Osteopathic Medicine in Ontario
Since the early 1900s, there have been osteopathic physicians practicing in Ontario, and registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Through the combined efforts of the Ontario Osteopathic Medical Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and with the assistance of the Canadian and American Osteopathic Associations, eventually new regulations have been developed that recognize osteopathic medical education for full licensure with the College and recognition of United States Osteopathic medical licensing examinations for registration. As of yet however, the process for assessment and accreditation of U.S. Osteopathic postgraduate training programs for licensure in the United States is not recognized for full licensure in Ontario. Osteopathic graduates who apply for full medical licensure in Ontario (General Practice or Specialty Practice) based on U.S. postgraduate training, must have completed residency programs that are ACGME accredited (Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education). AOA accredited residency training is accepted for osteopathic registration to practice musculoskeletal medicine.
Continued efforts by the OOMA, British Columbia Osteopathic Association, and Canadian Osteopathic Association (COA) in cooperation with provincial and national regulatory bodies has led to full medical licensure of American osteopathic medical graduates with the provincial colleges of Physicians and Surgeons nation wide, as well as recognition by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Additionally, the Medical Council of Canada accepts the DO degree (Doctor of Osteopathy) granted by AOA approved American osteopathic colleges for entrance to the Medical Council of Canada licensing examinations.
For those interested in returning to Ontario to practice please click here.
Advisory Regarding Non-Physician Practitioners using Osteopathic Titles
Unfortunately, while there has been a void in appropriately trained and registered osteopathic graduates in Ontario, other non-physician practitioners have taken advantage of public demand by holding themselves out as Osteopaths or 'Osteopathic Practitioners'. However, these individuals have not obtained a comprehensive osteopathic medical education and are ineligible for licensure in Canada. For patients to be certain that they are seeing a registered and licensed osteopathic practitioner, the OOMA recommends confirming that your osteopathic practitioner is registered and licensed to practice with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
