Examination Date

The CSOT written examination is offered annually in October. The fee for the written exam is $200.00

The written exam is conducted between August 31 and October 31st. All eligible members have been notified via mail.

Only FULL members can sit the registry examinations.

A rewrite exam will take place between January 1 and February 5 each year and the fee is $200.00

Sample Examinations (to assist you with your preparation) are available by CLICKING HERE

Oral and practical exams

Held each spring upon successful completion of the written examination. The fee for the oral and practical exams is $350.00.

Membership for 2013 must be paid.

 

If you are a Registered Orthopaedic Technologist and interested in being a monitor for the oral and practical exams, please contact the CSOT office.

 

What you need to know

To be eligible for the CSOT examinations candidates must meet the following requirements

  • be a full member of the CSOT in good standing, ie. working a minimum of 850 hours per year
  • complete and file the application form and full payment of the required fee. Applications received after the deadline must include a late fee of $50.00
  • enclose a recent photograph with your application. Applications will be returned if not included
  • We only accept certified cheques or money orders. No debit/credit cards or personal cheques are accepted

The certification exam involves three phases. The written portion is held annually in October of each year and is comprised of approximately 147 questions and 17 diagrams and fill in the blanks. Two hours is allowed for this exam. The written exam must be completed before you may proceed to the oral and practical exam.

Content Areas
Fractures, Dislocations and Complications - 25% or 37 questions
Anatomy and Physiology - 19% or 28 questions
Muscles and Nerves - 19% or 29 questions
Diseases, Syndromes and Infections - 17% or 25 questions
Terminology - 11% or 17 questions
Splinting and Casting - 10% or 15 questions
Legalities - 6% or 9 questions
Traction - 8% or 12 questions

Diagrams account for 60% of the total mark

A rewrite exam for the written portion may be taken in February of the following year for those who fail the October exam. Two hours is allowed. The exam is comprised of 112 questions and 16 diagrams and fill in the blanks.

Candidates receiving a passing grade proceed to the final phases of the exams consisting of oral questions and practical demonstrations. This final phase is held in the spring following the written exam in Toronto, Eastern and Western Canada in a selected hospital fracture department.

Things you should know:

  • Be able to match terminology with the appropriate definition, ie., Abduction, Eversion, Varus, Pronation, anatomy, cell, anabolism, etc.
  • How to choose a Thomas splint
  • Match the sensory function with nerve location, ie., Peroneal nerve, median nerve, etc.
  • Match the fractures, ie., pathologic fracture, Bennett's fracture, etc.
  • Know the healing stages
  • Know the bones of the hand, foot, etc.
  • Be able to identify fractures on a diagram, ie., transverse, greenstick, etc.
  • Know the terms used to describe motion of the hand
  • Know the skeletal system
  • Know the heart, ie., right ventricle, inferior vena cava, endocardium, etc.
  • Know where the pressure points to avoid tight wrapping - See Zimmer handbook for the diagram
  • Know about compartment syndrome, avascular necrosis, functions of muscles, gamekeepers thumb, monteggia fracture, pilon fracture,
  • Know about traction
  • If possible, "buddy up" with a Registered Technologist in your area; seek their help and pick their brains.

Content outline of the written exam

  • Anatomy and physiology including muscles,(function, location, basic knowledge of the heart) bones, (name, types, location, basic structure, normal growth, joints, function) nerves, (function, location) cartilage, ligaments, tendons (function, location)
  • Orthopaedic conditions: Fractures (types, complications, healing); Dislocations; Disorders (congenital, pathological, developmental, traumatic); Infections; Inflammations.
  • Treatment of orthopaedic conditions: Casting (purpose, materials, types, application procedures, complications, instructions, support and immobilization devices); Traction (purpose, types, methods, procedures, complications, equipment); Surgical Intervention (purpose, sterile techniques, major procedures, minor procedures, instruments, postoperative care).

Oral and Practical Examination

The candidate will appear before three examiners. This portion of the exam has a maximum of 30 minute duration. X ray interpretation is included. We recommend that you read Practical Fracture Treatment 5th edition, Clinical Orthopaedic Examination or Pocketbook of Orthopaedics and Fractures all written by Ronald McRae. There are excellent resources for Xray interpretation on line.

