Overview
Transform your knowledge into exam success
The oral component of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada examination in Anesthesiology is the final regulatory examination that trainees must pass to qualify for independent practice of anesthesia in Canada. While mastering the art of safe anesthesia management across a diverse array of clinical contexts is the cornerstone of residency training programs, the ability to effectively articulate this clinical competence in the context of an oral examination presents a unique challenge, even for the most proficient clinicians.
- Online non-credit course, affiliated with the McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences (Department of Anesthesia)
- Instructors are qualified Canadian Anesthesiologists, including experience as a Royal College examiner and/or experience in preparing learners to challenge the Royal College oral examinations in anesthesia.
- Successfully complete the eight-week online course to earn a digital Certificate of Completion that highlights the specific skills you’ve learned
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Program highlights
- Convenient online course with synchronous live sessions
- Taught by Canadian Anesthesiologists including former Royal College examiners
- Abundant examples of oral exam questions
- Practical strategies shared with ample opportunity for practice

What you'll learn Learn More
- Translate core knowledge of anesthesia within a clinical scenario.
- Identify anesthetic conflicts and anesthetic goals for a clinical scenario.
- Communicate safe anesthesia management, using cognitive strategies in response to sample exam questions.
What you'll learn - Learn More
- Identify strategies for staying organized, addressing conflicting priorities, and understanding the structure of oral exam questions and answers.
- Translate core knowledge of anesthesia within a clinical scenario.
- List the anesthetic considerations of a clinical scenario.
- Provide tailored assessments for specific patient groups.
- Identify anesthetic conflicts and anesthetic goals for a clinical scenario.
- Communicate safe anesthesia management, using cognitive strategies in response to sample exam questions.
- Identify common pitfalls that may be encountered when providing an oral exam answer.
Expandable List
- Senior residents in Canadian Anesthesia Residency training programs
- Internationally trained anesthesia fellows who intend to challenge the Royal College examination in Anesthesia
- International graduate staff anesthesiologists at an academic centre who intend to challenge the Royal College examination in Anesthesia
- International anesthesia residents whose local exam mirrors the Canadian exam
This course will be part of your strategy for optimizing success at the Royal College oral examination in Anesthesia. Success at the oral component of the examination is required for certification for the independent practice of Anesthesia in Canada.
- Identify strategies for staying organized, addressing conflicting priorities, and understanding the structure of oral exam questions and answers.
- Translate core knowledge of anesthesia within a clinical scenario.
- List the anesthetic considerations of a clinical scenario.
- Provide tailored assessments for specific patient groups.
- Identify anesthetic conflicts and anesthetic goals for a clinical scenario.
- Communicate safe anesthesia management, using cognitive strategies in response to sample exam questions.
- Identify common pitfalls that may be encountered when providing an oral exam answer.
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Oral Exam Readiness for the Anesthesia Canadian Licensing Exam Certificate of Completion
Oral Exam Readiness for the Anesthesia Canadian Licensing Exam Program
Earn a certificate of completion recognizing your learning achievement
Explore the requirements below and register today!
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Earn a Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of the eight-week course listed below, you will receive a digital certificate of completion recognizing your learning achievement. Complete with details of the skills and specialized knowledge you have acquired, your credential is digitally shareable, making it easy to add to your resume, LinkedIn profile and to share with current or prospective employers.
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Course Name (Course Code) | Cost | Units | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring/Summer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral Exam Readiness for the Anesthesia Canadian Licensing Exam (HTH 502) | $2,000.00 | Oct 20 - Dec 14 Format: Online | — | — |
Admission Requirements
Admission Requirements
This program is open enrolment, which means there is no formal application or admission procedure. To enrol in a course, simply register online. Our courses can be taken as part of a program or individually.
To enrol in McMaster Continuing Education programs, you must:
- Have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent OR
- Be a mature student as defined in the Undergraduate Calendar of McMaster University OR
- Be deemed an exceptional case
To ensure you are successful in your online courses, you are required to have knowledge and skills with general computer applications, such as keyboarding, file management, video conferencing and word processing.
Language Requirements
If English is not your native language, you must meet McMaster University’s English proficiency requirements by either qualifying for an exemption or passing a McMaster-approved English test. You will not need to provide proof of meeting this English requirement prior to registration. If you demonstrate English proficiency below the required standard, you will be asked to provide proof or to withdraw.
Expandable List
- Visit continuing.mcmaster.ca/programs to find your program of choice
- Click on each tab on the program page to learn about credential options and requirements, schedule and fees, and a list of all courses in the program
- Select a course and then select an available offering, noting important information such as cost, delivery format, and start/end dates; then click ‘add to cart’
- Once you have added your courses, click the shopping cart icon at the top right-hand corner of the page (bottom of the browser screen on mobile)
- Review your cart and, once you’re ready to proceed with enrolment, click ‘proceed to checkout’
- As the next step, you will be redirected to Mosaic – McMaster’s Administrative Information and Enrolment system
- Once you are in Mosaic, select ‘new to McMaster’ or log in with your existing MacID and password (if applicable)
- Complete all required fields and select a program of study when prompted (i.e., a specific program or open studies for standalone courses)
- Finally, payment is required in full to secure a spot in your course(s)
A payment receipt email will be issued to you immediately after registering, and a course confirmation email will be sent to you overnight. Within approximately 24 hours of registering, you will also receive an important email containing credentials used to activate your MacID, which you must do before you can access courses in Avenue to Learn. Please review our Getting Started page to learn more about the next steps for beginning your studies after registration, and our Help Centre for our Refund Policy and other frequently asked questions. Please note that on average, each course requires 6-8 hours of study per week, per course (sometimes more) and some courses may have listed prerequisites. Please plan your schedule accordingly. Most students take 1-2 courses per term across a few different terms and a full-time equivalent course load is typically 3-4 courses per term.
For more information and a walkthrough on how to register, please check out this video.
- Payment must be made in full at the time of enrolment
- Online credit card or debit payments are preferred
- Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- Accepted debit cards: Visa Debit and Debit Mastercard
- Google Pay is available for faster checkout
- Payments can be made from a Canadian Financial Institution and can take 2 to 4 business days to arrive in your McMaster student account. Once payment has arrived, you can register for your course. Please note that if the amount of the course fees owing is more than what was transferred to your student account, you will be dropped from the course.
- Problem processing your payment? Please reach out to your credit card company if your payment was declined. Otherwise, wait two hours before attempting your registration again.
Ready to get started?
Visit the Schedule tab to select your course and proceed with the registration steps.