Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about our POCUS courses and training programs.
Access to the online mandatory precourse materials will be sent to participants approximately 4 weeks prior to the course/workshop. The pre-course is a critical component for being successful at the course. It is suggested to schedule a minimum of 10 hours for it. It is a mandatory requirement to be completed prior to arrival on the first day. If not completed, we reserve the right to cancel your attendance, you will not be successful at the course/workshop, and refunds will not be issued for unsuccessful participants.
Complete all your pre-course work, it is crucial for your success in the course! Wear comfortable shoes and casual clothes at the course/workshop. It can often be warm in the venue, so we suggest dressing in layers. In addition, please ensure you bring your laptop or iPad fully charged, as these devices are required to complete the written and visual examinations. We also strongly recommend bringing your chargers to avoid any interruptions during the course.
IP certification validates clinical competence, creating opportunities for bedside assessment, medical education, research, and professional networking. Depending on the jurisdiction, it may also support ultrasound-related billing privileges.
In addition to the Pre-course materials, it is recommended that you fully read and review the CPoCUS curriculum as well as review the positive images that are available once you have logged in and activated your membership. You will be tested on the CPoCUS curriculum for your written, practical, and visual exams. Additional test preparation and image resources can be found on our resources page.
At SonoRAY, we understand that plans can change unexpectedly. Our cancellation policy is designed to balance the needs of our participants with the operational commitments required to deliver our courses. Each course requires a minimum number of registrations to proceed, and significant logistics — including venue, standardized patients, instructors, and equipment — are confirmed well in advance. This policy applies to all cancellations, including those due to illness, COVID-19 infection, travel issues, or other unforeseen circumstances. Participant Cancellations Refund eligibility is determined by the date your written cancellation notice is received, relative to the course start date: • More than 3 months (90 days) prior to the course start date: Full refund of the registration fee. • 3 months (90 days) or less prior to the course start date: No refund, credit, or transfer will be available. These terms comply with Québec’s Consumer Protection Act, ensuring clear and equitable notice of refund conditions while recognizing the non-recoverable costs SonoRAY incurs once course logistics are confirmed.
The Independent Practitioner (IP) examinations are administered through the Canadian Point of Care Ultrasound Society (CPoCUS), which is also responsible for issuing your certification. Before attending the course, please: 1. Purchase an active CPoCUS membership for $25. 2. Confirm that you can log in to your CPoCUS account. 3. Bring your login details, as you will need them to access the IP examination. Once you have completed the certification requirements, CPoCUS will charge an additional $100 certification fee to issue your certificate.
The Canadian Point of Care Ultrasound Society (cPoCUS) offers Independent Practitioner (IP) certification to ensure safe, effective ultrasound use. SonoRAY provides accredited training in Acute Care, Family Medicine, and Resuscitation tracks to support this certification. The certification process involves completing an accredited SonoRAY course featuring hands-on scanning, followed by performing the required number of supervised determinate scans to build clinical competency. Candidates must then pass written, visual, and practical examinations before an instructor submits the final application to cPoCUS for certificate issuance.
Depending on your profession, province or territory, practice setting, and applicable billing regulations, cPoCUS certification may provide access to certain ultrasound-related billing privileges once you are practising independently. Eligibility, documentation requirements, and available billing codes vary by jurisdiction and payer. Certification does not automatically guarantee billing privileges; practitioners should review the applicable billing requirements within their region and scope of practice.
Water and juice will always be available, and lunch is provided each day of the course. Our meals are halal and we do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions (please let us know in advance).
You are welcome to bring your own food if you prefer; however, we do not have storage space for bags or reheating facilities.
SonoRAY does not provide on-site parking or cover any parking-related expenses. Participants are responsible for arranging their own parking accommodations. We recommend reviewing the course location in advance and exploring nearby parking options or public transportation routes to ensure a smooth arrival on the day of your session.
Full Course has everything you need for IP certification: online precourse material, scans, written and visual exams. Scan Only is for people who have already attended the course before but need to complete scans and exams for IP certification. Those registered for this option do not attend on the first day of the workshop. There is a $500 discount for this option as well. If it has been more than 1 year since the course has been completed, we recommend doing the Full Course.
