Training
University degree
Many Canadian universities offer graduate programs in medical physics. In Quebec, under the AQPMC’s agreement with the Ministry, a degree equivalent to a master’s in medical physics is a minimum requirement for entry into the profession.
QUEBEC INSTITUTIONS
McGill University*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D., Certificate
Université de Montréal*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
Université Laval*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
CANADIAN INSTITUTIONS
Carleton University*
Degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
Accredited degrees available: Ph.D.
Dalhousie University*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D., Certificate
Laurentian University
Degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
McMaster University
Degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
Queen’s University
Degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
Ryerson University*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of Alberta*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of British Columbia*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of Calgary*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D., Certificate
University of Manitoba*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of Saskatchewan
Degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of Toronto
Degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D.
University of Victoria*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D., Certificate
Western University*
Accredited degrees available: M.Sc., Ph.D., Certificate
* refers to educational programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP), a non-profit organization whose purpose is to ensure that a program or institution meets a defined standard of quality education.
Residency Programs
The purpose of a medical physics residency program is to train medical physicists to perform their duties competently, professionally and safely in a clinical oncology environment, and to help meet future staffing needs in medical physics departments of Canadian cancer centers. Completion of a residency program is not currently required for entry into the profession in Quebec, however it may be required in the future.
The Medical Physics Match Program (MedPhys Match) provides a structured process to help applicants obtain positions in the medical physics residency programs of their choice, and to help programs obtain the applicants of their choice. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and the Society of Directors of Academic Medical Physics Programs (SDAMPP) have endorsed the MedPhys Match.
Several Canadian institutions offer residency programs in medical physics.
Certification Programs
Although an appropriate level of education is required by ministerial agreements, medical physics is not yet a strictly regulated profession in any Canadian province. Therefore, certification is not legally required to practice medical physics. However, most employers of medical physicists in Canada require certification as a condition of employment or career progression. In the future, certification may become a legal requirement.
Certification identifies individuals who have acquired, demonstrated and maintained a required level of knowledge, skills and understanding essential to the clinical practice of medical physics.
In Canada, certification is offered by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) in the following subspecialties
- Physics of Radiation Oncology,
- Physics of Radiological Diagnosis,
- Physics of Nuclear Medicine,
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Candidates with appropriate training and experience become members of the College by passing written and oral examinations.
Certification may also be obtained from the American Board of Radiology (ABR).