The SIPPA program assesses the readiness of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to practice family medicine in Saskatchewan. This program is only open to family physicians. SIPPA is offered three times per year, with up to 24 spots each session – typically in January, May, and September.

SIPPA

The program consists of two parts:

Centralized Assessment: Orientation and Examination

The centralized assessment is approximately three weeks in length and includes topics of history taking, communication, critical thinking practicing Family Medicine in Canada and the therapeutics decision making examination (Follow this link to view or download a copy of the candidate information sheet for the Therapeutic Examination for Practice Ready Assessment Selection Process.)

Effective April 2018 there will be a fee of $1,200 for candidates who sit the SIPPA Therapeutic Decision Making (TDM) examination.

A pass standing on the SIPPA TDM examination is required for a SIPPA candidate to be eligible for the Centralized Orientation and Clinical Field Assessment. Eligible applicants who have successfully completed the saskdocs pre-screen will be invited to take the SIPPA TDM examination.

Applicants to SIPPA should be aware that it is a competitive process and that achieving a pass standing on the SIPPA TDM examination does not guarantee selection for the SIPPA program. Please note, all applicants to SIPPA must meet all eligibility requirements as set out by saskdocs and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan.

Further information can be found on the SIPPA program website.

Clinical Field Assessment

Only those who are successful in the Centralized Assessment move forward to the Clinical Field Assessment which is six or 12 weeks in length. It encompasses a global review of practice to cover communication skills, information gathering, learning techniques, prescribing, case management and readiness for independent practice.

Candidates selected for SIPPA are:

  • Required to fulfill a three-year return of service to the Province of Saskatchewan (follow this link for a sample ROS contract);
  • Provided accommodation for the duration of the orientation and assessment;
  • Provided an honorarium while participating in SIPPA; and
  • Strongly advised coming without family as this is an assessment program designed for an individual person and accommodations are for one.

SIPPA: Who is Eligible?

Entry into SIPPA is a competitive process. In order to participate the physician must first meet the Pre-Screen licensure eligibility requirements. Interested physicians should complete the Pre-Screen Checklist (The Pre-Screen Checklist is best viewed using Internet Explorer. If you are having trouble viewing the PDF and receive a “please wait” message, locate the download icon and save it to your computer. Once you have completed the checklist upload it and a copy of your Curriculum vitae (CV) into your My saskdocs profile. Once these files are submitted a recruiter will provide additional details and next steps.

The Pre-screen Licensure eligibility criteria:

  1. Successfully completed an undergraduate medical degree from a country/school listed on the FAIMER or World Directory of Medical Schools list.
  2. Submit documents for verification through the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Physician Credentials Repository.
  3. Pass standing in the Medical Council of Canada’s Qualifying Exam Part 1 (MCCQE1).
  4. EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 2017 – Candidates must pass either the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part 2 or National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) taken after 2013 with a grade of 75 or greater.
  5. Successfully completed a post-graduate/internship/residency training program in Family Medicine that is a minimum of 12 months in duration.  Candidates are required to have a minimum of eight weeks of post-graduate training in the required rotations.
  6. Candidates who have less than 24 months of family medicine internship/postgraduate training must have three years of full-scope practice as a family physician.
  7. Successfully completed the IELTS English language proficiency exam and must have a minimum of 7.0 in each component with a total score of 7 (Exam results expire after two years).

Candidates are exempted from English language proficiency testing if their medical education – medical degree and internship – and patient care experience were in one of the following countries that have English as a first and native language: Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada*, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands and the Caribbean Islands of: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados,Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago. (*exceptions apply)

  1. Have been in active, independent practice as a family physician in the last three years.

Additional information on the eligibility requirements can be found by reviewing the SIPPA Common Questions. Completion of the Pre-Screen checklist does not guarantee licensure or selection for SIPPA.

Licensure criteria can change at any time without notice. 

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