At SonoRAY, we provide complimentary shared lodging for participants. Availability is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are encouraged to register early to secure accommodation.
Learn more here: https://sonoray.ca/accommodations and here.
Learning to acquire ultrasound images is only one part of becoming competent in point-of-care ultrasound. Effective PoCUS practice also requires an understanding of clinical indications, image interpretation, technical limitations, potential pitfalls, and the appropriate integration of findings into patient care. The cPoCUS certification pathway provides a structured framework through formal education, supervised scanning, and standardized assessments, supporting learners as they progress toward independent practice. Once cPoCUS confirms your application and issues your Independent Practitioner (IP) certification, it can support your clinical practice throughout medical school, residency, and independent practice; create opportunities in research, quality improvement, and undergraduate or postgraduate medical education; and strengthen your professional portfolio through continued learning, teaching, mentorship, networking, and advanced PoCUS training.
The course requires full attendance throughout the weekend: Friday: 3:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. Saturday: 7:15 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Sunday: 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Please avoid scheduling your departure before 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Although we will try to prioritize examinations for participants with earlier flights, we cannot guarantee an early completion time.
Your receipt would be emailed to you directly within 4 weeks post-course. If you require any additional documentation, please inform us during the course and we can attempt to accommodate.
Join fellow participants and instructors for an evening of networking, conversation, and connection. A social dinner will be held on the evening of Day 3 for participants who register in advance, and the cost of dinner is included with registration. Please note that the dinner is subject to a minimum number of registrations. If the event is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, all related fees will be fully refunded.
1. General Principles: This Cancellation & Withdrawal Policy applies to all educational programs, courses, workshops, and events offered by SonoRAY Inc. ("SonoRAY"). SonoRAY Inc. incurs significant non-recoverable costs well in advance of each course, including venue rental, standardized patients, instructors, equipment, insurance, accreditation, and administrative planning. Accordingly, registration constitutes a binding service contract under applicable Canadian federal law and Québec's Consumer Protection Act (CPA). This policy applies to all cancellations, regardless of reason, including but not limited to illness, COVID-19 infection, personal emergencies, travel disruptions, work conflicts, or other unforeseen circumstances. 2. Deposit & Payment Terms: A deposit is required to secure a participant's place in a SonoRAY Inc. course. Payment of the deposit constitutes firm and irrevocable confirmation of participation. Once the deposit is paid, the participant waives any right of cancellation or withdrawal, as permitted for service contracts involving a specific date, limited capacity, and advance logistical commitments. The remaining balance of the course fee remains fully payable in accordance with the payment schedule communicated at the time of registration. 3. Participant Cancellations: Cancellation After Deposit Is Paid. No cancellations are permitted once the deposit has been paid. If a participant cancels after paying the deposit, the deposit is strictly non-refundable, and the full remaining balance of the course fee becomes immediately due and payable, even if the participant does not attend the course. No refunds, credits, transfers, deferrals, or substitutions will be granted under any circumstances. 4. Non-Attendance: Failure to attend the course, in whole or in part, does not relieve the participant of their financial obligations. No refunds or credits will be issued for late arrival, early departure, or partial attendance. Course Cancellation by SonoRAY Inc. In the unlikely event that SonoRAY Inc. cancels a course (e.g., insufficient enrollment, instructor unavailability, or force majeure): Participants will receive a full refund of all amounts paid, including the deposit, or May apply the full amount paid toward a future equivalent SonoRAY Inc. course. SonoRAY Inc. is not responsible for any indirect or ancillary costs incurred by participants, including travel, accommodation, or lost income. 5. Legal Compliance: This policy is drafted in accordance with Québec's Consumer Protection Act (R.S.Q., c. P-40.1), and Applicable Canadian federal contract law principles. By registering and submitting payment, participants acknowledge that they have read, understood, and accepted this Cancellation & Withdrawal Policy and agree to be legally bound by its terms. For questions regarding this policy or registration matters, please contact: sonoray101@gmail.com