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WHAT IS A REGISTERED DERMAL THERAPISTA registered dermal therapist is an expert in permanent hair removal (electrolysis), alternative methods of hair removal (laser) and skin treatments (telangiectasia/vascular blemishes). Since the initial inspiration, a few electrologists continued to meet with dedication to promote this program. The credential and title are registered under the aegis of C.O.P.E. National, the bylaws have been amended to accommodate the program and a logo was designed (R.D.T.) and registered. The R.D.T. Board has worked very hard to prepare this program and examination for all electrologists to write on-line, in the privacy of their own home or office. Successful completion of the R.D.T. exam will earn the use of the R.D.T. logo and the registered credential of R.D.T. (Registered Dermal Therapist). This is an ‘elite credential’ and regardless of your education and/or practical experience in this field, you will need to prepare yourself well to achieve a passing mark. All new things start with a vision, they are achieve where there is strength and unity in the group or profession. We are sure that as electrologists, your desire is to be recognized as a “Profession of the Highest Standards” and a “Registered Dermal Therapist”, not just a licensed service group. Our Mission Statement:The mission of the Registered Dermal Therapist Program is to maintain a professional governing body under the aegis of C.O.P.E National, to provide access to advanced education and training, to elevate and broaden electrologist’s knowledge, skill and scope of practice, to become competent specialists as Registered Dermal Therapists (R.D.T.). OUR OBJECTIVES ARE TO:
APPLICANTSAny electrologist regardless of prior training or association membership may apply as long as they have certification of adequate electrolysis, laser and vascular training. FOUNDING MEMBERS OF THE R.D.T. BOARD:Hazel Glusman, Phyllis Tourond, Thecla Fenton, Lorraine Janke, Brenda Castonguay, Cheryl Konno, Margaret Delaney, Judith Finn.
The RDT exam provides a reliable standard against which professionals, like your-self, can measure their knowledge, understanding, and abilities in the field of the Registered Dermal Therapy Program. This is an ‘elite credential’ and regardless of your education and/or practical experience in this field, you will need to prepare yourself well to pass it. The Study Guide is designed as source of study for students wishing to take the RDT credential exam on the COPE Web-Site. It is the hope of COPE National that this study guide and the actual exam will help professionals to gain a more thorough understanding of the full scope of their work as they review practical performance skills and related theory. You will increase your ability to evaluate new products and procedures and to be a better qualified professional in dealing with the needs of your clients. It should be noted that if insurance companies follow through with their current course of action, it will soon be a condition of insurance to have this credential to practice laser, vascular and other advanced procedures. Although you will have the study material for all questions in every subject area, preparation will be essential. Your exam will be in the form of 240 multiple choice questions selected randomly by the computer from a database of 2000 questions covering all aspects of the discipline. The examinee will have two (2) hours to complete the entire exam before the computer automatically shuts it down the exam. This exam is unsupervised ("open book "style). While there is nothing stopping the student from having resource material to assist them, we strongly advise them to not to think that that will make passing easier. The student will be far wiser to have studied extensively and be able to answer spontaneously. Time is of the essence and if the examinee tries to verify questions it will be impossible to complete the exam. If the examinee completes the entire exam before the two hours elapses they may go back to review doubtful answers. C.O.P.E. National’s R.D.T. exam is weighted to provide a guarantee that all subjects are covered to test the applicants knowledge from areas of great importance to those that are less important, providing an in depth coverage of electrolysis. This type of exam has been widely adopted and approved by the majority of Licensing Boards. Groups of questions have been arranged under major subject areas and the examinee will complete each area before moving to the next. No two exams will be the same. The exam is ‘open book’ which means there is no invigilator. Preparation is essential to successfully complete this exam. This exam will be a challenge and you will require a mark of 70% to pass.
