How to Become ISCD Certified

Certification is the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by existing best practices and standards in the field of credentialing. Successful programs build on a foundation of core competencies identified and updated periodically by practitioners in the field. Volunteers at all experience levels and topic specialties legitimize the program through their participation at each stage of the process.

Certification FAQs

Why should I be certified?

For the certificant:
Certification reflects a personal commitment, accountability and dedication to a high standard of care for patients, peers and the community at large. It establishes:

Standardized practice within an industry

Increased cooperation between organizations in the same discipline

A means to enforce an ethical code and industry self-regulation

Credibility to the certificant, recognition by a third party, as well as personal accomplishment.

For the employers:

Increases competence level of employees

Used in making employment decisions

Provides professional development opportunities for employees

Ongoing enhancement of knowledge and skills

Increased confidence in employees abilities

For the public:

Helps in identifying qualified service providers

Increases confidence in service providers

ISCD certification does not replace any state or federal government licensing requirement.

ISCD Certification Registry
Over 1,000 individuals are certified by ISCD each year. Find ISCD certified individuals in our searchable, online Certification Registry .

ISCD Certification
ISCD's certification process assesses Clinicians (Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Fellows and PhDs) and Technologists (RTs and other allied health care providers) on their knowledge to properly run a bone densitometry center and interpret bone density scans. The ISCD offers three certifications:

            CBDT™ Certified Bone Densitometry Technologist
            CCD® Certified Clinical Densitometrist
            CDT® Certified Densitometry Technologist

ISCD Certification Definitions
CBDT™ Technologist: 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 certification industry standards and best practices in the United States. CBDT™ has been developed in response to state regulatory agencies and third party payors wanting certification programs to be accredited before they will accept certification programs as meeting their requirements. Application is being made for accreditation of this program. This is a three year (3) certification.

The CBDT™ is offered only in the US and Canada. It is computer-based and offered four times per year at locations throughout the North America. Please refer to the CBDT Candidate Handbook for more detailed information regarding examination procedures and an application for registration. Suggested reading material can be purchased from the BoneYard

CCD® Clinicians: 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). This is a five year (5) certification.

CDT® Technologists: 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). This is a five year (5) certification.

ISCD Certification Exams
To become certified, it is necessary to pass the Certification Exam.

CBDT™ Examination: The CBDT™ is offered only in the US and Canada. It is computer-based and offered several times per year at locations throughout the North America. Please refer to the CBDT Candidate Handbook for more detailed information regarding examination procedures and an application for registration. Suggested reading material can be purchased from the "BoneYard".

CCD® Examination: The Clinician Certification Exam is offered immediately following the course at each course location and is paper and pencil. Remote testing is also available. Attendance at the course is not required to take the exam. The following information is offered to help in applying for the examination.

CDT® Examination: The CDT® Technologist exam is only offered internationally immediately following the course at each course location and is paper and pencil. Attendance at the course is not required to take the exam. Remote Testing is also available. The following information is offered to help in applying for the examination.

ISCD Certification Body of Knowledge
The ISCD body of knowledge covers the principles and concepts of bone density testing, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. The Content Outline and References used for the technologist and clinician certification examinations are listed in the Information Sheet for Technologists , the Information Sheet for Clinicians and the CBDT™ Candidate Handbook.

ISCD Certification Policies and Procedures

Course registration is available through this Web site or by contacting ISCD.

Page Last Updated: 06/09/2009