Clinical Pathology (formerly General Pathology) | Written | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | |
Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology (formerly Anatomical Pathology) | Written | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
Applied (Virutal) | Thursday, November 6, 2025 | |
Diagnostic Radiology | Written | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Monday, May 26, 2025 | |
Emergency Medicine | Written | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Wednesday, June 4, 2025 | |
General Internal Medicine | Written | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
General Surgery | Written | Thursday, September 12, 2024 Friday, September 13, 2024 |
Applied (Virtual) | Thursday, May 1, 2025 | |
Geriatric Medicine | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Hematological Pathology | Written** | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Applied* (In-person) | Thursday, May 29, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario | |
Internal Medicine | Written | Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Wednesday, March 12, 2025 |
Applied - English (Virtual)
Applied - French (Virtual) | Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 13, 2025
Tuesday, June 10 to Thursday, June 12, 2025 | |
Medical Genetics & Genomics | Written | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Thursday, May 8, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Medical Microbiology | Written | Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Wednesday, March 12, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Friday, May 23, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario | |
Neurology | Written | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Friday, June 20, 2025 | |
Neuropathology | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Thursday, March 20, 2025 | |
Neurosurgery | Written | Tuesday, September 24, 2024 Wednesday, September 25, 2024 |
Applied (In-person) | Tuesday, April 15, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Nuclear Medicine | Written | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 Wednesday, October 2, 2024 |
Applied (In-person) | Thursday, May 22, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario | |
Obstetrics & Gynecology | Written | Thursday, September 19, 2024 Friday, September 20, 2024 |
Applied (Virtual) | Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | |
Ophthalmology | Written | Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Wednesday, March 12, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Friday, June 6, 2025 | |
Orthopedic Surgery | Written | Tuesday, September 24, 2024 Wednesday, September 25, 2024 |
Applied (In-person) | Thursday, April 24, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Pediatrics | Written | Tuesday, October 1, 2024 Wednesday, October 2, 2024 |
Applied (Virtual) | Wednesday, June 18 to Thursday, June 19, 2025 | |
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Friday, October 24, 2025 | |
Plastic Surgery | Written | Thursday, September 26, 2024 Friday, September 27, 2024 |
Applied (In-person) | Friday, April 25, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Psychiatry | Written | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Wednesday, May 14 to Friday, May 16, 2025 | |
Public Health & Preventive Medicine | Written | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Friday, May 9, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Radiation Oncology | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Thursday, October 23, 2025 | |
Respirology Adult | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied (Virtual) | Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | |
Rheumatology Adult | Written | Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Friday, May 30, 2025 Toronto, Ontario | |
Vascular Surgery* | Written | Tuesday, February 25, 2025 |
Applied (In-person) | Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario | |
*Last traditional cohort. Competence by Design (CBD) cohort will sit their exam in Fall 2025. **Last traditional cohort and first CBD cohort will sit their exam. |
Fall 2025 Examinations Dates
(Updated: January 22, 2024)
Reminder
Exam dates and times are subject to change. Confirmation of written appointment will be sent via email one month before the 2025 exams. Confirmation of applied appointment will be sent via email approximately two to four weeks before the 2025 exams.
Note: Due to the complexities of scheduling candidates, your scheduled date and time to attend the exam cannot be changed. All eligible candidates will be scheduled for each exam component according to the application deadline and the Royal College’s capacity. No candidate shall be granted a request to select a specific date or date range and/or time of their exam(s) unless specific conditions have been met (see policy).
Registration deadline
The deadline for registration for Fall 2025 examinations is April 15, 2025.
When: Fall examinations 2025
Please note:
Please book off all the scheduled dates posted for your specialty exam as you must be available to write on all of the published dates (e.g. both September 12 and September 13).
