Article Summary and Key Takeaways
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Diagnostic medical sonographers are typically required to have a credential in order to work in the field.
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Most of these credentials are provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
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Attending a program accredited by the CAAHEP will qualify you to sit for their certification exams.
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Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits are required in order to maintain your certification.
Getting Certified in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
A certification is a license or credential that you earn to show that you have the required knowledge and skills to perform a job. In ultrasound, the primary agency that awards certification is the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Most employers will require you to have your RDMS credential. If you receive your degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), you will most likely sit for the first RDMS exam during your final semester.
Certifications Available Through the ARDMS
The ARDMS offers ultrasound certification in the following areas within general sonography:
- Abdomen
- Breast
- Fetal Echocardiography
- Neurosonology Registrant
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (ObGyn)
- Pediatric Sonography
In addition, the RDMS provides registration exams for cardiac sonographers, vascular technologists, muskuloskeletal sonogaphers, and midwives.
Other Certification Providers
The ARDMS is not the only organization that offers certification. Diagnostic medical sonographers can also apply for certification through the American Registry for Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The prerequisites require to sit for an exam by the ARRT differ slightly from the ARDMS, possibly giving expanded eligibility. Completing an ultrasound program from an accredited school (recognized by the CHEA or USDE) within the last five years makes you eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam.
Determining which certification is best for you can depend on factors such as your school’s accreditation status, your specialty within the field, and your career goals.
“I would recommend taking your certification boards soon after graduation. The information is fresh in your mind, and you will become more marketable for jobs if you have those under your belt.
Get yourself out there in the job field. Even if you don’t get the perfect job to start, keep an open mind and be receptive to any opportunities that arise.” – Jessica Carlino, RDMS, RVT
Learn more about getting and maintaining your ultrasound credential
- Tips on passing the sonography principles and instrumentation (SPI) exam. This is the initial test offered by the RDMS and must be passed before taking the specialty exam.
- Taking multiple exams – Sonographer Samantha Callis, RDMS, RDCS, RVT, helps us understand why it’s important to take as many exams as you’re qualified for.
Certificate Testing Prerequisites
ARDMS: Applicants must meet one of the ARDMS prerequisites in order to receive a certificate. Prerequisite #1, for example, is the completion of a two-year allied health degree plus 12 months of clinical experience. Prerequisite #2 is completion of an ultrasound or diagnostic medical sonography degree from a school accredited by the CAAHEP or CMA. Visit the ARDMS website to see all prerequisites as well as other exam requirements.
ARRT: To be eligible to write the ARRT’s Sonography certification examination, candidates must meet the educational prerequisite of earning an Associates Degree or higher or completing an ARRT-recognized educational program. Candidates must also meet the ARRT’s Standards of Ethics. The ARRT’s post-primary certifications in Vascular Sonography and Breast Sonography each have their own specific clinical experience prerequisites.
CCI: CCI offers several relevant certification exams, each with their own prerequisites:
- Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)
- Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)
- Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) exams.
CAAHEP vs. Non-Accredited Sonography Programs
In an excerpt from her book “Diagnostic Medical Sonography – The Definitive Guide to Planning Your Career“, author and sonographer Samantha Callis explains how to obtain your certification. “If you attend a CAAHEP-accredited program, you may be able to take your physics exam (SPI Exam) prior to graduation. In a non-CAAHEP-accredited program, you may have to obtain one year of full time, paid working experience as a sonographer before you fulfill the prerequisite for specialty examinations.This doesn’t mean you can’t get your credential, but if you finish school and want to gain your professional experience in an area that requires an ARDMS credential to be hired, you can see how this becomes a bit tricky. Ask programs you are interested in how and when prerequisite requirements are met for enrolled students”.
Author Samantha Callis, MHA, ACS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT
Continuing Medical Education
In order to maintain your credentials, you must complet continuing medical education credits each year. There are numerous ways in which you can earn those credits, from taking part in webinars to workshops, conferences, and membership in professional organizations such as the Societey for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS). Below are the credit requirements from the ARDMS, ARRT, and CCI:
| Certification Body | Examples of Credentials Offered | CME Requirements |
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| ARDMS |
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In order to maintain credentials with the ARDMS, you generally need to complete 30 CME credits within a three-year period. |
| ARRT (The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) | Certifications in:
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Generally, to maintain certification with the ARRT, you need to complete 24 CME credits every two years. |
| CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) |
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Typically, those with “Registered” level credentials must complete 36 CME credits and those with “Certified” level credentials must complete 16 every three years. |
Note: Each accrediting organization must approve of the institute or agency from where you decide to complete your medical imaging, radiology, or ultrasound CME courses.
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