Certified Clinical Densitometrist

Information for those Practicing in Canada.

I am already a CCD™® & wish to be Re-Certified

What is CCD™® Certification?

Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD™®) is a professional certification in the field of bone densitometry. It recognizes medical practitioners who meet specified knowledge requirements measured through a standardized testing process. Successful candidates can use the CCD™® designation after their names. This is a five year (5) certification. The CCD™® exam for those practicing in Canada is offered with two different testing options. The individual can attend an International Bone Densitometry Courses or sit for the exam at a Prometric testing Centers throughout North America. The exam is comprised of 75 questions. Participants have 2 hours to complete the exam. Remote Testing is also available.

Who is eligible to sit for the Prometric CCD™® Exam?

Certification is open to clinicians who interpret bone densitometry examinations and includes: physicians, certified nurse practitioners, certified physician assistants, fellows, resident and PhD's.
Clinicians must be in good standing with their medical licensing board. Fellows/Residents must have their Program Director acknowledge their good standing in the Fellow/Resident program.

International Bone Densitometry Courses

ISCD's education courses and certification exams are the world-recognized quality standard in the field of skeletal assessment. The ISCD is now providing education courses and certification exams to countries outside the United States at very low cost. This will help local organizing committees to better budget for the state-of-the-art ISCD Clinician and Technologist Bone Densitometry Courses. It also enables ISCD to fulfill its mission of advancing excellence in the assessment of skeletal health. ISCD benefits greatly from the interactions with international colleagues who share our interest in skeletal assessment.

How to apply for the Prometric CCD™® exam at a Prometric Testing Center

1. Download and print the CCD Exam Application
2. Fill out the application (home address and email required)
3. Submit application to the ISCD via fax or mail with appropriate fee

What happens when ISCD receives my application?

1. You will receive notice within 5 business days that the ISCD is in receipt of your application.
1. If you have provided adequate information and payment you will receive a receipt of payment and an confirmation email.
2. If we are unable to process your application we will attempt to contact you. Your application will be sent back unprocessed if we are unable to reach you or we are unable to receive appropriate information in a timely manner.
2. The ISCD will send you an email with your eligibility number, Prometric contact information and directions to set up your appointment.
3. You must contact Prometric to setup your exam date and time once you receive your eligibility number from ISCD.

Where and When can I take the Prometric CCD™® Exam?

• The CCD™® exam is administered at Prometric testing sites. Prometric™ is a wholly-owned, independently operated subsidiary of Education Testing Service (ETS). Prometric™ provides computer based testing sites in more than 3000 locations across the globe allowing the greatest access possible to take the ISCD CCD™® examination. To find a location in your area click HERE.
• The CCD™® Exam is offered during Bi-Monthly testing windows and:
• is offered on weekdays and weekends
• is offered up to 3 times per day.
• ISCD Exam Testing windows

How do I cancel my scheduled exam or transfer to the next available testing window ?

A transfer request form must be completed and returned to ISCD with payment information, to transfer from one test window to the next available testing window. Prometric must be contacted within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment. To cancel your exam a letter must be provided to ISCD prior to your scheduled exam. The letter must include a cancellation reason and a copy of your cancellation confirmation letter from Prometric.

ISCD Exam Cancellation and Transfer Policy:

• The Last ISCD Business Day Prior to test window - Cancellation fee is $75.00. The exam Transfer fee is $25.00
• After the Start of test window - Cancellation fee is $150.00. The exam Transfer fee is $100.00
• After the scheduled exam date or close of testing window - No Refund. The exam Transfer fee is $150.00

How do I study for the Prometric CCD™® Exam?

• Please refer to the Certification Examination Information Sheet
• Suggested reference material 1 can be purchased from many online book providers.
• Suggested reference material 2 & 3 can be purchased from the "BoneYard"
• You may also take the Clinician Certification Exam Practice Test

ISCD Reference Materials

1) Bonnick, Sydney Lou Bone Densitometry in Clinical Practice: Application and Interpretation Second Edition by Sydney Lou Bonnick ISBN-10: 1588292754 ISBN-13:9781588292759
Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York, LLC - January 2004

2) ISCD Clinician Course Syllabus and Associated Reading Materials, Versions 7.1 – 8.1.2,
The International Society for Clinical Densitometry, 2007.

3) 2007 International Society for Clinical Densitometry Position Statements,
International Society for Clinical Densitometry

What if I do not pass the Prometric CCD™® exam?

You can register to re-take the exam during any scheduled test window. To re-exam please complete the re-exam application. This application may ONLY be used if you are applying for re-examination because you did NOT pass the examination and you are applying to sit for the exam within one year from the original failed exam date.

An individual may also re-exam during any scheduled ISCD International Course. Remote Testing is also available.

How many times can I sit for the Prometric CCD™® exam?

A candidate may sit for the exam up to three times within one year from the original failed exam date. Thereafter, if they are still unsuccessful in passing the exam, the candidate must show documentation of an additional 12 hours of CME credits in the field of bone densitometry, osteoporosis or metabolic bone disease.

How does Remote Testing Work?
(Not Available for those who practice in the US)

The ISCD believes that no candidate should be denied success in becoming certified because of access difficulties or language. To accommodate such difficulties, ISCD allows a candidate to apply to have the ISCD Certification Exam proctored at a remote testing site, approved by ISCD (university, hospital, Sylvan or Kaplan Learning Center). The ISCD is working to develop translations of ISCD certification exams in major world languages. During the translation development period, provision will be made to accommodate international candidates who require testing in languages other than English. A candidate may have the option of taking the exam with a non-physician/non-technologist translator present. This option may be available in special circumstances to accommodate specific testing needs.

How to Apply for Remote Testing?

The candidate must apply to the ISCD for this option and bear all expenses associated with such testing, including the cost of a personal translator. The candidate will be required to submit to the ISCD details of the potential proctoring facility by application and, if approved, the exam will be forwarded to the proctoring facility directly by the ISCD. The exam, on completion, must be returned directly to ISCD by the proctoring facility for marking. Such requests must be made by written application to the ISCD by the candidate, and all costs of such provisions must be borne by the candidate. To request more information about remote testing, please complete our Information Request Form.

How to become Re-certified?

ISCD Certification lends assurance to patients, state regulatory agencies and third party payors that an individual has achieved a certain level of competence. By using limited-term certifications, ISCD assures that the certification holders have met the ISCD competency criteria and continue to keep their skills up-to- date. Continuing education is an integral part of the emphasis on education and is an essential tool for technologists and clinicians in delivering quality care. This assures the public and the medical community that certificants continue to provide quality professional care.

To maintain your certification using continuing education credits please complete the ISCD CCD™® international recertification application. You must provide documentation of 35 hours of CME credit (clinicians/technologists) in the field of bone densitometry, osteoporosis, or metabolic bone disease from a minimum of two separate activities. Credit hours must be earned by attending formal educational programs, lectures, or seminars in the fields of bone densitometry, osteoporosis, or metabolic bone disease, and must include at least two different programs or activities. Please review the ISCD recertification application for detailed information regarding international recertification guidelines.

ISCD has several resources available to earn the CME/CE requirement in the field of bone densitometry, osteoporosis or metabolic bone disease.

You can maintain your certification by taking the exam immediately following the course at each international course location. Attendance at the course is not required to take the exam. Remote Testing is also available.

Page Last Updated: 05/16/2012

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