Diagnostic medical sonographers are now regulated with the CMRTO. Under the new regulations, diagnostic medical sonographers must now be registered with the CMRTO in the specialty of diagnostic medical sonography in order to represent that they are qualified to practise the specialty of diagnostic medical sonography in Ontario. Effective January 1, 2019, a person must be a member of the CMRTO (or another regulatory college authorized under the regulation) in order to be legally authorized to apply soundwaves for diagnostic ultrasound in Ontario. These requirements apply to all areas of practice of diagnostic medical ultrasound: general, cardiac and vascular sonography. Information on the regulation of diagnostic medical sonographers, along with Frequently Asked Questions, can be found here.
The CMRTO is now able to issue certificates of registration in the specialty of diagnostic medical sonography to applicants who meet all the registration requirements as set out in the regulation. The registration regulation can be found here, and the regulation adding soundwaves as a form of energy to the scope of practice of the profession can be found here.
On or before December 31, 2018, sonographers may apply for registration with the CMRTO using one of two methods – either through the grandparenting provision or by successfully completing an approved educational program and an approved examination. After December 31, 2018, the grandparenting provision will no longer be available as a method of registration. The purpose of the grandparenting provision is to enable sonographers who received on-the-job training, or who completed an educational program which is not one of the approved educational programs, to become registered and authorized to work in the specialty in Ontario. Please note that in order to qualify for registration in the specialty of diagnostic medical sonography, the CMRTO must receive your application and application fee no later than 4:00 pm on December 31, 2018.
The application process is an on-line application process and can be accessed here. Applicants will want to review the ‘Application Guide for individuals applying to the CMRTO in the specialty of diagnostic medical sonography’, which sets out all the requirements for registration and the documents that must be uploaded to the application, and provides helpful information about the application and registration process.
Further information about the regulation of diagnostic medical sonographers in Ontario can be found on the CMRTO website here.
