Medical Imaging Specialty Certificates

Please note: When we refer to a Bachelor's degree, NMT program, etc., these qualifications must be obtained from a recognized, accredited institution in the certification body's country (unless otherwise noted); programs must be completed, and ethical and practice standards must be/have been adhered to.

There are two bodies that offer medical imaging certifications in Canada:

• Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT)

• Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP)

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT)

The CAMRT was founded in 1942 and has over 10,000 members. It offers basic, advanced, and specialty certifications, as well as a Fellow program.

Basic Modality Certifications:

The CAMRT certifies the following basic certifications:

• Radiological Technology (designation = RTR)

• Radiation Therapy (designation = RTT)

• Nuclear Medicine (designation = RTNM)

• Magnetic Resonance (designation = RTMR)

To write the RTR, RTNM, RTT, or RTMR first discipline credentialling exam, a candidate must have completed a program in the individual field (e.g., radiological technology) and (where this is required) be registered with a provincial association of medical radiation technologists.

To write the RTMR second discipline exam, one must

• Have completed a MRI education program. (After 12/31/2003, the option of having one-year of FTE experience in MRI is no longer acceptable for exam eligibility.)

And ...

• Hold a RTNM, RTT, or RTR credential

Or ...

• Hold the American RDMS credential (through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers).

There are three sittings of these exams per year (January, May, and September), and the exams are offered in larger centers across Canada. The fee for 2007 is C$600 and for 2008 is C$700. These four CAMRT certifications are for life, but the provincial associations regulate the practice hours needed to maintain the designation.

Advanced Certification Program:

The Advanced Certification program is being phased out, with the last applications available in December 2005. Those who applied before December 31, 2005 have until December 31, 2011 to complete the program.

Specialty Certifications:

The CAMRT offers four specialty certificates: Certificate in Management Studies (CMS), Certificate in Breast Imaging (CBI), Computed Tomography Imaging Certificate (CTIC), and (new in 2007) Dosimetry Specialty Certificate (DSp).

Certificate in Management Studies (CMS)

This program is being phased out, with no new applicants accepted after August 31, 2006. Applicants accepted must must complete the program by December 31, 2013.

Certificate in Breast Imaging (CBI)

The CBI program is available for CAMRT members in good standing. The CBI program has a didactic component and a clinical component. The didactic eligibility component may be earned:

• by completing the Mammography 1 & 2 Continuing Education courses offered through the CAMRT with a minimum pass of 75% on the exam; or

• through work and attendance at seminars are able to write and pass the CAMRT's Mammography 1 & 2 exams with a minimum of 75%; or

• by completing other courses in mammography and complete a Prior Learning Assessment, then pass the CAMRT's Mammography 1 & 2 exams with a minimum of 75%.

The clinical component entails practicing mammography for at least 52 days in the year prior to applying to the CBI program, and submitting case films for assessment by the CAMRT. Submission deadlines are the second Friday of January, April, August, and November.

The program application fee for 2007 is C$300; this fee does not include the course charges (e.g., for mammography 1 and 2) or for film submission (C$50). It is recommended that one complete 15 CE hours in mammography every three years to maintain competency.

Computed Tomography Imaging Certificate (CTIC)

The CTIC program is available to full practice CAMRT members (RTR or RTT). The program includes an academic component (which must be completed first) and a clinical component. As of June 2005, both components must be completed within five years.

The academic component consists of:

• The academic component consists of three CT Imaging courses which cover the essential knowledge listed in the CTIC syllabus, and achieving at least 75% on the final course exams; or

• Completion of CT courses offered elsewhere, and submitting these courses to the CTIC for review, and achieving at least 75% on the CAMRT's final course exams; or

• Gaining on-the-job experience and completing other courses, and writing the CAMRT's final course exams, achieving least 75% on each exam.

The clinical component consists of:

• completion of 16 weeks (80 days) within an 18-month timeframe, and within the five-year period in which all components must be completed. (This work must be done under the supervision of a clinical advisor, who will be the source of verification of clinical competence. The advisor must be a healthcare professional with at least two years of experience in diagnostic CT or CT simulation.)

