What is MINC#NIMC?

A Medical Identification Number for Canada (MINC) system has been developed to identify every individual in the Canadian medical education and practice system. MINC numbers will be issued by MINC#NIMC (the "hub" organization), which has been incorporated by the Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FMRAC) and the Medical Council of Canada (MCC).

MINC numbers will be issued to all individuals at the time of first (even temporary) entry to any aspect of the Canadian medical education or practice systems, including undergraduate students, postgraduate trainees, applicants to MCC examinations, and physicians of any registration status.

Once assigned, MINC numbers remain unchanged throughout the individual’s entire medical career. Assigned numbers are never to be re-used, even after the death of the individual. Individuals carry the same MINC number, even if they leave Canada and return, move between jurisdictions, or change registration status.

No information is encoded in MINC numbers (other than country and profession assigning the number), and they will reflect no special privilege, rights or status. They are simply serial numbers for identification purposes.

All medical licensing authorities in Canada have endorsed the MINC number as a primary means of identifying individuals whom they register. The MCC will also use MINC numbers to identify all individuals whom they may register to write their exams. Other organizations which maintain databases of physicians or physician information will be encouraged to become Licensed Users of the MINC#NIMC system as well.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information will guide the operation of the MINC#NIMC system (see privacy policy). Licensing agreements will bind such users to implement CSA principles within their organizations.

As privacy impact and operational issues are still being explored, aspects of this program description or implementation plan are subject to change.