Alternate Pathway Applicants
What is the Alternate Pathway?
The Alternate Pathway is for those individuals pursuing Sonography Canada credential(s) but have not completed an accredited Canadian sonography educational program in the area. Examples are:
- Internationally credentialed (includes ARDMS/CCI) or trained sonography professionals from outside Canada
- Those with Sonography Canada credentials seeking additional credential(s)
- Those wanting to upgraded a Canadian Registered Sonographer (CRS) credential
These applicants must submit an Alternate Pathway Application form to initiate the process. This will be assessed according to Sonography Canada’s Eligibility Policy. It can take up to six (6) weeks for the application to be processed.
If approved, candidates may proceed with the credentialing process, which includes knowledge-based examinations and the Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA™).
Alternate Pathway Eligibility, Applications, and Resources
Planning to work in a Province (Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and/or Quebec) where sonographers are regulated:
If planning to work in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and/or Quebec, individuals must approach the relevant provincial regulatory body for sonographers in the province before proceeding:
- College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Technologists of Ontario (CMRITO)
- Nova Scotia College of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Professionals (NSCMIRTP)
- College of Medical Radiation and Imaging Professionals of Saskatchewan (CMRIPS)
- Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec (OTIMROEPMQ)
If planning to work in a unregulated province or territory or are unsure where you plan to practice:
Sonographers are not currently regulated in many areas in Canada. Therefore, the requirements for employment vary by location. If you wish to earn a Sonography Canada credential, you can apply for approval to do so at the below application:
If you have not already done so, you will need to create a free Sonography Canada account online in order to submit your application. A membership is not required to submit your application or access the examinations.
For more information, please consult the Eligibility Policy below.
Completing the Written Certification Examinations
Individuals must be approved for the Alternate Pathway before being eligible to apply for the written examinations. Please see the information above for details about the pathway.
Resources
- Candidate Guide
- English Language Fluency Recommendations
- National Competency Profiles
- Exam Blueprints and Reference Material
- Exam Dates, Schedules and Registration Periods
- Exam Fees
- Practice Exams
- Core Examination Preparation Courses
Applications and Forms
Please review the Sonography Canada Candidate Guide before applying and challenging all exams. For all Sonography Canada exam dates and registration deadlines, please click Exam Dates. Application forms for those wishing to challenge Sonography Canada credentialing examinations are available below during registration periods only.
If you have not already done so, you will need to create a free Sonography Canada account online in order to submit your application. A membership is not required to submit your application or access the examinations.
- Exam Application – The $125.00 administration fee is non-refundable.
- Change Request Form for Examinations Applications
- Exam Withdrawal and Refund
- Certification Exam Appeal Request
Communication from Meazure Learning/Yardstick regarding exam scheduling will be sent by email. Please note: Emails may be diverted to spam or junk email folders. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check spam/junk email folders if they do not receive an email in their inbox.
Please contact examinfo@sonographycanada.ca with any questions.
Completing the Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA)
The requirements to achieve a Sonography Canada credential include the successful completion of both Canadian Clinical Skills Assessment (CCSA) and a knowledge-based exam which are based on the requirements of the National Competency Profiles (NCPs).
CCSAs are summative instruments designed to measure entry-level clinical competence. The skills are based upon the clinical or “C” level competencies in the NCPs and should be demonstrated in candidate’s clinical performance consistent with the definition of entry-level competence. It is completed as a one-day assessment where the candidate scans the required cases types for the credential area while being observed by two Sonography Canada credentialed assessors.
Individuals must be approved for the Alternate Pathway, and have successfully completed the written certification examination before they can apply for the CCSA. Please see the information above for details about the pathway and examinations.
Applications and Forms
- CCSA Application
- CCSA Result Appeals Request – Forward form by email to examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
For more information regarding the CCSA please contact examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
Resources
The Michener Institute of Education Generalist Bridging Program
Our Certification FAQs answer many of the common questions applicants to the Alternate Pathway ask us. You can submit additional questions to examinfo@sonographycanada.ca.
