Registration process for the NTQA program

Registration with PSO at BORN Ontario will allow you, as a sonographer or physician, to perform nuchal translucency (NT) measurements for Multiple Marker Screening tests, such as enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS). It will also allow you compare your NT measurement performance against international standards and obtain support to improve or maintain the quality of your scanning.

Complete the following steps to register:

Step 1 - Register with the Fetal Medicine Foundation

Register with the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF UK) and get a certificate of competence in nuchal translucency scanning. This certificate requires you to complete the FMF UK online 11 ̶ 13 weeks scan course and to send three images to the FMF UK that demonstrate proper NT measurement protocol. The FMF UK will email you a certificate and an ID number once you have completed these requirements. You can also access the certificate on their website.

You can go to the next step when you have your FMF UK NT certificate of competence and FMF UK ID number.

Tips for this step:

How to register with the FMF UK and/or log in to your FMF UK personal profile page.
How to earn and/or access your FMF UK NT certificate of competence (skip to step 8 if you only want to know how to access your certificate).
Review the FMF UK 11-13 weeks scan course, including how to obtain high-quality NT images.
View a video by London Pregnancy Clinic describing the correct technique of an NT scan.

Step 2: Register with PSO at BORN Ontario

NT Sonographer Registration Form

*Please note that we will not share your contact information without your consent.

You will receive an email confirmation after you submit the registration form. There will be a link to an application within this email with instructions on how to obtain NT measurement accreditation with the Ontario MMS labs.

Step 3 - Record 15 NT/CRL data points on the application form

Scan NT patients and collect 15 nuchal translucency (NT) and 15 crown-rump length (CRL) measurements to complete the NT data table found on the application form. Take these measurements over the CRL range as specified by the data table.

Ask for help from an Ontario registered sonographer

You must get these measurements yourself; however, do not record these measurements on the pregnant individual's Multiple Marker Screening (MMS) requisition. You will need to ask for help from an Ontario NT certified sonographer. Only Ontario NT certified sonographers are able to record NT and CRL measurements on the pregnant individuals' Multiple Marker Screening requisitions and send them to the labs.

Step 4 - Email application form and FMF UK NT certificate of competence to one of the three Ontario MMS labs

Email the following documents to the lab that you selected on your PSO/BORN registration form:

Your accreditation application form which your 15 NT and CRL measurements.
Your FMF UK NT certificate of competence (see step 1).

The email addresses for all of the Ontario MMS labs are at the bottom of the accreditation application form.

Please do not email this form to multiple labs (acceptance by one lab equals acceptance by all labs) or to Prenatal Screening Ontario.

Step 5 - The Ontario MMS lab reviews your application and inform you of their decision

The Ontario MMS labs will review your application and assess your data point submission. Please allow up to four weeks for the labs to process your application and review your data points.

If your 15 data points generate an acceptable NT performance distribution, your application is accepted and your name is added to the roster of Ontario NT registered sonographers. The Ontario MMS lab will provide you with an Ontario NT ID number (usually the same as your FMF UK ID number) and a BORN login and password. You will get two emails to the address indicated on your “new sonographer” registration form. One will contain your BORN login and the other will contain your BORN password. Please check your junk mail folder.

If your 15 data points are not acceptable, the Ontario MMS lab will request another set of 15 data points and/or will provide you with further direction on how to proceed.

Congratulations! You are now registered in Ontario's NTQA program and you can submit NT and CRL measurements on Multiple Marker Screening requisitions under your own Ontario NT ID number. You are also now able to log in to the BIS. Take a peek frequently at your personalized NT performance distribution to see how you do!

Instruction for logging in as a new BIS user

What else should I know as a registered sonographer?