Certification FAQs
Find answers to Sonography Canada’s commonly asked questions.
General Questions
When can I apply for the exams?
The Sonography Canada exams are administered three times per year. The exam sitting dates and registration periods are listed here.
Do I get a full refund for duplicate exam applications, or can the application fee be waived for duplicates?
Each application incurs a non-refundable application fee, meaning the fee will not be waived or refunded on duplicate applications. It’s important to ensure you only submit one application per exam type to avoid unnecessary charges.
What do I do if I get a honey pot error?
This technical issue occurs when using autofill. To bypass this error, input your information manually. For further assistance, contact Sonography Canada at examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
What kind of study resources are there for the exams?
Here are some study resources available for the exams:
Can my exam score be adjusted?
Exam scores are final and are not subject to adjustment. The scoring process for Sonography Canada examinations is rigorous and includes multiple checks to ensure accuracy and fairness. However, if you believe there has been an error in the scoring process, you may contact Sonography Canada to inquire about the possibility of a review. Keep in mind that such reviews are typically limited to verifying that the scoring process was conducted correctly, rather than adjusting scores based on performance. For further assistance, reach out to Sonography Canada at examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
What is the cut/pass score for the exams?
The passing score for Sonography Canada exams varies, and is determined using the Modified Angoff method, where experts estimate the expected performance level for each exam item. The average of these estimates sets the original passing score. Equating is then used to adjust the passing score for future exam forms, ensuring fairness by accounting for variations in difficulty. Easier exams will have higher passing scores than more difficult ones. More information can be found in the Candidate Guide.
Where can I access my exam receipts and results letters?
After submitting your exam application, you will receive an automated email receipt of your purchase to the email address included on your application. Exam receipts can also be viewed from your Sonography Canada account centre by clicking on Ecommerce Dashboard > Orders.
Your exam results will be sent to the email address provided in your application. You can also access exam result letters from your Sonography Canada account centre under Exam Results. For more information on results, please refer to the Candidate Guide. If you require assistance with retrieving these documents, please email examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
When will I get the full details of the upcoming exam sitting (e.g. location)?
You will receive full details for the upcoming exam sitting, including the location, approximately four to six weeks after the registration window closes. This information is sent to the email address you provided during in your exam application. Ensure that your contact information is up-to-date to receive all necessary communications regarding your exam(s).
Who do I contact regarding the remote exam set up?
For any questions or issues regarding the remote exam setup, please contact ProctorU at testingsupport@meazurelearning.com. Additionally, you can contact Sonography Canada’s exam support at examinfo@sonographycanada.ca for further assistance.
Who do I contact for exam accommodations?
To request an Exam Accommodation, please complete the Accommodations section in the
exam application. See the Candidate Guide for more information.
How do I access the entry to practice exams?
You must first be approved through Sonography Canada’s Accredited or Alternate Pathway program to access the entry-to-practice exams. The Accredited Pathway is for graduates of a Canadian accredited sonography program, whereas the Alternate Pathway is for internationally educated candidates, as well as those pursuing an additional Sonography Canada credential. Please follow the page links for details.
How do I access the practice exams?
In preparation for the certification exams, we have developed ONE practice exam each for the Core and specialty exams. Click here to create an account and purchase a practice exam.
How do I know if I’ve been approved for the exams?
Approved applicants will receive an approval email for each exam confirming that the applicant has been authorized to challenge the exam(s). Similarly, if the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements to challenge the Sonography Canada examinations, notification will be sent by email.
If you have not received an approval or non-approval email by three weeks before the scheduled exam, please reach out to us at examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
How do I know if my application went through?
Upon submission of your application, you will receive a confirmation email from Sonography Canada with further information about the exam sitting. Please be sure to check your junk/spam folders for this email. If you do not receive this confirmation, reach out to us at examinfo@sonographycanada.ca for assistance.
Do we get receipts for tax forms?
The exam and membership receipts accessible from your Sonography Canada account are sufficient for submitting with your annual tax return. Please contact examinfo@sonographycanada.ca directly for assistance.
The exam application link is not working. What do I do?