The program application fee for 2007 is C$300; this fee does not include course charges, exam fees, etc. There is no specific requirement for CE to maintain this qualification, but CE is recommended.

Note: Beginning in September 2008, those registering for the CTIC program will be required to take a discipline-specific course in addition to the three CT courses, referred to above.

Dosimetry Specialty Certificate (DSp)

The Dosimetry Specialty Certificate program has four components:

• A didactic component requiring successful completion of Dosimetry 1 (or an equivalent course), Dosimetry 2, and Dosimetry 3 with a minimum score of 75% on each course final exam.

• A clinical component, which utilizes a record of clinical experience and a clinical advisor to verify clinical competence.

• A research component, which is a five-step process, involving: submission of a proposed project for approval; data collection, synthesis, and analysis, and preparation of the manuscript; submission of the completed project; presentation at the National/Provincial Association annual general meeting (and oral defence, if required); final submission of paper to CAMRT journal.

• A "Maintenance of Competence" requirement involving accumulation of 50 credits within five years, in areas such as employment, teaching, conference attendance, research, etc.

For more information, see the Dosimetry Handbook.

Fellow Award Program

Finally, the CAMRT offers a program for certain individuals to become Fellows. "Fellowship represents the pinnacle of achievement within the CAMRT. It is an honour bestowed upon a group of medical radiation technologists/therapists (MRTs). The pursuit of Fellowship is not for everyone and it should not be seen as a need for every member to achieve this goal." To earn the title Fellow, one must satisfy enrolment, service, and project requirements, as follows:

• Enrolment: A candidate must have CAMRT Advanced certification, or have a CAMRT Specialty Certificate (CTIC, CBI, DSp), or hold a post-diploma certificate from an accredited institution institution, or hold an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited university/college.

• Service: A candidate must accumulate points for professional and service contributions (e.g., association work, lecturing, receiving awards, publishing) and submit a project proposal/completed project for approval.

• Project: Complete an original project that impacts or benefits the CAMRT or one of its disciplines, followed by sitting an oral exam with a four-member panel to further explore the material and test the candidate's communication skills, ability to organize ideas, etc.

The CAMRT charges a fee of C$400 for project registration.

Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP).

CARDUP was incorporated in March 2000 through a partnership with the Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (CSDMS), the Canadian Society of Vascular Technology (CSVT), and the Canadian Society of Echocardiographers (CSE). CARDUP had 3,053 members as of June 2006.

The credentials offered by CARDUP are Canadian Registered General Sonographer (CRGS), Canadian Registered Cardiac Sonographer (CRCS), and Canadian Registered Vascular Sonographer (CRVS).

As of May 1, 2006, graduates of CMA-accredited programs must:

• show proof of graduation from a Canadian CMA-accredited training program;

• successfully pass CARDUP's Clinical Skills Assessment Process (CSAP) (completed no later than 18 months after graduating);

• successfully pass CARDUP's approved written exam (completed within 18 months of graduation).

As of May 1, 2006, graduates of non-accredited programs must:

• show proof of graduation from an approved training program with "Canadian CMA accreditation in waiting status";

• successfully pass CARDUP's Clinical Skills Assessment Process (CSAP) (completed no later than 18 months after graduating);

• successfully pass CARDUP's approved written exam (completed within 18 months of graduation).

Externally trained sonographers must:

• apply with payment (C$500) of administration fees and full documentation;

• show proof of graduation from a CARDUP approved training program;

• successfully complete a CARDUP-approved knowledge-based examination;

• complete 1,170 hours of documented clinical experience in the last three years;

• Successfully complete CARDUP Clinical Skills Assessment Process for all credentials applied (cost: Core Skills $400.00 and each credential skill set $200.00.)

To maintain current registry status with CARDUP, one must obtain 30 CE credits every three years.

Updated on October 25, 2007.

Medical Imaging Specialty Certificates – Canada

Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT)

Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP).

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