Starting in Practice

Becoming a medical resident is the first step towards establishing a personally and professionally rewarding medical practice. Doctors of BC is your partner as you transition into practice, providing tools and assistance to help you run your business smoothly.

This page contains useful resources to help you start out on your medical practice journey.

Starting a business? Find resources.

Making the transition from resident to practicing physician can be a challenge. You may need to sign a contract with a health facility, learn how to set up a practice, or quickly gain an understanding of fee codes.

New to BC? Review our onboarding information for doctors.

Not sure where to begin? Download our PDF guide to the top five steps to start a practice. Read on to find tools and resources to prepare for setting up your practice with a strong foundation.

Find practice opportunities in BC

• The BC Medical Journal contains extensive listings of job openings throughout the province. The BCMJ also has a continuously updated list of upcoming CME events to help you continue to refine your knowledge and skills.
• Health Match BC provides information about physician employment opportunities throughout BC.
• Resident Doctors of BC, in partnership with Doctors of BC, Health Match BC, the Ministry, and UBC, organizes a job fair each fall.
• If you are considering practicing in a rural location, the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues administrates programs designed for rural physicians. Programs include retention payments, Rural Continuing Medical Education and locum assistance.
• Use these Group practice interview questions if you are thinking of entering group practice.

Obtain your BC license

Register with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia to obtain a license to practice medicine in BC.

Enrol with MSP

You must enrol with MSP (Medical Services Plan) to receive your billing number. Once you have enrolled and received a billing number, you can begin receiving payment for providing insured services to eligible patients. You will be able to submit claims to MSP for services listed in the MSC Payment Schedule and other payment schedules.

• Learn how to apply for an MSP billing number.
• Ready to apply for your MSP billing number? Fill out the application form.

Review tech support options

Discover what organizations or programs are available to help you navigate the diverse technological supports and benefits in BC. The Essential technology list includes essential tools and resources offered to doctors to help run their practice.

Continue your learning

UBC Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an academic unit dedicated to helping physicians throughout BC improve their knowledge, professional performance, and technical skills. They offer regular courses, programs, resources and support to physicians and other health care professionals in a range of rural and urban settings.

Talk to Doctors of BC's in-house insurance advisors

As a member of Doctors of BC, you have access to exclusive insurance plans. Licensed, non-commissioned insurance advisors are ready to discuss our full range of high-quality insurance products and services specifically designed to meet the your needs.

Transition resources for residents

Attend Transition Tuesdays

These monthly one-hour workshops are held the first Tuesday of every month and cover a wide range of topics on everything from financial planning and investing to billing. Residents at all levels are welcome to attend. Check out the calendar of events.

Visit UBC's Transition into Practice website

UBC's Transition into Practice website contains a wealth of information on developing a medical curriculum vitae, finding job postings, and financial and office management (such as incorporation, office space purchase, and contract negotiation). You can access information through a combination of modules and seminar series.

Connect with MD Financial Management's transitioning to practice information hub

As a physician transitioning to practice, you have a lot of financial decisions to make—whether to join a practice or start your own, to incorporate or not, to buy a home or rent, MD Financial Management can support you. Access webinars and guides that have practical, need-to-know information to get you started.

Get help from the Transition into Practice Service

HealthForceOntario’s Transition into Practice Service (TiPS) offers assistance during the sometimes-daunting time between residency and practice. Gain practical, career-focused knowledge with learning modules. Much of the content applies to residents throughout Canada.

Learn about loan forgiveness

Student Aid BC runs the BC Loan Forgiveness Program for health care professionals, including physicians.

Connect with Resident Doctors of BC

Resident Doctors of BC (formally the Professional Association of Residents of BC or PAR-BC) is a Labour Relations Board-certified trade union that bargains collectively on behalf of residents in BC. Doctors of BC works closely with Resident Doctors of BC on many issues.

• As of February 1, 2023, family doctors have the option to bill under the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model.
• For doctors considering initiating or revising a contract agreement, template agreements are available for group practices, including Cost Sharing agreements, Contractor agreements, Release of Information as it relates to Assignment of Payments, and Group Governance agreements (coming soon).
• The Doctors of BC Fee Guide is updated regularly and includes the General Preamble, the services insured by MSP, as well as recommended fees for private and Non-MSP-insured services.
• The Family Practice Services Committee’s billing guide includes incentive payments available to BC’s eligible family physicians.
• The Specialist Services Committee fees are processed through the Medical Services Plan; however, they are managed by the SSC.

Take advantage of family practice benefits

The Family Practice Services Committee has programs and fees to improve job satisfaction for family physicians. These programs include practice support, community support, and patient attachment fees.

Join your local Division of Family Practice for regional support, resources, and events.

Benefit from specialist programs and fees

The Specialist Services Committee has programs and fees to improve job satisfaction for specialists. Some of these programs include practice support, leadership training scholarships, and telephone fees.