Ultrasound Technician Certification

Ultrasound technician certification can help you launch a career in sonography and specialize in areas that include fetal echocardiography, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatric sonography. Learn about the organizations that credential ultrasound technicians, the education and training you need, and the steps to becoming a certified ultrasound technician.

Becoming a certified ultrasound technician generally requires formal education with special training. Depending on your prior experience and academic goals, schools offer several pathways into the field, from one-year programs to a bachelor’s degree. The timeline below outlines the most common steps to becoming a certified medical sonographer.

Ultrasound technicians should understand the difference between licensure and certification. A license provides legal permission to practice in a certain profession by state. In contrast, certification is a credential issued by a private organization or agency that demonstrates competency in a specific career area and is usually voluntary.

Most ultrasound technicians in the U.S. can find work with professional certifications alone. Only four states currently mandate licensure for medical sonographers: New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon.

Sonographers must renew their permanent license every two years.

To apply for licensure, ultrasound technicians must meet certain requirements, including completing a board-approved sonography course, current certification from a board-approved agency, and a satisfactory criminal background check. Students beginning clinical experience requirements can apply for a temporary license.

Sonographers must renew their permanent license every two years. This process requires an additional application, proof of continued certification, and payment of nonrefundable fees.

Sonography certification can boost an ultrasound technician’s career, as employers often prefer certified technicians. Certification ensures that the sonographer maintains up-to-date knowledge, which can increase job opportunities and enable specialization.

The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography® is a leading provider of certifications for ultrasound technicians. ARDMS® also provides volunteering and networking opportunities for ultrasound professionals.

The RDMS certification is a generalized credential that certifies a sonographer has general knowledge of diagnostic medical sonography and can provide services safely. Ultrasound professionals desiring to work in various specialty areas may pursue this certification.

This credential certifies that ultrasound professionals can safely and effectively provide sonography diagnostic services, focusing on examining the heart.

This credential focuses on safe diagnostic sonography of the vascular system, such as the veins and blood vessels. Technologists specializing in the circulatory system can benefit from this certification.

The RMSKS certification demonstrates that a sonographer is knowledgeable in providing effective and safe diagnostic ultrasound services for the muscular and skeletal systems.

The sonography principles and instrumentation (SPI) exam is the cornerstone requirement for the various ARDMS® certifications available to ultrasound technicians. Professionals specializing in a specialty area, such as pediatrics, cardiac care, or obstetrics, must pass this exam. Candidates generally take the SPI exam in conjunction with a specialization exam.

Maintaining certification ensures that a sonographer stays current on the most recent information. Sonographers must complete several steps each year to maintain ARDMS® certification.

Every ARDMS® certified individual must pay an annual fee. For those with the RPVI and RMSK certifications, the renewal fee is $150; for the RDMS, RDCS, RVT, and RMSKS, the renewal fee is $95. In addition to paying the fee, certified sonographers must also attest that they have followed all ARDMS® rules and policies and are in good standing with the ARDMS®.

Every three years, certified sonographers must complete 30 CME credits. A portion of those 30 CME credits must be in an area related to the sonographer’s specialization, such as musculoskeletal or vascular ultrasound. You can find CME providers approved by the ARDMS® in their directory.

In addition to the ARDMS®, the ARRT® is a leading provider of sonography certifications. Some certifications offered include sonography, vascular sonography, and breast sonography. The ARRT® offers these certifications through two pathways: primary and post-primary.

Applicants must be of good moral character and follow the ARRT® ethical guidelines. This includes not having any honor code violations or instances of other certifications or licenses being revoked for disciplinary reasons. Individuals are also required to report any felony or misdemeanor convictions. However, juvenile convictions and traffic violations that do not involve drugs and alcohol do not need to be reported.

The sonography certification exam is computer-based, comprises 400 questions, and lasts 7.5 hours. The exam ensures that the candidate possesses the minimum knowledge to complete the job duties for a typical entry-level position.

Major topics covered on the exam include scientific principles of ultrasound technology and specific ultrasound procedures for certain types of patients.

Like other ultrasound technician certifications, ARRT® certification-holders must maintain their credentials over time. This usually consists of following ARRT® ethics, paying an annual fee, and completing continuing education requirements.

A certification-holder must remain in good standing with the ARRT®. This means certified professionals must comply with all relevant ARRT® Rules and Regulations and the ARRT® Standards of Ethics.

Registered technologists must renew their certification and registration annually. Each year, the renewal deadline occurs on the last day of a candidate’s birth month. To qualify for renewal, professionals must pay a fee and be current in their continuing education requirements.

Certification-holders must complete at least 24 continuing education credits every two years. Alternatively, the holder may meet all 24 credit requirements by passing an additional ARRT® approved certification exam. Visit the ARRT® website for more information about meeting the continuing education requirements.

ARRT®’s CQR is a process to identify knowledge gaps that affect certification-holders’ qualifications for their positions. ARRT® notifies sonographers through their online accounts when their compliance windows open. They have three years to complete their CQR. Knowledge gaps are identified through a Structured Self-Assessment taken online or at a test center, from which ARRT® prescribes any needed continuing education.

Becoming a successful medical diagnostic sonographer requires advanced knowledge and skill. Candidates acquire much of the necessary training through ultrasound education programs and certification preparation. However, additional requirements may apply to legally practice as a medical sonographer or complete certain job tasks.

Some ultrasound technicians pursue other certifications to broaden their employment options. In addition to ARRT® and ARDMS® certifications, several other optional certifications can improve a sonographer’s professional advancement chances.

Ultrasound technicians in this specialty often possess a high degree of independence. They provide preliminary information about a patient’s vascular system to the corresponding surgeon, cardiologist, or radiologist.

Basic life support (BLS) certification requires a brief training regimen that teaches resuscitation to someone whose heart or breathing has stopped. The primary component of BLS certification is learning CPR.

The EMT certification builds on the BLS certification, providing additional training in life-saving skills. This certification can help sonographers improve their hiring profile. It demonstrates a greater capacity to handle emergencies in certain settings, such as a trauma center or an outpatient clinic.