Canadian Board of Examiners
Certification Program
The purpose of the examination process is to measure, in
a standardized and unbiased manner, the ability of the candidate to
apply the knowledge and skills in the role of a professional. Passing a
certification examination establishes that the individual is minimally
competent to work unsupervised in a given field or profession. The
certification does not mean that an individual knows everything required
to be considered an expert in a given field.
There are two exams in Canada, one for technologists and one for
technicians, (as determined by the candidate’s provincial
certification). Throughout this text the acronym BMET refers to both
biomedical engineering technologist and technician.
For dialysis certification, one examination is also used for both technologists and technicians (as determined by the candidate’s provincial certification). Throughout this text the acronym “cdt” refers to both dialysis technologists and technicians.
The basic eligibility requirement for being examined for biomedical engineering or dialysis certification is the candidate’s registration with their provincial association as a certified engineering technologist or technician, as recognized by The Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT), with a minimum number of years of related experience.
A certified member, in good standing, of a provincial association of engineering technicians and technologists, recognized by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists.
The candidate shall have a minimum of 3 years practical experience as a biomedical engineering, or dialysis technologist or technician in a clinical/hospital environment, OR Candidates, who are graduates of a recognized biomedical post-secondary program, accredited by the Canadian Technology Accreditation Board (CTAB), and/or recognized by The Board, will be allowed to count a maximum of 1-year internship period as part of the 3-year requirement.
It is not necessary that the candidate be currently employed by a hospital, but it is required that the candidate have the above experience.
The applicant shall submit the names of at
least 5 references for the biomedical engineering
technologist/technician, 3 references for the dialysis
technologist/technician. These references
must be health care professionals who are familiar with the individual’s
competence in the following areas:
a. Technical ability
b. Clinical experience interfacing with physicians
c. Clinical experience interfacing with nursing staff
d. BMET only - two others who have knowledge of the BMET’s work experience.
Note: If a physician reference (b) is not available, include an additional nursing reference (c).
The names of references are requested on the application form. Confidential questionnaires will be sent to the referees by the Secretariat. These forms are returned directly to the Secretariat.
The process is as follows:
Upon receipt of completed application form and fee, the candidate will receive a receipt of payment, which will indicate that the candidate’s file has been activated.
The Secretariat will send out reference requests to the references indicated on the candidate’s application form.
Upon receipt of these completed references, the candidate’s file is directed to the Board of Examiners for review. The Board will determine if the candidate meets the requirements for examination, or if additional information, or further study is required.
When the Secretariat has been advised of the candidate’s acceptance for examination, a proctor will be appointed to oversee the written examination. The proctor will be a qualified examiner in the candidate’s city/town, or as close as possible. The candidate shall have made arrangements with the proctor and written the exam within two (2) years of the acceptance date.
BMET examination candidates will be given eight (8) hours to complete the BMET examination. The use of hand-held scientific calculator (no calculators that allow text storage or formulation(s)) and one 7.6 cm by 12.7 cm card with formulas is allowed for the BMET examination. The card shall only contain formulas (no text) on both sides and shall have a font size of not less than 8 pitch. Calculators that are included as part of cellular phones, or other electronic communication devices will not be permitted. The formula card must be handed in together with the completed exam. Dialysis examination candidates will be allowed three (3) hours to complete the dialysis examination. The use of a scientific calculator is permitted. Calculators that are included as part of cellular phones, or other electronic communication devices will not be permitted. No cue cards or other aids are permitted for dialysis examination candidates.
Upon successful completion of the written examination, the Board will advise the candidate of the results. The Board then makes its recommendation to the International Certification Commission, and a Certificate will be issued.
If the BMET candidate has not achieved a passing mark on the BMET exam, he/she will be given a time period to study in the area(s) of weakness, and then be given the opportunity to rewrite a supplementary examination that focuses on this area.
If the dialysis candidate is not successful on the exam, the entire examination can be re-written.
The candidate’s Certificate is sent to the
Canadian Board Chairman for signature and the candidate will be
consulted as to whether he/she wishes it to be sent to their supervisor
for presentation, or
directly to him/herself.
The content of the examination is based on the following premises:
The BMET must be able to communicate intelligently with physicians and
other hospital staff members. Also, in order to fulfill his/her
responsibilities in the area (e.g. in the area of safety and device
performance), he/she must have a reasonable knowledge of anatomy and
physiology. The knowledge should include familiarity with terminology
and body functions/systems.
The BMET should possess a broad knowledge of equipment and laboratory
instrumentation used in a clinical setting. His/her knowledge should
include, but not be limited to, the theory of operation, clinical
application, safety requirements, regulations and standards relating to
physiological monitors, analytical laboratory instruments, vacuum and
gas pressure vessels and controls, anaesthesia equipment, information
systems interfaces, ventilators, imaging devices (including MRI, CT,
PET, X-Ray and ultrasound), physiological instruments, electrosurgical
units, lasers (YAG, CO2, etc), renal dialysis, non-invasive surgical
instruments.….etc.
