• The practice-ready assessment program is designed to assess internationally trained medical specialists who are able to practice independently and do not need further residency training.
• PRA candidates must demonstrate skills acceptable to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM) and in line with standards for Canadian trained specialists (as determined by Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)).
• Candidates must meet requirements for registration as a provisional (specialty practice-limited) member with the CPSM before they can be approved to commence the PRA-Specialty Practice. 
• Enrollment in the PRA MB Program requires an approved sponsor and a job offer deemed to be of high clinical need in the province of Manitoba.
• Candidates who meet the required criteria and are accepted into the Program must fulfill a return-of-service with the sponsoring health Service Delivery Organization (SDO)/employer.

1. Register on the Health Careers Manitoba website. As part of your registration, you will be asked to provide:
   • An electronic copy of your resume/CV;
   • A copy of proof of your Canadian Residency/Immigration status (preference will be given to Manitoba Residents and those who have Canadian Permanent Resident status); and
   • To fully complete the Provincial Intake form
2. Review the available job postings on the Health Careers Manitoba website, and follow instructions to apply.
3. Where instructed, apply to the CPSM for registration for PRA. Candidates will be required to satisfy mandatory requirements including English language proficiency

Vacancies across Manitoba are posted on the Health Careers Manitoba website. 

Health Service Delivery Organizations work with the provincial medical specialty leads and Shared Health to identify positions of high clinical need in Manitoba. These are the only positions eligible for sponsorship through the PRA pathway.

Candidate files are reviewed regularly to assess applications based on the established screening criteria:

1. Candidate fulfillment of mandatory requirements
2. Physician vacancy / sponsor availability

A list of potential candidates who have met the requirements is maintained for each posted position. The list is provided to the International Medical Graduate (IMG) program and candidates are screened by a panel of representatives from the University of Manitoba (IMG Program), Specialty Department of Assessment, and sponsoring health service delivery organization.

Successful candidates will be provided direction by the University of Manitoba IMG Program on next steps to complete their PRA.

The assessment is coordinated by the University of Manitoba IMG Program and is conducted in the appropriate department at the University of Manitoba’s affiliated hospitals. The assessing Department arranges a screening evaluation (typically an interview, OSCE or written examination) prior to agreeing to undertake an assessment.

The duration of the assessment will vary by department, ranging from a minimum of three months, to a maximum of six months.

Reports will be completed by supervisors, colleagues, nurses and allied health professionals and are submitted to the Head of the Department or designate.  The Head of the Department will then submit a final report to the IMG Program, indicating whether the candidate has the clinical skills and knowledge to practice independently and safely, equivalent to the level of a final year resident in the specialty. 

The final recommendation is forwarded to the CPSM from the IMG Program.

Following successful completion of the assessment, the PRA candidate will be expected to fulfill their return-of-service to Manitoba, as laid out in their sponsorship agreement.

The candidates are also required to complete a one year mandatory Mentorship Program through the IMG Program.

Licensing requirements are coordinated by the CPSM.