Deadline for Application: May 9, 2019

Examination Date: September 9, 2019

Introduction

Spirometry Certification is provided by the Canadian Association of Cardio-Pulmonary Technologists (CACPT).  This certification is based on the current ATS/ERS Standards for Spirometry and is intended to improve the quality of Spirometry testing not only for those preforming it in a hospital setting but in any other facility such as doctors’ offices, family health teams and research labs.  CACPT Certification in Spirometry Testing will help provide employers confidence that the individuals in their employment are skilled at providing quality Spirometry Testing.  This will in turn allow the Health Care Provider to provide quality care by accurately diagnosing, treating and managing the individual with respiratory disease.  Spirometry Certification will also provide Researchers who require statistical confidence in Spirometry testing data to prove or disprove their hypothesis.

The CACPT has contracted the professional testing services of CNRB and Yardstick to compile, administer, and score the Spirometry Certification Examination. 

Eligibility criteria:

• Must be an allied health professional, e.g.: RPN, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist, or approved by the CACPT Spirometry Committee.
• Must be employed in a facility where Spirometry testing is routinely performed.
• Must meet Spirometry Testing Experience guidelines

Spirometry Testing Experience:

• Completed a Spirometry course approved by CACPT with thirty-six (36) months.

Currently approved courses:

• RespTrec-Spirometry Course by the Lung Association of Saskatchewan.

Website: https://resptrec.org

Or

• Received at least three (3) months of on the job Spirometry Testing Training.  The qualified preceptor must be a physician or RRT or Registered with the CACPT- (RCPT(p)), or allied health professional who are currently active in Spirometry testing.

And

• Submit (10) Spirometry Examples performed by the applicant under the supervision of a qualified preceptor.  All examples and supporting data will be evaluated by the CACPT Spirometry Committee.  See Spirometry Examples Requirement Section below.

How To Apply

Step 1: Go to www.cacpt.ca and complete the application form.  Upon completion click submit.

Step 2:  Upon submission of the application form you will be directed to the “SHOP” page to pay the non-refundable $30.00 application fee.  You will receive an email receipt for the payment.

Step 3:  Someone from the Spirometry Committee will contact you to arrange submission of the 10 Spirometry examples and supporting data. 

The application will not be reviewed until all the above 3 steps are completed.

Spirometry Examples Requirement:

• All Spirometry Examples must be performed by the applicant under the supervision of the qualified preceptor.
• For privacy reasons, all patient identifiers such as Name, OHIP Card Number must be removed or blacked-out. Height, Weight, Gender and Ethnicity should be available.  Age is also necessary, if date of birth is provided at least the day must be blacked out.   
• Each Spirometry Example must be accompanied with all the raw data and spirometric tracings.
• Each Spirometry Example must provide status for acceptability and repeatability using the criteria based on the current ERS/ATS Spirometry Standards and Recommendations (2005).
• Each Spirometry Example must be interpreted using the criteria based on the current ERS/ATS Interpretative strategies for Lung Function Tests.
• (10) Spirometry Examples with supporting data must consist of a combination of (3) normal, (3) obstructive, (3) normal/obstructive with post bronchodilator Spirometry and one (1) restrictive case from the span of previous (6) months at the time of application.

Review of Applications

• Please allow approximately four weeks for notification of your application status.
• The applications are reviewed according to the CACPT eligibility requirements for Spirometry Certification including verifying your professional qualifications.
• Yardstick (exam administrators) will be collecting the $350.00 examination fee and send eligible candidates confirmation by email of examination eligibility, test centre information, and information about the examination approximately two weeks before the examination date.
• If you receive a letter of conditional eligibility, you must meet the conditions stated in the letter before the application deadline.
• Candidates who do not meet the eligibility requirements will be notified of the specific reason(s) in writing.

Withdrawing from the Certification Examination

If you decide to withdraw from the examination, please inform the CACPT by email

as soon as possible. The CACPT will send an acknowledgment of your withdrawal.

• Candidates who withdraw from the examination before paying the $350.00 can do so without penalty. 
• Candidates who withdraw after paying the $350.00 will be refunded the amount less $50.00
• Candidates who withdraw will have to reapply if they decide to challenge the exam at a later date

Differing the examination to another date

• Candidates who differ the examination before paying the $350.00 exam fee can do so without penalty. 
• An exam may only be postponed once, and only to the next scheduled exam administration date.
• Requests to differ the examination after paying the $350,00 exam fee will only be considered for medical issues and other exceptional circumstances.

Preparing for the Exam

• When candidate is approved and eligible to challenge the exam, he/she will be given the username and password to access the Exam Curriculum and Matrix on www.cacpt.ca.
• Candidate will study on their own from the curriculum provided.
• Resources used for the exam questions are provided as well. 

Day of the Examination

• The following information is required in order to be admitted into the examination:
• Photo identification card (e.g. driver’s license, health card or passport).
• Admissibility letter that includes your name, address, candidate number, the examination title and date of administration and the address of the test centre. Your admissibility letter and candidate number are valid for one test only and will be emailed to you prior to the examination date.
• The examination will take place on Monday, Sept 9th, 2019 Start times vary at the different centres. Please arrive 30 minutes prior for on-site registration before the session.
• Books, notes, calculators and other aids are NOT permitted in the examination room.
• At each test centre, a proctor/invigilator is responsible for the fair and secure administration of the examination. The proctor will provide instructions to candidates and answer questions relating to the administration of the examination (but not about examination content). It is the responsibility of the invigilator to protect the security of the examination.
• Candidates are not permitted to remove notes from the examination room.
• In addition to the proctor’s instructions, there is a short demonstration on how to use the software. It is recommended that you take the time to take the practice test prior to starting your exam.

After the Examination

• The examinations are computer-scored by Yardstick. You will receive one point for each correct answer. You receive no points for no or double answers.
• Approximately six weeks after you take the certification examination, you will receive your result by e-mail. Your result will be reported as pass or fail.
• Results will not be given over the telephone.
• If you successfully challenge the Spirometry Certification Examination the candidate may use the designation CPT(s) awarded by CACPT – Certified Pulmonary Technician in Spirometry and pay the membership dues of $75.00 per year.
• If you are not successful on the certification examination, you may retake the examination at the next administration.

Continuing Competency/Recertification 

• In order to continue to use the CPT(S) designation the member must continue to pay annual membership dues of $75.00 otherwise they will not be members in good standing.  (see policy ??). 
• The CPT(S) must recertify every 3-5 years to demonstrate continuing competency.  Successful candidates will be advised of details of the program.