The BMET should be able to perform theoretical troubleshooting, using
schematics, for equipment ranging from the simple fibre optic light
source to the microprocessor based electromyography. The BME
Technologist should also possess basic management and supervisory
skills.
The content of the dialysis examination covers the Critical and Supporting Competencies.
The critical competencies are:
1. Water Treatment
2. Dialysis Membrane Technology
3. Basic Principles of Dialysis
4. Haemodialysis Systems Components
5. Dialysis Electrical and Electronic Systems
6. Computer Systems
7. Haemodialysis On-line Technologies
8. Safety Standards and Directives
The supporting competencies are:
1. Renal anatomy/physiology & pathology
2. Treatment modalities
3. Dialyser Re-processing
4. Assessment of Dialysis Adequacy
5. Access Assessment Techniques and Technologies
6. Anticoagulation & Coagulometric Technologies
7. Complications of Haemodialysis Treatment
8. Applied Chemistry
9. Applied Microbiology
10. Professional Practice
A Study Guide is available, which provides an insight into the
examination by means of a mini sample examination and recommended
readings. The Study Guide for both specialties is available from the
Secretariat.
The application fee is subject to annual review, (see schedule). This
fee is non-refundable after the candidate has been accepted for
examination. The fee is to cover the cost of processing the candidate’s
application and one examination session (if the candidate is determined
eligible to test for certification). If, after the receipt of references
and review by the Board, it is decided that the candidate is not
eligible for examination, the candidate’s fee will be refunded, less an
administration fee to cover costs to that point. The Examination Fee
will be reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted as required to cover
the costs associated with maintaining The Board.
A Certification Application form must be completed. Curriculum Vitae are
not acceptable in lieu of the completed form. This application form is
directed to The Board Secretariat. The Secretariat will obtain the
applicant’s references and send the application together with the
references to The Board of Examiners for review.
The application will be reviewed by three (3) board members and they
will decide whether or not the applicant is qualified to take the
examination based upon the eligibility requirements. The applicant is
then informed of his/her eligibility to take the examination.
If the Board does not recommend testing, the applicant is informed and
he/she may choose to follow the appeal procedure.
The Secretariat submits the candidate’s application for review by the
Chairperson of The Board. The Chairperson will undertake a review of the
application that is consistent with the intent of the original
application review.
The Board will also make every effort to provide examinations in a
location that the candidate might easily access. The examination site
should provide appropriate testing conditions including good lighting,
large desk, lack of noise, and a nearby rest room. The examination date
will be a mutually agreeable date between the candidate and the
examination proctor or supervisor. The examination may begin no earlier
than 0800 hours and no later than 1300 hours (full examination only).
The BMET examination is divided into two parts. The first part is in
multiple-choice format and includes five (5) sections that cover the
topics of:
Anatomy and Physiology
Electronics
Medical Instrumentation
Troubleshooting
Canadian and other recognized standards.
The second part contains Essay questions pertaining to the practice and organizational management of Biomedical Engineering Programs.
The dialysis examination is multiple choice
format with the value of question awarded at 1, 2 or 3 points, depending
on degree of difficulty. The critical and supporting competencies are
represented in the
examination. Four different examinations are available and are written
on a rotating basis to ensure that a different selection of questions is
used. Approximately 120 questions will appear on each examination.
Examination Proctors and Supervisors
Examination proctors and supervisors shall be individually selected for
each candidate, by The Board, based upon geographic location,
determining if there is a previous relationship that could bias and
affect the outcome and being a certified member of the engineering
profession. Proctors are given instructions as follows:
The examination site should provide appropriate testing conditions including good lighting, large desk, lack of noise, and a nearby rest room
To protect the security of the examination, the examinee should be closely monitored by the proctor who must remain at all times in the examination room, or in an adjacent room where security can still be adequately maintained. The proctor may appoint a replacement supervisor to substitute from time to time if necessary (provide name(s) to the Secretariat)
The examination may begin no earlier than 0800 hours and no later than 1300 hours (full examination only)
The examinee will be given up to eight (8) hours (full examination), or two (2) hours (supplemental examination), as required, to complete the BMET examination. The examinee may only leave the room to go to the rest room. Lunch break may be taken in the room, if the examinee desires, and he/she may be advised to bring a lunch. At the discretion of the proctor, the candidate may go out to lunch with the proctor, after the examination papers have been appropriately secured.
The examination proctor or supervisor must maintain appropriate security of the examination documents at all times. If the security of the examination is compromised in any way, or if there is a suspicion that the security of the examination has been compromised, please inform the BMET Board Secretariat at once at the number shown below. Three (3) hours are given for the dialysis examination. Because of this concentrated period of time, no food is permitted in the room, unless medically necessary. Beverages may be brought in provided they are in a closed container.
