Senthil did his residency and worked for several years in India before moving to the United Kingdom for advanced training.  From there, he applied to work in Saskatchewan.  Senthil was granted a temporary license in Saskatchewan based on his UK credentials. 

"Prior to coming to Canada, I had my credentials checked by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan. The process took about a year and I was granted a temporary license."

Once Senthil had settled into his position as a Psychiatrist, he began studying for the medical exams.

"My family didn't see much of me on the weekends for the first year!  Fortunately, three other psychiatrists were studying for their exams at the same time.  We were a big help to each other.  The Saskatchewan Medical Association was also very helpful. They provided study materials for the exams. I am now fully licensed."

(Read more about Senthil's experience).

Gathering the required documents before leaving your home country can shorten the time it takes to get a license.  Patricia, a Graduate Nurse, began the process prior to leaving Ghana.

"When my family and I decided to immigrate to Canada, I contacted the Saskatchewan Association of Registered Nurses and began gathering transcripts and credentials.  I left Ghana part way through the process and continued it once I arrived in Canada. 

It took longer, about five more months, to get the required documents when I was no longer in Ghana and able to contact people directly."

Once she qualified for her Graduate Nurse license, Patricia began working towards her Registered Nurse (RN) license. Although her first attempt at writing the RN exam was not successful, she has passed it and has been working as a Registered Nurse since March 2009.

Patricia has some advice for others.

"It is important to get your materials together before you leave your home country and to have your English language ability assessed.  Even if you have trained in English in your home country, you might still need to have your English assessed in Saskatchewan."

(Read more about Patricia's experience).

For some, the process is much more time consuming and it takes years before they are able to practice.  Originally from Sudan, Mawien took his medical training and residency in Egypt.  His credentials were not recognized in Saskatchewan.

Shortly after arriving in Canada he unsuccessfully wrote the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) qualifying exam.  At this point, he realized he had some decisions to make.

"I decided to take a two-year Nuclear Medicine Technologist course so that I could work in a hospital environment.  I worked for four years as a technologist while I prepared for and successfully wrote the medial exams.  Fortunately, I was accepted into a two-year family medicine residency. I now have my full license."

Working in the hospital environment while preparing for the exams was a good decision for Mawien.

"Working in the hospital was empowering. It helped me remember, I am a doctor. I can do this. People got to know me and I was able to get references for later on.

People want to help you. When they find out you are a doctor, they encourage you. The residents, doctors and the Saskatchewan Medical Association were all very helpful in sharing resources and providing encouragement."

(Read more about Mawien's experience).

The licensing exams test medical knowledge and an understanding of the Canadian health care system.  For Anne, working as a nurse in the hospital while she studied for her exams, made a big difference.

"Interacting with the patients and being exposed to how the Canadian health care system works helped me pass the exam.  The exam tests both skills and theory, so hospital experience is crucial!"

Anne received her training in the Philippines and worked for a number of years in Saudi Arabia.

"Prior to coming to Canada, I gathered the required transcripts and credentials from the Philippines and Saudi Arabia and took the English proficiency exam.  I qualified as a Graduate Nurse before I left Saudi."

She found her first year in Canada was very challenging as she adjusted to a new environment and prepared for the exams.  Anne was grateful for the support she received personally and professionally.

"My husband stayed home with the baby for the first few months.  He was a great support. The other nurses were very encouraging and I found there were lots of materials and sample exam questions available through the hospital library, SRNA, the internet and the nursing program at SIAST."

(Read more about Anne's experience).