FAQs
Questions about CARDUP? You are certainly not alone. These FAQ and the answers should dissolve any misconceptions, or misunderstandings about CARDUP. If you still have any questions please do not hesitate to contact CARDUP's head office.
- What events led to the formation of the Canadian Registry in 2000?
- Where did the name CARDUP/ACPAED come from?
- What are the benefits in joining CARDUP?
- Do Canadian employers recognize CARDUP and the Canadian credentials?
- As a Canadian, do I have to join CARDUP?
- Do I have to belong to the Canadian registry (CARDUP) to work in my province?
- Are there Canadian Exams?
- Are there French Exams?
- When Canadian Exams are in place will I have to re-write?
- Will the Canadian Exams guarantee that I can work in the U.S?
- Is CARDUP/ACPAED a regulatory body?
- I am already registered with the American Registry. What is the advantage to joining CARDUP?
- Will the American Registry accept the CARDUP credentials as reciprocal or equivalent?
- What effect does my CARDUP membership have on my current credentials with the American registry ?
- Do I have to quit the American registry if I belong to CARDUP?
- Do I have to send my credits to both CARDUP and the American Registry?
- Would registry with both organizations mean that I need 60 CME credits?
- If I join CARDUP should I renew my status with the American Registry?
- What happens if I do not renew with the American Registry?
- Can I join CARDUP if I am not an active member of the American registry ?
- Is CARDUP going to change the CME requirements ?
- Is CARDUP going to offer liability insurance?
- Presently the American registry does not require me to be a member of any other association. When I obtain registration with the Canadian registry (CARDUP) will you also require me to become a member of the CSDMS/ CSE?
- Are the Board members paid or volunteer?
- Why does CARDUP need funds for an exam? Why can't you use questions from the schools?
- Who will assess the clinical skills? If this is done only by the school staff for their own students will it be biased and too easy i.e. with multiple retries?
Q. What events led to the formation of the Canadian Registry in 2000?
The concept of Canadian examinations and a national registry existed in the early 1980's, however, the idea began to take shape in 1993. By 1999 the need for a Canadian Registry became acute to address accreditation requirements, bilingual policies and provincial regulatory issues. In addition, Canadian Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (CSDMS) surveys in 1993 & early 2000 indicated a 70% positive response for the development of a Canadian Registry.
Q. Where did the name CARDUP/ACPAED come from?
The name CARDUP was chosen because 1) it reflected various types of ultrasound professionals, i.e, cardiology, vascular technology and general sonography, 2) the word ultrasound was readily understood by the public, and 3) it represented the association and alliance of the three founding societies. ACPAED is the French translation of CARDUP. Other names considered included: CRDMS - Canadian Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, and CREST - Canadian Registry of Echocardiographers, Sonographers and Technologists.
Q. What are the benefits in joining CARDUP?
Main benefits include:
- Easy tracking of Continuing Medical Education credits (CME credits)
- comparable cost to other sonographic registries
- Canadian credential(s) linked to Canadian practice standards (Canadian National Competency Profiles)
- Canadian recognition of the profession
- Support of Canada's national registry towards strength and quality
Q. Do Canadian employers recognize CARDUP and the Canadian credentials?
An information campaign is ongoing for the promotion of the Canadian Registry and recognition of the Canadian credentials. Job ads are now emerging in which "CARDUP" qualifications are required. Alberta and B.C.'s Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons both formally recognize CARDUP as an employment credential
Q. As a Canadian, do I have to join CARDUP?
Currently (in 2004), provincial regulation only exists in Quebec but it is pending in other provinces. In regulated provinces it is up to the regulatory body (often called a 'college") to decide on the credentials and criteria for employment. Where there is no regulation, it is up to employers to decide which credentials are acceptable for employment. At present employers are recognizing Canadian and American registry as criteria for employment so the choice is yours.
Q. Do I have to belong to the Canadian registry (CARDUP) to work in my province?
This is up to each provincial regulatory body if there is one. If there is no provincial legislation this is up to the employer(s).
Q. Are there Canadian Exams?
In August 2001 CARDUP and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) launched a project to establish bilingual certification examinations for the Ultrasound Professions of Medical Sonographer, Vascular Technologist and Echocardiographer. (Further details on CARDUP web site - See Project Update)
Q, Are there French Exams?
CARDUP is committed to the development of French Canadian exams for Francophone Ultrasound Professionals in Canada. (See Project Update)
Q. When Canadian Exams are in place will I have to re-write?
When Canadian exams come into effect, current CARDUP registrants will not have to re-write. There will likely be a transition period in which both Canadian and approved non-Canadian exams are recognized. Following this transition period, it is likely that sonographers will then have to write the Canadian exams to receive the Canadian CARDUP credentials.
Q. Will the Canadian Exams guarantee that I can work in the U.S?
Neither the Canadian nor the American exams can guarantee a job in the States. Ultrasound is not regulated in the U.S. therefore there is no mandated exam or registry. It is up to the employer. However, writing exams, becoming registered, and maintaining your registry status makes you more desirable to an employer. Many Canadians who are registered with the American Registry are unable to work in the States because the Ultrasound profession is not part of the NAFTA. Having one exam and one registry to cover employment in both countries is not possible at this time due to the above reasons. Exam Reciprocity is more realistic. CARDUP will pursue reciprocity options or some type of liaison with both American Registries as well as with the Australian and British groups.