The proctor or supervisor must ask each examinee entering the room for personal photographic identification. A driver's licence, birth certificate or Company I.D. card are acceptable.
The proctor should confirm that the examinee’s full name matches that printed on each page of the examination.
The BMET examinee may bring a hand held calculator and/or a cue card to the BMET examination. The cue card should be no larger than 7.6 cm by 12.7 cm and should contain equations, not words. Both sides of the card can be used. The dialysis examinee may use a scientific calculator, but may not use any cue cards for the dialysis examination.
The examinee must not have any form of communicating device (cell telephone, Blackberry, pager, camera etc.) on his person whilst writing the examination.
The examinee should clearly mark answers in the boxes provided on the multiple-choice section of the examination in pencil.
For the full BMET examination, the proctor should emphasize that there are two essay questions to be answered, after the completion of the multiple-choice section.
The proctor or supervisor may not answer any technical questions concerning the examination, but may answer questions about examination procedures.
All pages of the exam, including the allowed list of equations, plus any additional sheets of paper requested by the examinee, must be collected by the proctor and placed in the addressed envelope provided prior to mailing.
Note that proctors and supervisors will not be eligible to take the BMET examination for four (4) years from the date of the examination supervised or proctored.
Call the BMET BOARD SECRETARIAT if you have any questions about proctoring or supervising the BMET Certification Examination. Telephone: (613) 823-9447 (0900 – 1700 EST)
The proctor is required to sign the confidentially statement found in Appendix F.
All pages of the exam, including the allowed equations card, plus any
additional sheets of paper requested by the examinee, must be collected
by the proctor and placed in the addressed envelope provided prior to
transportation.
Transportation of Examination Materials
Examination materials, including answer templates where appropriate,
shall only be sent via courier or registered mail to the proctor’s home
address, board member’s home address or the secretary’s address. All
electronic versions of the examination shall only be shared within The
Board membership with electronic password control on each document.
Two (2) members of The Board will be assigned to grade the examination
using a predetermined answer template. The Board members will complete
the BMET certification examination scoring sheet (BMET Sample in
Appendix D, cdt Sample in Appendix E) and submit it with all materials
to the Secretariat.
For the BMET Examination, a minimum mark of
50% is required in each of the six (6) sections. 75% of the marks gained
in the first five (5) sections, plus 25% of the mark gained in the essay
section, will
constitute the final mark attained. The final mark attained must equal
or exceed 60%, with each of the six (6) sections receiving a mark of 50%
or more, for a pass to be granted.
For the cdt examination a minimum mark of 70% is required for a pass to be granted.
Upon notification of the examination results, a candidate wishing to
appeal the outcome must submit a letter to The Board Secretariat
requesting an appeal within ninety (90) days of receiving the
examination results. If challenging a particular item on the
examination, provide as much detail as possible about the item. Each
appeal is handled individually depending upon its nature. Candidates
will be contacted if additional information is needed, or when a
decision has been reached. Challenges made by way of notations on the
examination booklet are not considered an appeal and will not be
reviewed by The Board or taken into consideration. Upon receiving the
letter of appeal, the Secretariat submits the candidate’s examination
for review by the Chairperson of The Board. The Chairperson will
undertake the grading of the examination that is consistent with the
prescribed examination grading procedure. The Chairperson will complete
the BMET certification examination scoring sheet (BMET Sample in
Appendix D, cdt Sample in Appendix E ) and submit it with all materials
to the Secretariat.
Supplemental Examination Procedure
For the BMET examination process, the aim is to encourage the
candidate to successfully complete the certification examination,
therefore, the candidate will be given the opportunity to rewrite
sections of the examination where their original score was insufficient
for a pass to be granted, until The Board is satisfied that the
candidate meets the standards required. Supplementary examination(s),
covering the section(s) in which the candidate was unsuccessful in the
original examination process, will be made available. In taking
supplementary examination results into consideration, the candidate must
obtain a grade level that is consistent with the original examination
process of a minimum mark of 50% in each of the six sections previously
written (one or more of which may have been re-written as a
supplementary examination) and a final attained mark of equal to, or
exceeding, 60%. The candidate shall have written all supplementary
examinations within two (2) years of notification that supplementary
examination is required by The Board.
For the dialysis examination process, no supplementary examination is offered if the candidate is not successful on his/her first attempt. The candidate may re-write the complete examination the next time it is offered.
A certification annual renewal fee is implemented to maintain the
Canadian Certification process and provides a listing to the
International Certification Commission Directory of Certified
Individuals. Renewal fees are due in the month of January following the
date of your passing the certification examination. The certification
renewal fee will be reviewed on an annual basis and adjusted as required
to cover the costs associated with maintaining The Board.