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CBGC Certification Examination — Information & Free Practice

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About CBGC Certification Examination

CBGC Certification Examination · CA

Key exam facts

Provider
Canadian Board of Genetic Counselling (CBGC), certification/examination authority; Yardstick Inc., computer-based hosting and proctoring provider.
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination, available in English and French on one platform; the 2027 examination is online and remotely proctored.
Time limit
Three hours of examination time, with no scheduled break; extra time is not granted for switching languages.
Passing score
Set for each examination using a modified Angoff method, with post-examination psychometric review; passing scores typically range from 70% to 75%, not a guaranteed fixed cut score.
Exam fee
Official fees are labelled with '$' without an explicit currency code on the fee page. Pathways A/C/D: $155 application + $725 administration/examination = $880 total ($830 early bird). Pathway B: $315 + $725 = $1040 ($990 early bird). Re-write or recertification by examination: $725 ($675 early bird). Writing after a deferral: $105 ($80 early bird). Early bird: October 1–31; full fees from November 1. Fees subject to change.

Topics covered

  • Unit 1: Epidemiology, Population, and Basic Human Genetics

    • Understand, define and give examples of basic genetic concepts. Examples include but are not limited to heterogeneity, phenocopy, genocopy and pseudogene.
    • Understand basic cellular biology concepts. Examples include but not limited to transcription, translation, mitosis, meiosis and gametogenesis.
    • Understand the principles of Mendel's laws and recognize the different patterns of single - gene inheritance.
    • Understand non-Mendelian modes of inheritance. Examples include but are not limited to genomic imprinting, uniparental disomy and mitochondrial inheritance.
    • Understand and apply concepts of complex inheritance. Examples include but are not limited to multifactorial inheritance, heritability, epigenetics, and threshold models.
    • Understand the concepts regarding genetic changes. Examples include but are not limited to somatic vs germline mutation, mutation vs. polymorphism, new mutation rate and copy number variants.
    • Understand population genetics concepts. Examples include but are not limited to heterozygote advantage, genetic drift, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and founder effect.
    • Understand the association between fitness and natural selection and identify factors which increase or decrease fitness in an individual or a population.
    • Understand clinical research study designs. Be able to critically evaluate research based on factors such as: study limitations, bias, sample size and statistical analysis.
    • Understand basic statistical concepts. Examples include but are not limited to detection rate, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value.

  • Unit 2: Clinical Genetics

    • Understand the etiology, clinical features, testing and management of well-defined genetic conditions.
    • Understand the clinical features, testing and management of medical conditions that may have either genetic or non-genetic etiology. Examples include but are not limited to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
    • Calculate risk using various techniques and sources of information. Examples include but are not limited to pedigree analysis (Mendelian risk), Bayesian analysis, empiric risk, and laboratory results.
    • Understand consanguinity, how to calculate coefficients of inbreeding and assess genetic risk.
    • Understand the common causes of, and appropriate investigations for recurrent pregnancy loss.
    • Understand dysmorphology concepts. Examples include but are not limited to isolated birth defects, syndromes and sequences/associations.

  • Unit 3: Molecular Genetics

    • Understand mechanisms that lead to mutations, the different types of mutations and genetic changes and how these contribute to human variability and disease.
    • Understand techniques used to define and describe genes. Examples include but are not limited to family studies, genome wide association studies and comparative genomic hybridization.
    • Understand clinical molecular testing techniques including indications for, limitations of and the types of mutation they identify. Examples include, but are not limited to sequencing, panels, whole exome sequencing, MLPA, and linkage analysis.
    • Understand the presentation, frequency, inheritance pattern, molecular defect, diagnostic techniques and management of molecular disorders.
    • Understand the classification and interpretation of molecular variants.

  • Unit 4: Cytogenetics

    • Understand cytogenetic techniques, including indications for, limitations of each technique and the type of chromosome abnormality they identify.
    • Understand mechanisms that lead to numerical and structural chromosome abnormalities.
    • Be familiar with recognized chromosome variants of no phenotypic consequence, such as 1qh+, and the implications for genetic counselling.
    • Understand the presentation, frequency, cytogenetic defect, diagnostic techniques, and management of cytogenetic disorders. Examples include but are not limited to aneuploidy, translocations, chromosome breakage syndromes and microdeletion/microduplication syndromes.
    • Be familiar with standard cytogenetic nomenclature.