Fall 2025 | ||
SPECIALTY | COMPONENT | EXAM DATE(S) |
---|---|---|
Adolescent Medicine | Written | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Wednesday, September 17, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Anesthesiology | Written | Thursday, September 25, 2025 Friday, September 26, 2025 |
Applied | Spring 2026 | |
Cardiac Surgery | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied | Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | |
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Written | Wednesday, August 27, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Clinical Immunology & Allergy | Written | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 |
Applied | Thursday, November 20, 2025 | |
Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology | Written | Tuesday, August 26, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Colorectal Surgery | Written | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Critical Care Medicine | Written | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Developmental Pediatrics* | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Diagnostic & Clinical Pathology (formerly General Pathology) | Written | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
Applied | Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | |
Diagnostic & Molecular Pathology (formerly Anatomical Pathology) | Written | Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Wednesday, March 26, 2025 |
Applied | Thursday, November 6, 2025 | |
Endocrinology & Metabolism | Written | Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Forensic Pathology | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Forensic Psychiatry | Written | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Gastroenterology | Written | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |
Applied | Monday, November 17, 2025 | |
General Surgical Oncology* | Written | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
General Surgery | Written | Thursday, September 25, 2025 Friday, September 26, 2025 |
Applied | Spring 2026 | |
Geriatric Psychiatry | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Gynecologic Oncology | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Gynecologic Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Hematological Pathology* | Written | Tuesday, March 4, 2025 Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
Applied | Friday, November 7, 2025 | |
Hematology | Written | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |
Applied | Thursday, November 13, 2025 | |
Infectious Diseases | Written | Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Wednesday, August 27, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Interventional Radiology | Written | Wednesday, September 17, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Maternal-Fetal Medicine | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Medical Biochemistry | Written | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Medical Oncology | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine | Written | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Wednesday, September 17, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Nephrology | Written | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Neuroradiology | Written | Wednesday, September 17, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Neurosurgery | Written | Thursday, September 25, 2025 Friday, September 26, 2025 |
Applied* | Spring 2027 | |
Nuclear Medicine | Written | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Wednesday, September 17, 2025 |
Applied | Spring 2026 | |
Obstetrics & Gynecology | Written | Thursday, September 25, 2025 Friday, September 26, 2025 |
Applied | Spring 2026 | |
Occupational Medicine | Written | Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Wednesday, August 27, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Orthopedic Surgery | Written | Thursday, September 25, 2025 Friday, September 26, 2025 |
Applied | Spring 2026 | |
Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery | Written | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |
Applied | Friday, November 14, 2025 | |
Pain Medicine* | Written | Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Wednesday, August 27, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Palliative Medicine* | Written | Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Wednesday, August 27, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Pediatric Emergency Medicine* | Written | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Pediatric Radiology | Written | Thursday, September 4, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Pediatric Surgery | Written | Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |
Applied | Friday, November 21, 2025 | |
Pediatrics | Written | Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Wednesday, September 17, 2025 |
Applied | Spring 2026 | |
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied | Friday, October 24, 2025 | |
Plastic Surgery | Written | Thursday, September 25, 2025 Friday, September 26, 2025 |
Applied | Spring 2026 | |
Radiation Oncology | Written | Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Wednesday, March 19, 2025 |
Applied | Thursday, October 23, 2025 | |
Respirology Pediatric | Written | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 |
Applied | Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | |
Rheumatology Pediatric | Written | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Surgical Foundations | Written | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 |
Applied | N/A | |
Thoracic Surgery | Written | Tuesday, September 9, 2025 |
Applied | Wednesday, October 22, 2025 | |
Urology | Written | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 Wednesday, August 20, 2025 |
Applied | Monday, November 3, 2025 | |
Vascular Surgery* | Written | Tuesday, August 19, 2025 |
Applied | Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | |
*First CBD cohort. |
Where
All candidates will sit the 2025 written and applied exam in person at one of our regional examination centres in Canada:
- Vancouver
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Saskatoon
- Winnipeg
- London
- Thunder Bay
- Sudbury
- Hamilton
- Toronto
- Kingston
- Ottawa
- Montreal
- Sherbrooke
- Quebec City
- Halifax
- St. John’s
How
- All candidates will sit the 2025 written and applied exam in person at one of our regional examination centres.
- Written exams, both multiple-choice and short-answer formats, will be on a computer-based platform.
- Applied/oral exams will be delivered virtually as well. There will be no paper-based exams.
- Using a Royal College-issued laptop, candidates will log into an online exam platform at their designated exam centre to take their exams. Onsite invigilators will be on hand at exam centres to provide support for technological issues (hardware and software).
- For the applied component, the candidate and examiners will interact on a virtual platform in 2025; they will not be in-person and face-to-face. More details on the format of each specialty’s applied exam are available in the Information by Discipline section.
Note: The 2026 exam calendars will be posted at a later date.
Questions?
Contact credentials@royalcollege.ca
candidates@royalcollege.ca; Telephone: toll-free 1-800-668-3740 ext. 278 or 419 or 613-730-6278; Fax: 613-730-8261
We recognize exams are a stressful experience and that we are in unprecedented times. The Royal College is committed to communicating with you in a respectful, professional and civil manner. Similarly, we ask the same courtesy is provided to our employees. Thank you!