Diagnostic medical sonographers are highly trained individuals that use specialized equipment to produce images of the inside of the body. They are an important part of the healthcare team, and the images they produce for referring physicians are used to prevent, detect, and treat disease, as well as monitor the health and growth of a fetus.
Sonography, along with the rest of the healthcare field, is growing rapidly. Graduates of an accredited ultrasound tech program in Kentucky will have the opportunity to pursue an entry-level position at a hospital or clinic. Admittance to a program is competitive, the training period is rigorous, but the career is rewarding.
How to Become a Sonographer in Kentucky
- Choose an Accredited Ultrasound Program. There are many important factors to consider when selecting a program to apply to, and accreditation should be at the top of the list. Kentucky has five CAAHEP accredited schools that offer Associate, Bachelor’s, and Certificate programs.
- Get Your Degree. An Associate of Science degree in diagnostic medical sonography is the minimum amount of education required to become an ultrasound tech in Kentucky. Some schools offer Certificate programs for those that meet the prerequisites.
- Pass the Certification Exam. Kentucky does not currently require certification in order to practice sonography, but it’s almost certain that a prospective employer will. Graduating from a CAAHEP accredited program will qualify you to sit for the exam offered by the ARDMS.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
Why Choose a CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Program?
When a school becomes accredited, it means that they have been able to pass a series of guidelines and program reviews from an independent agency. The most widely recognized accrediting body for sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). A school can be accredited by the CAAHEP once it has met their DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines. This ensures that the school can provide a high quality education to their students as they prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.
The successful completion of an accredited ultrasound program in Kentucky is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both of their exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Kentucky in 2026
The following Kentucky schools have been accredited by CAAHEP and offer degrees or certificates in diagnostic medical sonography as of May 2025:
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Location:
164 Opportunity Way
Lexington, KY 40511
Programs Offered: Associate of Applied Science, Cardiac or Vascular sonography track
Prerequisites: Admissions is selective and based on cumulative points assigned to test scores and previous education, among others.
How to Apply: Start your application here.
Hazard Community and Technical College
Location:
One Community College Drive
Hazard, KY 41701
Programs Offered: Associate of Applied Science, General or Vascular sonography track
Prerequisites: Point-based system based on GPA and ACT scores, among others
How to Apply: Start your application here.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Location:
600 College Street
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Programs Offered: Associate of Applied Science, ObGyn or Abdominal-Extended sonography track
Prerequisites: Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better, attendance at a required pre-admission conference
How to Apply: Request information to get started.
MedQuest College
Location:
1575 Winchester Road
Suite 110
Lexington, KY 40505
Programs Offered: Associate of Applied Science in Adult Cardiac or Vascular Sonography
Prerequisites: Certain college-level prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application.
How to Apply: Complete the form to get started.
Morehead State University
Location:
316 West 2nd Street
CHER 210H
Morehead, KY 40351
Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Prerequisites: Admission to Morehead, plus certain prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
How to Apply: DMS application package due by April 1st.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Location:
4810 Alben Barkley Drive
Paducah, KY 42001
Programs Offered: AAS in medical sonography, General or Vascular specialty track
Prerequisites: ACT and GPA requirements for required pre-coursework.
How to Apply: Applications due by March 1st.
Advice From the Experts
Dr. Dawson (MD, RDMS, RDCS) the Director of Emergency Ultrasound at the University of Kentucky and Director of Ultrasound for Mesa Medical Group, and Dr. Mallin (MD, RDCS, RDMS, ASCeXAM) the Director of Emergency Ultrasound and the Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship at the University of Utah, founders and co-hosts of the Ultrasound Podcast.
“Most of our listeners are clinicians, physician assistants, medical students, residents, ultrasound techs…Most of the information we cover is clinically oriented so I think anyone using or considering using ultrasound to take better care of their patients could gain something from our podcast…. and maybe teach us a thing or two (which actually happens a good bit).”
Kentucky Student Scholarships and Awards
Financing an education is typically one of the biggest concerns for students and their families. There’s a lot to learn, and the information found in our Financial Aid Portal can help. Below are just a few of the available scholarships for students who qualify in Kentucky:
Ultrasound Schools Info
Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in/accepted to a CAAHEP accredited DMS program.
How to Apply:
Ultrasound Schools InfoAttn: Scholarship Committee
PO Box 3026, Bellingham, WA 98227
scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com
Kentucky Tuition Grant
Award: Up to $2,960
Eligibility: Demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in a full-time associate’s or bachelor’s program at a participating institution.
How to Apply:
Complete the FAFSA.
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship
Award: Varies
Eligibility: Must have at least a 2.5 GPA each year at a participating Kentucky high school. The higher your GPA, ACT, or SAT scores, the higher your award amount.
How to Apply:
Contact your financial aid office.
The Alan D. Waggoner Sonographer Student Scholarship Award
Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Students attending a CAAHEP accredited program with an interest in echocardiography and leadership.
How to Apply:
American Society of EchocardiographyThe Society for Cardiovascular Ultrasound Professionals
2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 450
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 861-5574
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Kentucky?
Sonographers in Kentucky made a mean annual salary of $74,610 in 2023. Conditions in your area may vary.
The salary you earn can depend on a number of factors, including level of education and experience and type of employer. An Associate of Science Degree in DMS is required to become an entry level sonographer, however earning a Bachelor’s Degree can open you up to higher paying job positions.
Geographic location can also affect your salary as a sonographer. The table below provides the mean salaries in some metropolitan areas of Kentucky (BLS, 2023):
| Metropolitan Area | 2023 Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | $76,470 |
| Owensboro, KY | $69,450 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $74,380 |
| South Central Kentucky | $70,500 |
Certification Requirements in Kentucky
Kentucky does not require their diagnostic medical sonographers to carry a specific license or credential. Most employers, however, will require you to have your credentials. The most widely accepted certification is provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn ARDMS certification is by taking and passing their exam. In order to qualify, you must meet their prerequisites. Once you have, you can take the exam at one of the two testing locations in Kentucky:
- 9400 Bunsen Pkwy #220, Louisville, KY 40220
- 2720 Old Rosebud Rd, Lexington, KY 40509
Additional Certification Information
Certification overview
About the ARDMS
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Louisville
Louisville has outperformed the rest of the country in terms of job growth and income over the last decade, and the healthcare industry has strongly influenced that growth. The greater Louisville business and education community has recently developed a program called Degrees at Work, which aims to increase the number of working adults who possess a college degree. The program aims to ease the transition back to school by providing resources around college knowledge, affordability, logistics, and ongoing support.
Be part of this educated community by attending a program that trains you to become a qualified healthcare provider in sonography or a related allied healthcare field.
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