Historic agreement signed by Quebec and Ontario to enhance mobility of pharmacists

At a special ceremony in Montreal on May 7, 2003, the Ontario College of Pharmacists and L’Ordre des pharmaciens du Quebec signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will enhance pharmacist mobility between our provinces.

The signing of this agreement allows pharmacists licensed in Ontario or Quebec, who graduated from a Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) accredited program, to move more easily between the two jurisdictions. However, due to the way Quebec’s legislation is framed, the Ordre can only accept pharmacists under the terms of the MOU who graduated from a CCAPP-accredited program with a minimum of 125 credits and who graduated five or fewer years ago. (This agreement also facilitates recognition for Quebec students currently enrolled in the bachelor of pharmacy program at the University of Toronto as their educational credentials will be recognized by the Ordre under this agreement.)

Structured Practical Training
The primary intent of this agreement is for both regulators to mutually recognize each other’s structured practical training. The structured practical training requirement in Quebec is currently 15 weeks versus 12 weeks in Ontario. Therefore, Ontario pharmacists moving to Quebec will be required to complete an additional three weeks of structured practical training while those coming to Ontario will not be required to complete any additional in-service training.

Entry-to-Practice Requirements
Each province maintains its requirements for entry-to-practice as defined in the chart below.
In addition, Quebec will be offering its courses on legislation and the Quebec health care system on the Internet — so Ontario candidates will be able to complete these courses prior to relocating to Quebec. As these courses were only previously offered once-per-year at the University of Montreal and Laval University, this accommodation will expedite licensure for Quebec-bound candidates.

We are optimistic that the scope of this agreement will be expanded in the future as legislation changes are made, so that an even greater number of pharmacists will be able to move to Quebec or Ontario.

With this agreement, Ontario now enjoys mobility enhancing agreements with all provinces — as it is also a signatory to the Mutual Recognition Agreement for Pharmacy in Canada, 2000 (MRA). The MRA outlines the conditions under which a pharmacist, who is licensed or registered in one Canadian jurisdiction, will have his/ her qualifications recognized by another Canadian jurisdiction.
If you any questions about moving to another province, please contact the provincial regulatory authority in the jurisdiction to which you wish to move.

Summary of Licensure Requirements for Ontario and Quebec -Licensed Pharmacists, May 2003

Ontario Requirements for Licensure

• Have a valid licence with L'Ordre des Pharmaciens du Quebec
• Have obtained a bachelor degree from a CCAPP-accredited pharmacy program
• 12-Week Structured Practical Training internship program
• Proof of reasonable fluency in English/French
• Appropriate documentation (proof of identity, sworn affidavit, letter of good standing, etc.)
• Proof of having passed the PEBC Qualifying Examination
• Proof of having passed the Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence Examination

• Have a valid licence with the Ontario College of Pharmacists
• Have a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree provided it was obtained less than five years prior to making application for a permit [licence] in Quebec as a pharmacist provided that the program for which the degree was issued had at least 125 credits and is accredited by the CCAPP (Equivalent Degree)
• 15-Week Structured Practical Training internship program. The Ordre will recognize and give a 12-week credit to candidates who complete the OCP's Structured Practical Training internship program
• Submit proof of fluency in French according to the requirements of the Charte de la langue francaise
• Appropriate documentation (proof of identity, sworn affidavit, letter of good standing, etc.)
• Successfully complete a three-credit course on legislation and deontology at University of Montreal or Laval University or any equivalent course acknowledged by the Ordre
• Successfully complete a two-credit course on the Quebec Health System at University of Montreal or Laval University or any equivalent course acknowledged by the Ordre
• Successfully complete a three-hour program on emergency contraception prescribing

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