Q. Is CARDUP/ACPAED a regulatory body?
No. Regulation of a profession is a provincial mandate only and national bodies do not regulate or license. Future provincial regulatory bodies may endorse CARDUP registration, i.e. the national standard, in the interests of their citizens and to facilitate inter-provincial portability.
Q. I am already registered with the American Registry. What is the advantage to joining CARDUP?
There are personal and financial advantages to joining CARDUP. Some sonographers have embraced it immediately because they wish to support a national Canadian Registry, and/or need a Canadian alternative. (For some Canadians, the American Registry is not an option as it is considered to be a foreign registry by their provincial government.) Others are choosing to maintain both registries for a variety of reasons. And still others may wait before joining while observing CARDUP's future directions. CARDUP encourages you to make the decision that is best for you.
Q. Will the American Registry accept the CARDUP credentials as reciprocal or equivalent?
This is up to the American Registry. Right now, a "current" CARDUP registrant is equivalent to an "active" ARDMS® member in terms of having passed the same exams and having maintained a minimum of 30 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits per triennium. The main differences are the dues payment and which registry incurs the administrative costs for registrants. CARDUP plans to pursue reciprocity or equivalencies with American, Australian and British registries in the future.
Q. What effect does my CARDUP membership have on my current credentials with the American registry ?
The ARDMS® has trademarked the credentials RDMS, RDCS, RVT and ROUB so you can only use these designations if you continue to maintain active ARDMS® registration and pay dues to the United States. The recognized Canadian Credential(s) are: CRGS™ -Canadian
Registered Generalist Sonographer; CRCS™-Canadian Registered Cardiac Sonographer; CRVS™-Canadian Registered Vascular Sonographer.
Q. Do I have to quit the American registry if I belong to CARDUP?
- No, you may choose to maintain both registries.
Q. Do I have to send my credits to both CARDUP and the American Registry?
- Only if you have chosen to maintain both registries.
Q. Would registry with both organizations mean that I need 60 CME credits?
- No, only 30 credits are required to maintain either registry.
Q. If I join CARDUP should I renew my status with the American Registry?
This is an important and personal decision for all active ARDMS® registered sonographers. If you choose CARDUP alone, you are choosing to adopt the Canadian credentials and are making a decision to stop using the American credentials. If this is your personal decision, you may wish to resign from the American Registry in good standing. (Please refer to the next question)
If you choose both registries then you must pay both renewal fees. However, you only have to collect one set of CMEC's and can submit the same CMEC's to both bodies.
Q. What happens if I do not renew with the American Registry?
As mentioned in the question above, not renewing with the American Registry at any time is subject to the rules for non-renewal and after a certain time frame (please check with the ARDMS®) you will lose your American credentials.
Q. Can I join CARDUP if I am not an active member of the American registry ?
- You can join the Canadian registry if you meet the eligibility requirements, i.e you have passed exams approved by CARDUP, and can submit proof of clinical competency, etc. (See Registry Requirements - CARDUP web site)
Q. Is CARDUP going to change the CME requirements ?
- At present, the requirement is 30 credits in a three-year period. There are no current plans to change.
Q. Is CARDUP going to offer liability insurance?
-No, CARDUP is the registry body. Professional liability insurance is handled by the national professional societies such as the CSDMS.
Q. Presently the American registry does not require me to be a member of any other association. When I obtain registration with the Canadian registry (CARDUP) will you also require me to become a member of the CSDMS/ CSE?
- No, you do not have to belong to the CSDMS/CSE or any other professional organization. They are in place to offer you services that a registry cannot provide such as liability insurance, educational conferences, etc.
Q. Are the Board members paid or volunteer?
The CARDUP Board of Directors and all development committee members
i.e. Steering Committee, Education Task Force and National Education Committee, are volunteers and receive no compensation for their time. Expenses for travel, accommodation and meals are paid by CARDUP. We have been extremely fortunate to have some very talented and knowledgeable volunteer educators and practitioners involved with our development. Head Office staff and our Executive Director are paid positions and have been organized on a cost and facilities sharing arrangement with the CSDMS at the same location in Kemptville Ontario.
Q. Why does CARDUP need funds for an exam? Why can't you use questions from the schools?
CARDUP requires its own examinations to comply with the CMA
Committee on Conjoint Accreditation guidelines as well as possible provincial regulation of the profession being investigated in a number of provinces, both require third party or independent assessment for National professional registration. The basis for the new CARDUP examination question bank will most certainly come from contributions from accredited Canadian training programs and the Examination Development Task Force made up of practitioners and educators. We are always looking for knowledgeable and capable volunteers for this work.
Q. Who will assess the clinical skills? If this is done only by the school staff for their own students will it be biased and too easy i.e. with multiple retries?
Clinical Skills Assessment will be performed by Clinical Specialists connected with the CMA accredited training programs across Canada but certified by CARDUP to perform the assessments. For students from accredited programs the assessments will be performed in the final stages of their training. The clinical assessment exams work on the 100% rule for core competencies and the 80% rule for specialty specific competencies. There is no provision for retries if a student or sonographer fails the assessment, based on a predetermined number of cases determined by CARDUP. A re-challenge of the entire assessment process for that specialty will be necessary to successfully gain registration. The Clinical Skills Assessment Tools leave little leeway for leniency or subjective interpretation by the Clinical Specialist.
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CARDUP/ACPAED
P.O. Box/C.P. 119
Kemptville, ON
K0G 1J0
Toll free phone/Numero sans frais: 877-488-0788
Fax/Telecopieur: 613-258-0899
Email/Courriel: info@cardup.org