  • Unit 5: Biochemical Genetics

    • Understand the components of a metabolic pathway and the different possible effects on a pathway when an enzyme is impaired or non-functional.
    • Understand common terms associated with biochemistry. Examples include but are not limited to oxidation, catabolism, metabolism and phosphorylation.
    • Understand biochemical testing including indications for, limitations of and the types of conditions they identify. Examples include but not limited to enzyme assays and plasma/urine amino acids.
    • Understand the presentation, frequency, inheritance pattern, biochemical defect, and management of metabolic disorders.

  • Unit 6: Cancer Genetics

    • Understand the basic principles and theories of cancer genetics and oncogenesis.
    • Understand and interpret the influence of family history and other risk factors on cancer susceptibility.
    • Recognize family history features and clinical features associated with an inherited susceptibility to cancer and appropriateness for genetic testing.
    • Understand the presentation, frequency, inheritance pattern, genetic testing and management of cancer predisposition syndromes.
    • Understand and be able to address the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing for cancer susceptibility.

  • Unit 7: Genetic Screening

    • Understand the different types of screening programs, their target population and methodologies. Examples include but not limited to newborn screening, prenatal screening and population screening.
    • Understand the criteria used to select conditions and establish screening programs.
    • Understand the statistical measures of a screening test. Examples include but are not limited to validity, reliability, sensitivity and specificity.
    • Understand the risks, limitation and benefits of screening programs including potential ethical and legal concerns.

  • Unit 8: Prenatal Diagnosis

    • Understand the indications, advantages, limitations and risks associated with prenatal diagnostic procedures.
    • Understand available prenatal screening options, including their sensitivity, specificity, limitations, false positive rates, positive predictive value and how to interpret the results.
    • Understand the indications, advantages, limitations, risks and accuracy of prenatal imaging including but not limited to ultrasound, fetal MRI and fetal echocardiography.
    • Understand the risks associated with single or multiple ultrasound soft markers and the appropriate follow up for each.
    • Understand the differential diagnosis and etiology of ultrasound abnormalities and the appropriate diagnostic testing options.
    • Understand the different methods used for termination of pregnancy and the risks, benefits, psychosocial implications and legal issues of each.
    • Understand prenatal risk factors. Examples include but are not limited to parental age, teratogens, and maternal health and the appropriate counselling and investigations for exposed pregnancies.
    • Be familiar with various assisted reproductive technologies and be aware of the benefits, risks and limitations of each.
    • Understand the general concepts of embryonic development and define the developmental stages of embryogenesis.
    • Understand the mechanisms of dysmorphism. Examples include but are not limited to malformations, deformations and disruptions.

  • Unit 9: Prenatal Diagnosis

    • Understand and apply the principles of medical ethics to the practice of genetic counselling. Examples include but are not limited to autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice and paternalism.
    • Understand and apply principles of client -centered counselling and understand the essential components of communication.
    • Understand and apply genetic counselling strategies. Examples include but are not limited to contracting, shared decision-making and self-disclosure.
    • Understand common psychotherapy terms and principles. Examples include but are not limited to defense mechanisms, transference and coping mechanisms.
    • Obtain and interpret appropriate medical, social and family histories.
    • Understand the grieving process including the stages of grieving and the features of unhealthy grief. Understand bereavement issues as they pertain to genetic counselling.
    • Demonstrate an awareness of diverse cultures, values and beliefs and the potential barriers to genetic counselling services.
    • Understand the legal and ethical issues pertinent to genetic counselling and testing. Examples include but are not limited to practice guidelines, incidental findings, genetic discrimination and privacy of health information.

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Computer-based multiple-choice examination, available in English and French on one platform; the 2027 examination is online and remotely proctored.

How long is the exam?

Three hours of examination time, with no scheduled break; extra time is not granted for switching languages.

What is the passing score?

Set for each examination using a modified Angoff method, with post-examination psychometric review; passing scores typically range from 70% to 75%, not a guaranteed fixed cut score.

How much does the exam cost?

Official fees are labelled with '$' without an explicit currency code on the fee page. Pathways A/C/D: $155 application + $725 administration/examination = $880 total ($830 early bird). Pathway B: $315 + $725 = $1040 ($990 early bird). Re-write or recertification by examination: $725 ($675 early bird). Writing after a deferral: $105 ($80 early bird). Early bird: October 1–31; full fees from November 1. Fees subject to change.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.