MCCQE1 vs LMCC: What's the Difference?

If you've been reading Canadian residency forums, you've probably seen "MCCQE1" and "LMCC" used almost interchangeably. They aren't the same thing — one is an exam, the other is a credential — and confusing them can cost you time on ServiceCanada applications, CaRMS forms, and provincial licensing.

The short answer

• MCCQE Part I (MCCQE1) is the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination, Part I. It's a one-day, computer-based exam of ~210 multiple-choice questions and 38 Clinical Decision Making (CDM) cases.
• LMCC stands for Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. It's a national credential — not an exam — awarded by the MCC once you meet a set of eligibility criteria that includes passing the MCCQE1.

You write the MCCQE1. You hold the LMCC.

What does the LMCC actually require?

To be granted the LMCC, you must:

1. Hold a medical degree from a Canadian or WFME-recognized international medical school listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
2. Pass the MCCQE Part I.
3. Complete at least 12 months of postgraduate training in an accredited program (typically your PGY-1 year in a Canadian residency).

Until 2021, the LMCC also required passing the MCCQE Part II. The MCC retired MCCQE2 for most candidates during the pandemic and has not reinstated it as a general requirement — so as of 2026, the LMCC is effectively MCCQE1 + degree + 12 months of accredited training.

Do IMGs need the LMCC?

If you're an international medical graduate applying to CaRMS, you need to pass the MCCQE1 (and typically the NAC OSCE) before the CaRMS match. The LMCC itself is awarded after you've completed your PGY-1, so IMGs don't hold it during the application cycle — they hold an MCCQE1 pass certificate.

Most provincial colleges require the LMCC (or its equivalent) before granting a full independent practice licence.

Common misconceptions

• "I need to pass the LMCC." No — you pass the MCCQE1. The LMCC is granted to you.
• "The LMCC replaces provincial licensing." No — you still need to register with the college in the province you'll practise in (CPSO in Ontario, CPSBC in BC, etc.).
• "MCCQE2 is still required." No — MCCQE2 was retired for most candidates in 2021 and is not required for the LMCC as of 2026.

What to focus on

If you're writing your first MCCQE-related exam, the MCCQE1 is what matters. Everything else — the LMCC credential, provincial licensing, CPSO registration — flows from it. MDReview's MCCQE1 question bank is built to the MCC Objectives with AI-graded CDM practice so you can pass on the first attempt and earn your LMCC on schedule.