Terms of Reference
Credentials Committee


Role

The Credentials Committee (CC) is a subcommittee that reports to the Assessment Committee. It advises on policy relating to credentialing issues as well as ruling on selected credentialing cases.

Responsibility and Authority

The major responsibilities of the CC are to:

  • Provide insight on credentials policy by determining the criteria and conditions for eligibility for Royal College certification, including consideration for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) and Practice Eligibility Routes (PER)
  • Offer rulings for candidate eligibility for examination on a case-by-case basis
  • Sign-off on certification, exams and the ePortfolio at the college-level

The CC also reviews relevant policies and regulations to ensure that each step in the process leading to certification is appropriate, effective and efficient.

Composition

The CC has eleven (11) voting members, including the chair and a vice-chair. The chair is a member of the Assessment Committee. The members are Royal College Fellows with interest/expertise in medical education and knowledge of credentialing. The specific composition of the CC will be determined as appropriate and shall include the following voting members:

  • A member involved in hospital administration
  • A Fellow who achieved certification via the PER Route
  • A representative nominated by the Resident Doctors of Canada (RDOC)
  • A representative nominated by the Fédération des médecins residents du Québec (FMRQ)
  • A Fellow on staff of and representing a Medical Regulatory Authority
  • A Fellow from an under-serviced province 
  • A Program Director
  • A University competency based medical education lead (CBME Lead)
  • Patient / Family Representative

The CC also includes the following 6 non-voting members who may attend meetings but shall not be counted for the purposes of establishing quorum:

  • Two (2) residents, one each from RDOC and FMRQ
  • One (1) ex-officio Postgraduate Dean from the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC)
  • One (1) member from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC)
  • One (1) member from the Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ)
  • One (1) member from the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada

Key Competencies and Characteristics

Generally, committee members possess the following qualifications: Royal College Fellow certified and licensed to practice for a minimum of five (5) years, interest/expertise in medical education, and knowledge of credentialing.

Committee members should also possess the ability and willingness to meet the strategic directions of the Royal College and the willingness to participate effectively in committee meetings.

Term of Office

The usual term of office of the chair is two years, renewable once (maximum of four years). The term of the vice-chair is one year, renewable three times (maximum of four years). The usual term of office for members is two years, renewable twice (maximum of six years), with the exception of the voting specialty residents whose terms are one year, renewable twice (maximum of three years). The terms of office take effect as stipulated so long as the member’s total years of service on the committee do not extend beyond 10 years.

All terms shall begin and end at the time of the Annual Meeting of the Members when vacancies need to be filled.

Meetings

The Credentials Committee usually meets twice per year face-to-face, and additionally via teleconference, or web-based meetings, as needed.

Quorum consists of a majority of the voting members of the committee (i.e., 50% plus one). The chair is counted as a voting member in constituting quorum. However as the presiding official of the committee, the chair does not move motions. Furthermore, the chair shall only vote when the vote is conducted by secret ballot. Every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie vote, the question shall be defeated. When a committee is called to make a decision outside of a meeting by e-ballot, the same rules apply.

Appointment to a Royal College committee carries significant responsibilities, and all committee members are expected to adhere to the Volunteer Code of Conduct. In addition, committee members are required to maintain absolute discretion and not divulge, re-produce, or release any confidential information except when authorized by the Royal College. Committee members may download a copy of committee materials for the sole purpose of participating in committee work. All downloaded materials must be deleted once the related committee work is completed. The Royal College retains copies of committee materials should committee members wish to access them at a later time for related work.

Committee work product

In the course of performing their committee duties, committee members may produce or contribute to materials, content or other work products. These work products and the related intellectual property will be owned by the Royal College. The Royal College is open to discussing other ownership arrangements for specific projects. Alternative arrangements must be confirmed in writing by the project contributors and the Royal College.

TOR record

Approved by: CSE
Approval Date: May 1, 2019
Approval path: Accreditation Committee, CSE
Effective date: May 1, 2019
Date of next review: Spring 2022
Royal College Office: OSE
Version status: Approved