As a resident in Canada, extra income can help with loans or lifestyle, but rules around licensing, duty hours, and immigration make some options off-limits. This guide covers safe choices, pitfalls to avoid, and gigs that deliver real value without derailing your training.
What’s Generally Allowed: Moonlighting and Non-clinical Work
Moonlighting is, in the CMPA’s words, “independent practice of medicine outside of your postgraduate training program”, and residents who moonlight “must hold a licence/registration acceptable to the regulatory authority (College)” where the work happens. At Queen’s, for example, the PGME moonlighting policy (November 2025) requires at least 18 months of postgraduate training, written approval from the program director, CPSO restricted registration, a completed rotation in the area of work and “the appropriate CMPA coverage” before any moonlighting starts; visa trainees are not eligible.
Non-clinical gigs face fewer hurdles. Tutoring med students, writing exam prep content, or research support usually works fine if it fits around your schedule and avoids patient care.
What’s Risky: Licensing, Duty Hours, and Immigration Status
Duty hours limit extra work: the Queen’s policy says moonlighting “must not exceed the PARO-OTH Collective Agreement work hour restrictions” and requires “a minimum of 12 hours off” before the next residency duty, and extra shifts on top of your program’s own schedule risk fatigue.
Licensing and coverage are your responsibility: the Queen’s policy says residents “are responsible for confirming this coverage is valid for their specific moonlighting role”. Trainees on a visa should check first: the Queen’s policy makes visa trainees ineligible to moonlight.
What’s Actually Worth It: High-Value Side Gigs for Residents
At Queen’s, clinical moonlighting is open only after at least 18 months of postgraduate training – think urgent care shifts that build skills, but only if fatigue stays low.
Academic work like MCCQE coaching or journal reviewing fits around training. Remote options – medical writing, health tech consulting – offer flexibility if taxes stay simple.
Pick gigs where you can answer yes to: proper coverage? Duty safe? Career boost? Skip anything else during residency.
