Accreditation is a rigorous, peer-review process that evaluates a program using a number of standardized criteria. It is essential that a medical education program be accredited to license its graduates as doctors.
The Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS) and the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) have worked together to accredit Canadian undergraduate medical education programs over the years. While a working relationship between both bodies will continue, the joint accreditation process has come to an end.
This means that as of June 30, 2025, CACMS will become the sole accrediting body for medical schools in Canada, as announced by the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada.
As part of the process, CACMS establishes accreditation standards and sends a Survey Team to complete an onsite visit of each medical program at least once every eight years. The role of the Survey Team is to evaluate the program’s compliance with standards and elements, using information presented in the school’s documentation and during interviews. The Survey Team prepares a formal survey report of its findings to help CACMS make a determination about the accreditation status of the educational program. Based on the accreditation outcome, a program may be asked to submit progress reports or may be subject to a follow-up visit.
CACMS maintains a public list of all accredited Canadian undergraduate medical education programs.
As the number one ranked medical doctoral university in Canada*, McGill University’s Undergraduate Medical Education Office is committed to maintaining high standards of excellence for its medical school program.
*Macleans Canada’s best Medical Doctoral universities: Rankings 2023