As of March 2021, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) in the United States is no longer accrediting Canadian medical schools. Canadian medical schools continue to be accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS).

This means that Canadian medical students graduating in 2026 and beyond will be considered International Medical Graduates (IMG’s) by the United States. Students and residents at Canadian Faculties of Medicine wishing to pursue residency or fellowship training in the U.S. will have to register and obtain certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This may involve fulfilling other requirements as laid out by the ECFMG. The AFMC recommends that Canadian medical students and residents contact the ECFMG for detailed information and allow for more time and planning to undertake these processes.

Furthermore, Canadians graduating from a non CACMS accredited medical school in 2026 and beyond will be considered an International Medical Graduate in the residency application process in Canada. The AFMC recommends that students and residents from non CACMS accredited medical schools contact the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) for additional information.