How Much Does the MCCQE1 Exam Cost?

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The MCCQE Part 1 is a significant financial commitment — and the exam fee itself is only part of the total cost. Between registration, credential verification, study materials, and potential retakes, candidates need to budget carefully.

Here's a transparent breakdown of every cost associated with taking the MCCQE Part 1 in 2026.

MCCQE Part 1 Exam Fee

The current exam fee for the MCCQE Part 1 is approximately $1,290 CAD. This fee is the same for all candidates regardless of whether you're a Canadian Medical Graduate (CMG), US graduate, or International Medical Graduate (IMG).

Fee Component	Amount (CAD)
MCCQE Part 1 exam fee	~$1,290
Rescheduling fee (if done within window)	~$150–$300
Late withdrawal / no-show	Full fee forfeited

All fees are paid through your physiciansapply.ca account. The MCC updates fees periodically, so always verify the current amount on the official MCC fee schedule before registering.

Additional Costs for IMGs

International Medical Graduates face extra costs that CMGs do not, primarily related to credential verification.

IMG-Specific Cost	Estimated Amount (CAD)
Source verification of medical degree	$325–$500
Document translation (if applicable)	$100–$400 per document
Notarisation of documents	$50–$150
ECFMG verification (if using this pathway)	Included if already certified
physiciansapply.ca account fee	Included in verification

The source verification process alone can add $325–$500 to your total cost. If your medical school transcripts and degree are in a language other than English or French, you'll also need certified translations — which can cost $100–$400 per document depending on the language and provider.

Study Material Costs

Study resources represent a significant — and often underestimated — expense. Here's what most candidates budget for:

Resource	Typical Cost (CAD)
Question bank subscription (3–6 months)	$100–$400
Toronto Notes (print or digital)	$150–$200
Supplementary textbooks	$0–$300
Practice exams / mock tests	Often included in qbank

Choosing the right question bank is one of the highest-impact decisions you'll make. Our comparison of MCCQE question banks breaks down what each platform offers and at what price point.

Total Cost Estimate

When you add everything together, the total cost of taking the MCCQE Part 1 varies significantly between CMGs and IMGs:

	CMG Estimate	IMG Estimate
Exam fee	$1,290	$1,290
Source verification	$0	$325–$500
Document translation	$0	$0–$400
Study materials	$250–$500	$250–$500
Total	$1,540–$1,790	$1,865–$2,690

These estimates don't include travel and accommodation costs if you need to travel to a Prometric test centre in a different city, which can add several hundred dollars.

What If You Fail and Need to Retake?

There is no limit on the number of MCCQE Part 1 attempts, but each retake costs the full exam fee (~$1,290 CAD). There is no discounted retake rate.

Scenario	Additional Cost
First retake	~$1,290
Second retake	~$1,290
Each subsequent attempt	~$1,290

This is why preparation quality matters so much. Failing and retaking the exam once effectively doubles your total cost. Investing in solid study resources upfront — and following a structured study plan — is significantly cheaper than paying for a second attempt.

Ways to Reduce Costs

1. Apply for Financial Assistance

Some provincial medical associations and medical schools offer bursaries or exam fee subsidies for students in financial need. Check with your school's financial aid office.

2. Use Free Resources Strategically

Free practice questions and study materials exist, but they vary widely in quality. Our guide to free MCCQE practice questions identifies which free resources are worth your time and which ones may do more harm than good.

3. Pass on Your First Attempt

This sounds obvious, but it's the single biggest cost-saving measure. Every failed attempt adds $1,290 plus the opportunity cost of additional months of preparation. Candidates who invest in comprehensive preparation upfront — structured study plan, quality question bank, full-length practice exams — overwhelmingly pass the first time.

4. Start Source Verification Early (IMGs)

Delays in source verification can force you to miss a registration window and wait for the next session — which may mean additional months of qbank subscription fees and lost income from delayed licensing. Starting the process 6+ months in advance eliminates this risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MCCQE Part 1 fee refundable?

Partial refunds may be available if you withdraw before the withdrawal deadline. After the deadline, or in the case of a no-show, the full fee is forfeited. Check the MCC's refund policy on physiciansapply.ca for current deadlines.

Does the exam fee include the score report?

Yes. Your score report is included in the exam fee and delivered through your physiciansapply.ca account, typically 8–12 weeks after the exam session.

Are there payment plans?

The MCC does not currently offer payment plans for exam fees. The full amount must be paid at the time of registration.

How does the MCCQE cost compare to the USMLE?

The USMLE Step 2 CK costs approximately $1,080 USD (roughly $1,460 CAD at current exchange rates). The total costs are comparable, though IMG-specific verification costs differ between the two systems. See our MCCQE vs USMLE comparison for a full breakdown.