Compiling this study guide and the RDT examination has been a formidable task, yet a fulfilling one. While accepting sole responsibility for any errors and/or omissions, we acknowledge the valuable inputs and support received from two of our C.O.P.E. colleagues and wish to credit the following for compiling the R.D.T. exam preparation guide and the R.D.T. exam: Phyllis Tourond, C.P.E., C.C.E. (International), C.M.E., R.D.T., C.O.P.E. Board Member and Web-Site Chairman. Owner: Swanson’s Canadian Institute of Electrolysis and A & E Electrolysis Supplies – Pincher Creek, Alberta. Phyllis has come to the task of preparing the RDT exam with some impressive credentials and experience in the field of electrolysis. An Electrologist and Electrologist educator for twenty eight years, Phyllis began her electrolysis career in 1980 after receiving her training under her mother the well known and esteemed, Evelyn Swanson, C.P.E. In 1984 Phyllis joined with Evelyn to teach at Swanson’s Canadian Institute of Electrolysis located in Abbottsford B.C. During the first few years with the training institution, Phyllis acquired her National and International certifications and recently, as one of the founding Board Members of C.O.P.E. National and the Registered Dermal Therapist Program (R.D.T.), has acquired the credential of R.D.T. Phyllis has constantly worked for higher educational standards, working with the latest knowledge and equipment. She has spent endless volunteer hours working for the B.C. associations, and was one of the founders of the Pacific Society of Professional Electrologists (P.S.P.E.) and the Canadian Organization of Professional Electrologists (C.O.P.E.). The development of this exam has required extraordinary dedication, along with countless hours taken from her business and daily routine. Her skills as an exceptional electrologist, natural arbitrator and teller of humorous stories have served her well in a highly competitive and political field. She stays connected with all her students and has networked and befriended valuable contacts in both Canada and the United States. She continues to operate her supply business from her home in the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains, outside Pincher Creek. She continues to dedicate herself to electrolysis with Swanson’s Canadian Institute of Electrolysis, A & E Electrolysis Supplies and C.O.P.E. National. She is always there for you. Thecla Fenton, C, P. E., C.C.E. (International), R.D.T., C.O.P.E. Board Member. Owner: Chrysalis Professional Electrolysis – Edmonton, Alberta. Earning her Registered Nursing Degree (R.N.) in Sydney, Australia and later obtaining a diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thecla was well qualified to continue her nursing career when she moved to Canada in 1967 where she continued her Nursing career in Calgary and Edmonton. She has worked in Emergency, Intensive Care and Labor and Delivery and later moved into nursing management, and with a large budget directed the Central Sterile Service and Supply Department plus other areas of management. In 1994 she retired from nursing and completed her electrolysis training in 1994, graduating from Swanson’s Canadian Institute of Electrolysis in Abbotsford, B.C. Thecla became a member of C.O.P.E. National and has been our main force in representing C.O.P.E. National with both Alberta Health and Canada Health, to implement “Infection Prevention and Control Procedures” for our profession. Thecla continues to be C.O.P.E. National’s Infection Control Consultant, is a Board Member for C.O.P.E. National and is a founding committee member of the Registered Dermal Therapists. Thecla has worked to raise awareness of professional and ethical issues in the electrolysis field. She has been instrumental in development of the COPE and RDT Mission Statements and Ethical Standards. Thecla initiated and lobbied for the COPE National exam. The development of this exam, requiring extraordinary dedication, has weighed heavily on her time and skills. Thecla has volunteered untold hours and resources to creating the format of the exam through talks with computer specialists, education professionals and Cope Board Members, whose support and contributions she has valued. Thecla, at age 68, plans to retire in the near future and is looking forward to doing "crafty" things, connecting with old friends, travel, working in her flower garden and renewing a healthy lifestyle all lost in a busy life. A truly exceptional woman, dedicated professional, mother, teacher, friend and colleague with the highest of standards. Between them, Phyllis and Thecla have 40 years of nursing experience and 38 years of electrolysis practice and electrolysis teaching experience. . Their objective was to have an exam that is a learning tool plus a proving ground for knowledge gained through diligent study and practical experience. They should be proud to have met their objective. Their dedication in completing the Study Guide and RDT exam is acknowledged with a sincere thank you from the C.O.P.E. National Board and its Membership.
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