How Long Does It Take to Become a Psychiatrist in Canada?
Becoming a psychiatrist in Canada typically takes around 12 years after high school. That’s because psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health—so they need extensive education, clinical training, licensing exams, and residency.
Step 1: Your Undergraduate Degree & Prerequisites
You start with a Bachelor’s degree, usually in science or health-related fields like biology, psychology, or neuroscience.
Schools also expect prerequisite courses in subjects like chemistry, physics, biology, and math.
A strong GPA and volunteer or research experience help your medical school application.
Step 2: Medical School
Medical school takes four years and leads to an MD degree.
You’ll learn about anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, patient care, and do clinical rotations, including psychiatry.
Many students choose psychiatry electives or research in their final years.
Step 3: Psychiatric Residency
After medical school, you enter a five-year residency in psychiatry obtained through the Canadian Resident Matching Service.
Residency includes:
PGY‑1: one year in general medicine, neurology, emergency medicine, etc.
PGY‑2 & PGY‑3: training in adult, child/adolescent, and geriatric psychiatry.
PGY‑4 & PGY‑5: leadership, specialization tracks, electives (e.g. forensic psychiatry, psychotherapies).
Step 4: Mandatory Exams & Certification
You must pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exams (MCCQE) Part I & II—these grant you the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC).
At the end of residency, you take the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada psychiatry exam to become a certified specialist (FRCPC).
Step 5: Provincial Licensing
After certification, you apply for a medical license from your provincial College of Physicians and Surgeons (e.g., CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC).
Each province has its own registration process, but all require medical school, residency, and successful exams.
Ongoing Learning & Career Development
After becoming a psychiatrist, lifelong learning is mandatory. You continue with:
Continuing medical education (CME), conferences, board recertification
Research or fellowship options, such as specializing in child psychiatry, psychotherapy, or forensic mental health.
Canadian psychiatry training programs are guided by the CanMEDS framework, which ensures doctors develop as communicators, professionals, leaders, advocates, and scholars—not just clinicians.
Why This Matters for You
Knowing the path to become a psychiatrist can help you feel more confident when choosing one. You can be assured that licensed psychiatrists in Canada have undergone:
years of rigorous academic study and clinical training
standard exams and certification
ongoing learning and regulatory oversight
So when you book an appointment, ask if they hold FRCPC status and are licensed by your province’s medical college—this ensures they meet all official standards.