Alberta - Second Iteration

Updated June 17, 2025

University of Alberta
University of Calgary

2026 Cycle Information

Criteria applicable for all medical graduates; for specific information, please see tabs.

Please note that the criteria on this page is from the 2025 match. Updated 2026 provincial criteria will be posted on this page in the upcoming months, once it has been reviewed by the province.

Second Iteration

First Iteration

Criteria for all medical graduates

CRITERIA APPLICABLE TO ALL MEDICAL GRADUATES
GENERAL INFORMATION	The University of Alberta and the University of Calgary have agreed to the following policies for the R-1 match. It is important to note that individual programs may have specific criteria used to review applications. Applicants are responsible for reviewing program-specific criteria, as well as the provincial criteria listed, to ensure they meet all required eligibility criteria. Failure to meet eligibility/licensing criteria or failure to provide proof of any of the stated requirements may result in the applicant’s file being disqualified and removed at any point during the match. To provide transparent access to this opportunity, the requirements set herein will not be changed mid-cycle. U.S. Allopathic Medical Graduates (USMG) Medical students or graduates who have obtained or are in the process of obtaining a medical degree from an allopathic medical school in the U.S can either be considered Canadian Medical Graduates (CMG’s) or International Medical Graduates (IMG’s) within the residency application process, depending on their graduation date. This differentiation is due to changes made in the joint accreditation process of medical schools in the U.S and Canada. If you graduated from a U.S. allopathic medical school before July 1, 2025, you are considered a Canadian Medical Graduate (CMG). Refer to the CMG tab. If you graduated on or after July 1, 2025, you are considered an International Medical Graduate (IMG). Refer to the IMG tab. AHS Requirements Please be aware that Alberta Health Services (AHS) determines immunization requirements for all healthcare workers who provide services on AHS, Alberta Precision Laboratories, Covenant Health, Carewest, and Capital Care property. This applies to resident physicians. Immunization requirements are subject to change as per AHS policy. Matched applicants must meet all AHS requirements to start training July 1, 2026, including, but not limited to: Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search Compliance with AHS Immunization Policy CPSA Registration All applicants must meet the criteria for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) for postgraduate medical education, including English Language Proficiency. Once matched, any delays in providing all required documentation to CPSA may result in a delay in the issuance of a certificate of registration and a delay in the start of postgraduate training beyond July 1, 2026. Mandatory PGME Orientation Matched applicants must attend a mandatory PGME Orientation at the matched University prior to commencement of training. The PGME Orientation is typically scheduled for the last week of June, in accordance with Alberta’s Resident Physician Agreement. The purpose of this orientation is to provide critical onboarding information in addition to ensuring there is support for matched applicants as they transition into residency. Attendance is required in person: matched applicants should not book holidays/vacations for the last week of June and must be able to attend the PGME Orientation as scheduled: University of Calgary: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 University of Alberta: Thursday, June 25, 2026 Absences are only permitted in exceptional circumstances with prior approval of PGME. Artificial Intelligence (AI)  To maintain the spirit of fairness and equity, PGME does not tolerate the submission of altered, falsified, AI-generated, or fraudulent information or documentation, intentionally or otherwise. Such applications will be considered void and, if discovered after the CaRMS match, may result in immediate dismissal or withdrawal of the postgraduate training position. Transfers in 2^nd Iteration CMG resident physicians currently in training in Canada may access the second iteration as a way of changing programs or specialties. Please see the Additional Criteria for CMGs for more information.
LICENSING BODY	College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta
MATCH STREAMS	The second iteration will be open to: CMGs who were eligible for the first iteration but did not apply; CMGs or AIMGs who were eligible for the first iteration but did not match; CMGs who were ineligible for the first iteration due to having previous postgraduate residency training in the United States or Canada; and CMGs who were ineligible for the first iteration due to currently undergoing postgraduate residency training in Canada. The second iteration of the CaRMS match will include two parallel streams: Canadian Medical Graduate (CMG) Stream; and International Medical Graduate (IMG) Stream. University of Alberta: Each stream will have designated positions, however, some programs may have a blended second iteration. Please see individual program descriptions for more information. University of Calgary: Each stream will have designated positions. There will be no cross-over or transfer between the two streams.
RESTRICTIONS	The R-1 match cannot be used for re-entry (i.e. licensed physicians/physicians in practice who wish to re-train in a different discipline). Applicants with a sponsoring agency (i.e. Sponsored Trainees) other than the Department of National Defense (DND) are not eligible. Applicants who previously underwent residency training in Canada or the US but were withdrawn, either voluntarily or involuntarily, are required to disclose to the program if the withdrawal was involuntary. Applicants who were previously enrolled in residency training in Alberta but were involuntarily withdrawn are not eligible to apply to the institution from which they were withdrawn.
CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENTS	See the Summary of citizenship requirements.
PROOF OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY	See the Summary of language proficiency requirements.
MEDICAL COUNCIL OF CANADA EXAMS	See the Summary of MCC examination requirements.

Additional criteria for CMGs

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR CANADIAN MEDICAL GRADUATES
RETURN OF SERVICE (ROS) REQUIREMENTS	There is no provincial return of service requirement.
MEDICAL EDUCATION	Please see individual program descriptions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	CMGs who are current Resident Physicians at a Canadian University can apply to the second iteration of the CaRMS R-1 match as a possible route to change program or specialty. Applicants will be required to include the documents required of a transfer application package as listed on the AFMC National Transfer Guidelines, including: A summary of your training record/summary from the PGME Office that includes: current program, current PGY/stage of training, expected completion date in current program, training dates, leaves, and any formal remediation/appeals/probation and outcomes (including any ongoing) All in-training assessments/evaluations These documents must be uploaded directly by the candidate.

Additional criteria for IMGs

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATES
RETURN OF SERVICE (ROS) REQUIREMENTS	There is no provincial return of service requirement.
MEDICAL EDUCATION	Please see individual program descriptions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION	If you are interested in applying to the province of Alberta you are required to complete an assessment before you are able to apply through CaRMS. IMGs must be deemed eligible by the AIMG Program to participate in the CaRMS match process for designated Alberta IMG positions. AIMG Program eligibility criteria are specified on the AIMG Program website.