Certification FAQs

Can Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants become certified?
Yes, by taking the Clinician exam.

What is a CCD®?
Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD®) is a professional designation awarded to individuals who meet specified knowledge requirements measured through a standardized testing process for the interpretation of bone densitometry (offered in the U.S. and internationally).

What is a CDT®?
Certified Densitometry Technologist (CDT®) is a professional designation awarded to individuals who meet specified knowledge requirements measured through a standardized testing process in bone densitometry for performing central DXAs (offered internationally).

How can I become a CCD®?
Clinicians must pass the ISCD Clinician Certification Exam to become certified as a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD®). The exam is closed-book and consists of 75 multiple-choice questions.

Where Can I take the CCD® Exam?
The Clinician Certification Exam is offered at each Bone Densitometry Course location.  Taking the course is optional.  Remote testing is also available.

How do I become a CDT®?
The CDT® Exam is offered outside of the United States at each Bone Densitometry Course location.  Technologists Internationally (outside of the US) must pass the ISCD CDT® Exam.  Upon passing the exam, technologists are required to submit and pass DXA scans to become certified as a Certified Densitometry Technologist (CDT®).

SCAN SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Click for a list of documents that will answer many commonly asked questions about the scan submission portion of the Technologist certification process.

What is a CBDT™?
Certified Bone Densitometry Technologist (CBDT™) is a professional certification in the field of bone densitometry for technologists who perform densitometry scans. The CBDT™ credential signifies that an individual has passed an examination that has been designed to meet stringent standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) an accrediting body for certification (offered only in the U.S.).

What is NCCA?
The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) was created in 1987 by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) to help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs/organizations that assess professional competence. Certification programs that receive NCCA Accreditation demonstrate compliance with the NCCA’s Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs, which were the first standards for professional certification programs developed by the industry.

Who can take the CBDT™ exam?
Any technologist in the US who performs bone densitometry scans and meets the eligibility requirements as specified in the CBDT™ Handbook

How do I register for the CBDT™ exam?
You can print a handbook with application for CBDT™ examination.  Submit the completed application together with the required documentation and appropriate fee to: Certification Administrator, ISCD, 342 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT  06117-2507.

How is the CBDT™ exam administered?
The CBDT™ examination will be offered four times a year, each with a four week testing window.  It will be administered at Prometric™ centers throughout the US.

Who is Prometric™?
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 CBDT™ examination.

How do I find a Prometric™ center?
Information on how to register at a Prometric™ center will be included with your letter of acceptance to sit for the CBDT™ examination.

How long is the CBDT™ exam?
Candidates will have three hours to complete the examination with 15 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of wrap-up after the exam, making the total test period three and one-half hours. The ISCD CBDT™ examination has 125 multiple choice questions based on 5 Content Outline domains. Additional information regarding the content and administration of the exam is available in the CBDT™ Handbook.

What if I do not pass the CBDT™ exam? 
You can register to re-take the exam at another scheduled test window.

How many times can I sit for the CBDT™ exam?
You can sit for the exam three times before additional education is required.

How long is the CBDT™ certification valid?
The CBDT™ certification is valid for three (3) years.  Your recertification period will be begin the first January after the year in which the CBDT™ designation is awarded. The certificant will have until January 1, three (3) years later to complete the recertification requirements.

How will I maintain my CBDT™ certification? You can submit a completed recertification application together with the required documentation and appropriate fee or retake the CBDT™ exam. (For detailed guidelines, visit the “Recertification” section)

Can I purchase course material to study with?
The ISCD Course Syllabus for Clinicians and Technologists as well as other reference materials are available for purchase in the BoneYard.  The Content Outline and References used for the Clinician and Technologist certification examination are listed in the respective Information Sheets.

Where can I find more information on the CBDT™ certification?
The CBDT™ Handbook provides information on the credential, the process, procedure and recertification.

Is my current CDT® certificate valid?
Your CDT® certificate will remain valid until its expiration date.  You may choose to recertify by application prior to your certification expiration date, or you can apply to sit for the advanced CBDT™ exam.

Can I retake the CDT® exam?
The CDT® exam will no longer be offered in the US. (International candidates can sit for the examinations administered by their Local Organizing Committee (LOC)).

What will happen to my CDT® credentials if I do not upgrade my certification?
Your CDT® credentials will stay the same unless you choose to sit for, and pass, the advanced CBDT™ exam.

Can I maintain both CDT® and CBDT™ credentials?
No.  Your CDT® credentials will be replaced once you are awarded the professional CBDT™ designation.

Do CDT®s have to take the CBDT™ exam to obtain the CBDT™ credentials?
Yes.  The only way to receive the CBDT™ credential is to take and pass the CBDT™ certification examination.

How will I recertify as a CDT®?
You will be able to recertify as a CDT® by submitting a completed recertification application, together with the required documentation and appropriate fee, prior to your certification expiration date.

Can I still perform DXA scans as a CDT®?
This depends on the regulations of the state you live in.  Information regarding eligibility requirements can be obtained from the state Licensure or Radiologic departments under the Department of Health in each state.

How do I upgrade my certification?
At any time, you can register to sit for the advanced CBDT™ exam during one of the four scheduled examination windows.

IS ISCD Remote Testing Available?
Remote testing is available to Clinicians in the U.S. and internationally as well as to Technologist internationally.  It is not available to technologists in the U.S.