Practical - Candidates must be fully aware that a knowledge of casting and application of casts (upper and lower extremity - p.o.p. and fibreglass) is a pre-requisite to the completion of the registration examination. Any candidate who does not or rarely applies a cast must be fully aware of the consequences this will have on the outcome of their mark (score) in this category. Included also is the removal of casts. Please note that plaster of paris and fibreglass casting material will be used

Traction - this portion requires knowledge of specific tractions and their application

NERVE TESTING FOR SENSORY FUNCTION IS A COMPULSORY PORTION OF THIS EXAM.

Splinting - knowledge is required for its application to the patient, ie., velpeau, figure of 8, tensor, knee immobiliser, airplane splint, humeral brace, crutch and cane fitting and crutch walking. Please note: You must apply a Figure of 8, Velpeau Sling, tensor and be able to teach cane/crutch fitting and crutch walking. If you state to the monitor that you don't apply these at your place of employment, you will automatically fail this portion. If your co-worker cannot help you, you should find another Registered Orthopaedic Technologist that can help you.

The candidate is required to demonstrate proficiency in each of the following

  • the use and maintenance of tools and equipment used in orthopaedic techniques
  • application of orthopaedic dressings and bandages
  • application of various types of casts - p.o.p and fibreglass
  • setting up and maintenance of traction
  • knowledge of principles of asepsis
  • fitting crutches and canes and instructions of walking

General Guideline outlining expectations of candidate

  • Treatment of fractures, dislocations and soft tissue injuries including Shoulder, Wrist, Upper and Lower Arm, Hand
  • Fractures and dislocation of the spine including Cervical supports, body jacket, minerva jacket, spinal deformity, scoliosis cast
  • Fractures and dislocations of Hip and Pelvis including hip spica single and double, CDH cast, abduction cast, commercial splints
  • Fractures and dislocations of Lower Extremity including, hip spica, cylinder cast, long leg cast, long leg supports, short leg, patella tendon bearing cast, forefoot cast, jones bandage, long and short splints, strapping and taping, paediatric casts
  • Cast and Splint Therapy
  • Special Casting Procedures
  • Traction and Suspension, Upper Extremity, Cervical Spine, Lumbar Spine, Pelvis, Lower Extremity, Beds and Frames, aseptic technique, miscellaneous 

Since the equipment used at the examining Hospital may be different than what you are accustomed to, it is recommended that you bring your own scissors and spreader. You may also bring your own casting material.

A candidate has three opportunities to pass the registry examinations. Failure to complete the process after three attempts will require the candidate to wait for a period of two years before being allowed to sit the exam again.

A failure of any component of the oral or practical portion requires the candidate to be re examined on the failed portion at a later date.

Upon successful completion of the examinations a diploma and registry pin with the registry number engraved on the back will be issued. Letters are sent to the Chief of Service and Human Resources informing them of the accomplishment.

If annual dues are not paid, the Registry of the technologist is no longer valid. Hospital Administrators will be advised. When membership has been allowed to lapse for 12 months or more, the applicant for reinstatement will be asked to appear before an examining team at the next examining board and will be required to rewrite the exam.

Applicants residing outside of Canada and her territories will not be accepted as candidates for the registry examinations.

2013 Oral and Practical Exams
Congratulations to...

Ashley Alexander
Norman Bowles
Serge Dignard
Ghislain Doiron
Joelle Hewlett
Laura MacMillan
Monica Posavec
Sandra Rigby
Matthew Tancock

2012 Oral and Practical Exams
Congratulations to...

Laura Cardona
Shannon Hahn
Shari Hazeldine
Yana Kalcheva
Cheryl Leisle
Amir Minoo
Dona Sochan

2011 Oral and Practical Exams

Congratulations to...

Joe Alberga
Oleg Bagrin
Denis Escobar
Jennifer Graves
Christopher Hudlin
Melisa Janse van Rensburg
Gholam Khalili
Dustin Livingstone
Owen Picton
Shiraz Qureshi
Michelle Smith
Linda Vernaleken
Veronika Ward
Krista Rogers (Wisener)

 

2010 Oral and Practical Exams

Congratulations to...

