The CPSO Board of Directors has approved two new classes of registration for physicians: a Provisional class and a Retired class. These new registration classes will take effect once the regulatory amendments are approved and finalized by government.

The new classes will help to ensure that physicians’ certificates of registration accurately reflect both the nature of the terms, conditions, and limitations under which they practise and their status as practising (or non-practising) physicians. Following a 60-day consultation period, respondents expressed considerable support for the establishment of these new classes.

Below is a summary of key information about the new classes. The full details are available in the Board Materials.

Provisional Class

• Provides more transparency around CPSO’s different registration types; the Provisional class will include individuals with only scope-based limitations made under designated registration policies, while the revised Restricted class will include limitations imposed as a result of disciplinary action and/or practice concerns.
• Sets out a route to an Independent Practice certificate for physicians who have held a Provisional certificate for five years and who have practised continuously in Ontario during that time without additional limitations on their certificate; those currently holding a Restricted certificate with only a scope-based restriction will be grandparented in, and the time they held the Restricted certificate will count toward the five years.

Retired Class

• Offers a registration status for physicians who no longer practise medicine or provide health-care services, but who wish to remain registered with CPSO at a reduced fee.
• Exempts eligible physicians from certain regulatory requirements (e.g. CPD).
• Allows physicians to transfer back into Independent Practice without additional requirements if they have been in the Retired class for less than two years. 

Once the regulation takes effect, physicians currently holding a Restricted certificate of registration under one of the designated registration policies will automatically be transferred to the Provisional class. Those wishing to enroll in the Retired class will need to apply.