If the exam application link is not working, make sure that you are accessing it during a designated exam registration period. Applications are not accepted outside of these registration periods. If the issue persists, please contact Sonography Canada for assistance at examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
Why am I being charged $125 when I apply?
Each application is subject to the mandatory Application Processing Fee of $125. This fee is nonrefundable.
How do I pursue an additional credential?
This is done through our Alternate Pathway option. More details can be found here. Once your application is approved for the Alternate Pathway, you would then have access to the two components of the credential: the written examinations and the clinical component called the Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA™). Both components must be successfully completed to receive a credential.
Accredited Program Questions
How do I become eligible for the core and specialty exams?
Your educational program is responsible for determining eligibility for the Core exam. Candidates must have graduated from an accredited (or accredited with condition) program before challenging a specialist exam. In addition, Sonography Canada also requires confirmation of exam eligibility sent from the educational program to approve a specialist exam application. After you submit your exam application, Sonography Canada will review your eligibility and contact you if there are any issues. Ensure your contact information is accurate to receive important updates.
I passed the knowledge-based exams – do I have a Sonography Canada credential(s)?
Yes. After graduating from a Canadian accredited program, which includes the CCSA component, and successfully completing Sonography Canada’s knowledge-based exams, you will obtain the Sonography Canada credential.
A program is listed as ‘accredited with condition’. What does that mean?
A program listed as ‘accredited with condition’ means the program demonstrates partial compliance with accreditation standards. It must implement specific changes within two (2) years of receiving conditional status to maintain accreditation. To be eligible for the Sonography Canada exams, candidates must have graduated from a Canadian Sonography program listed as ‘accredited’ or ‘accredited with condition’ by Accreditation Canada at the time of program completion. Please see the Accredited Pathway Eligibility Policy for details.
Where do I find a list of accredited sonography programs?
Accreditation Canada provides accreditation services for diagnostic medical sonography educational programs in Canada. You can review the current list and status of accredited programs here by selecting ‘Diagnostic Medical Sonography’ from the list. Program location, prerequisites and format can vary widely between programs. You can research each program to determine which one may best suit you. If you have any specific questions, it is best to contact the programs directly.
Alternate Pathway Candidates
How do I become eligible for the Sonography Canada exams?
Approval to write the Sonography Canada exams can be granted through either a provincial regulatory college or through Sonography Canada’s Alternate Pathway. For more information, please view the eligibility policy.
I want to work in Canada – what do I do?
In Canada, the requirements to practice vary depending on the province in which you plan to work. Diagnostic Medical Sonography is a regulated profession in some provinces. A license to practice must be obtained from the relevant regulatory college in order to practice as a sonographer in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, or Saskatchewan.
- Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, or Saskatchewan
You must approach the relevant provincial regulatory college for sonographers first to learn their specific requirements and pathway for practice. They have a pathway for approval and will allow access to our written exams as needed.
Regulatory Colleges:
- Unregulated provinces
In unregulated provinces, it is up to the employer to determine hiring requirements. Many job postings request that applicants have a Sonography Canada credential(s), although some may accept your current credentials. We recommend viewing job postings in the location(s) you’re interested in to determine what qualifications are typically required. You may be eligible to earn one or more our credentials (CRGS, CRCS, CRVS), if you wish to pursue one.
How do I pursue a Sonography Canada credential?
This is done through our Alternate Pathway. More details can be found here. Once your application is approved, you would then have access to the two components of the credential: the written examinations and the clinical component called the Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA™). Both components must be successfully completed to receive a credential.
I passed the knowledge-based exams – do I have a credential?
Passing the knowledge-based exams is a significant step towards obtaining a credential, but it is not the only requirement. To receive a Sonography Canada credential, you must successfully complete both the knowledge-based examinations and the Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA™). If you have completed both components, then you would be eligible to receive your credential.
If I have a credential, can I practice in a regulated province?
Earning a Sonography Canada credential will not guarantee registration in a regulated province because provincial regulatory bodies have specific requirements for practice. You will need to inquire directly with the appropriate regulatory body to learn their requirements.
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For membership inquiries, contact: info@sonographycanada.ca
For certification and exam inquiries, contact: examinfo@sonographycanada.ca