Tami Aberdeen
Daniel Andersen
Bob Boudot
Cynthia Brown
Skyler Cartledge
Lana DeBeer
Tammy Dollimount
Cathy Gaudon
Nancy Johal
Rachelle Keating
Stephanie Koch
Stephen Page
Tera Tsangaris


2009 Oral and Practical Exams

Congratulations to...

Wendy Atkinson
Silas Costa
Brad DeWagner
Susan Davis
Bruno Doucet
Helen Fehr
Steve Hutchinson
Lyle Johnson
Melanie Lund
Brenda Manley
Jason Morelos
Pam Nadon
Archie Olfato
Kristinn Peterson-Brazeau
Christopher Thompson
Michelle Vilayphanh
Susan Watson
Richard Wong


2008 Oral and Practical Exams

Congratulations to...


Valentino Arboleda
Nerius Babiera
Stacyann Baker
Boris Bissky
Desmond Brown
Mary Jane Buchner
Shannon Delano
Darrell Derksen
Dalphine Edwards
Wendy Fast
Igor Fluerar
Barb Letourneau
Rogerio Mantero
Edmund Muyot
Lynne Pizzale
Shanti Shivpaul
Catherine Skrabec
Michael Wong 
John Yarnell

on the successful completion of the Registry Examinations.

2010 and 2011 Winners
Congratulations to Tammy White of Newfoundland (192/215) winner of the 2010 Guy Chartrand Award for the Highest Overall Mark on the exams and to Linda Vernaleken of Alberta (182/215) winner of the 2011 Guy Chartrand Award.

To Melisa Janse van Rensburg of Alberta winner of the 2010 Ronald Wallace Award for the highest mark on the written exam - 85/100 and to Yana Kalcheva of Manitoba winner of the 2011 Award - 85/100.

To Linda Vernaleken of Alberta winner of the newly implemented Mardy McPolin Award for the highest mark on the oral and practical portion only 101/115.

Congratulations also to Cathy Gaudon for her suggested criteria for the Mardy McPolin Award.

BSN Award - Awarded yearly for the best articles submitted for publication in BodyCast.
Congratulations to Val Stockdale of Alberta winner of $500 for 2010 and to Brad DeWagner of Ontario 1st prize of $500 for 2011 and to Margo Yeske of Alberta 2nd prize of $250 for 2011.

3M Award - Given for the best presentation by a Registered or Full Member of the CSOT.
Congratulations to Brian Fandrick of Alberta who received a first prize of $500 and to John Yarnell of Ontario who received the 2nd prize of $300.00

2008 and 2009 Winners
Congratulations to Barb Letourneau of Alberta (186/215) winner of the 2008 Guy Chartrand Award for the Highest Overall Mark on the exams and to Steve Hutchinson of B.C. (194/215) winner of the 200 Guy Chartrand Award.

To Steve Hutchinson of B.C. winner of the 2008 Ronald Wallace Award for the highest mark on the written exam - 83 1/2 out of 100 and to Tammy Dollimount of Newfoundland winner of the 2009 Award - 85%.

2006 and 2007 Winners

Congratulations to Tanis Malkoske of Winnipeg (191/215) winner of the 2006 Guy Chartrand Award for the Highest Overall Mark on the exams and to Stan Szumlak of Winnipeg (188/215) winner of the 2007 Guy Chartrand Award.

To Stan Szumlak of Winnipeg winner of the 2006 Ronald Wallace Award for the highest mark on the written exam - 84% and toIgor Fluerar of Winnipeg and Catherine Skrabec of Ontario winners of the 2007 Award - 88%.

2004 and 2005 Winners

Congratulations to Fiona Fitzpatrick of Ontario (186/215) winner of the 2004 Guy Chartrand Award for the Highest Overall Mark on the exams and to Alex Tarambikos of Quebec (185/215) winner of the 2005 Guy Chartrand Award.

To Jennifer Gomez of Ontario winner of the 2004 Ronald Wallace Award for the highest mark on the written exam - 86% and toShannon MacIntosh of Ontario winner of the 2005 Award - 88%.