Ultrasound Technician Schools in North Carolina

Medical imaging is a rapidly growing field within healthcare. It’s a popular career choice for many due to the opportunity to earn a high salary, the availability of jobs, and the relatively short educational and training period. Entrance to accredited sonography programs is limited, and earning a spot is a competitive process.

Build a Solid Foundation

Diagnostic medical sonographers, also known as ultrasound technicians, use special equipment to take images of the inside of the body. They work closely alongside physicians to use the captured images to detect, diagnose, and treat disease, as well as monitor the health and growth of a fetus. 

A strong background in math and science will help prepare you to apply for one of the openings in an accredited sonography program in N. Carolina. Many programs have specific college-level course requirements prior to application, and in many cases these requirements can be met while still in high school or at a local community college.

Available positions for sonographers in North Carolina is expected to increase by 20% by 2028 (O*Net).

Continue reading and you will learn more about how to become a sonographer in NC, how much you might earn, and what the certification requirements are.

Connect with Educational Programs near You

CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Programs

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the primary accrediting body for sonography programs. A school becomes accredited once it has met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit. This confirms that the school is able to provide high quality education to their students so they’re prepared to enter the healthcare workforce.

The successful completion of a recognized North Carolina DMS program is the most comprehensive and direct way students can qualify for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both of these 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 semi-annual $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.

Accredited Sonography Schools in North Carolina in 2023

The following schools have received accreditation from CAAHEP and offer certificates or degrees in diagnostic medical sonography as of July 2021:

9 Accredited Schools	Campus Location
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College	Asheville, NC
Caldwell Community College	Hudson, NC
Cape Fear Community College	Wilmington, NC
Forsyth Technical Community College	Winston-Salem, NC
Johnston Community College	Smithfield, NC
Pitt Community College	Greenville, NC
South College Asheville	Asheville, NC
South Piedmont Community College	Monroe, NC
Southwestern Community College – Sylva	Sylva, NC

A Closer look at North Carolina’s Nine Accredited Sonography Training Programs

All tuition figures quoted are for in-state tuition, as stated on the schools’ websites. To determine if you qualify for in-state tuition, visit NC Residency Determination Service.

Certification Requirements in North Carolina

North Carolina doesn’t currently require licensure or certification for practicing diagnostic medical sonographers. However, as many employers do prefer or require certification, it’s a smart thing to consider if you want an advantage over other potential job candidates.

The most highly regarded certification is provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to receive certification is by taking and passing their exam. You must meet their prerequisites in order to qualify. Once you have, you can take the exam at one of several testing locations in North Carolina:

• 1 Town Square Blvd # 350, Asheville, NC 28803
• 4601 Charlotte Park Dr # 340, Charlotte, NC 28217
• 7520 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28227
• 514 S Stratford Rd #100, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
• 2520 Meridian Pkwy, Durham, NC 27713
• 8024 Glenwood Ave # 107, Raleigh, NC 27612
• 2801 Blue Ridge Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
• 1130 Situs Ct Suite 150, Raleigh, NC 27606
• 1105 Corporate Dr # B, Greenville, NC 27858
• 2709 Market St # 206, Wilmington, NC 28403

Besides graduating from a CAAHEP accredited school, the second easiest way to qualify for the ARDMS exam is 12 months of full-time clinical experience. Request information from several ultrasound technician schools in North Carolina to ensure that they meet the certification requirements you’re looking for. You may even want to talk to prospective employers about the certification and educational requirements they have.

Additional Certification Information

Certification Overview
About the ARDMS

Ultrasound Programs in Nearby States

• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Tennessee

How Much Does an Ultrasound Tech Make in North Carolina?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for sonographers is $70,960 as of 2020. Additionally, sonographers in the top 90th percentile made an average salary of $92,690 a year, while those working within the bottom 10th percentile earned up to $54,010. Conditions in your area may vary.

How much you can earn depends on a variety of factors, including the type of employer you work for and level of education. General and surgical hospitals employ the most sonographers, but outpatient care centers tend to pay the best. In addition, an Associate’s Degree is required for entry level sonography positions, while a Bachelor’s Degree can qualify you for higher paying positions.

Geographic location can also determine how much you earn. The table below displays the mean annual salary for different areas of North Carolina:*

Metropolitan Area	2020 Mean Salary
Winston-Salem	$75,430
Greensboro-High Point	$74,230
Durham-Chapel Hill	$73,070
Fayetteville, NC	$66,090
Raleigh, NC	$69,670

Top Healthcare Employers in North Carolina

7 healthcare employers in North Carolina were among the top 150 best places to work in healthcare in 2019, according to a study released by Becker’s Hospital Review. The list highlights employers who provide employment benefits and opportunities for professional growth beyond what standard healthcare providers offer. Those recognized as providing exceptional career growth and opportunity in N.C. are listed below:

• Atrium Healthcare (Charlotte, N.C.)
• New Hanover Regional Medical Center (Wilmington, N.C.)
• Novant Health, Winston (Salem, N.C.)
• Pinehurst Medical Clinic (across the state)
• UNC Medical Center (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
• Ensemble Health Parthers (Huntersville, N.C.)
• Lenovo (Morrisville, N.C.)

In addition, UNC Medical Center was ranked the #1 healthcare employer on Forbes’ Best Employers Ranking list in 2019. UNC offers a comprehensive internship program in ultrasound, which includes training on Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS). Interns have the opportunity to perform over 100 scans during their first year, which is great practice for a future career.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Sonographers in NC

Residents of North Carolina have the opportunity to apply for medical imaging scholarships to help them with the cost of their tuition and fees.

Most colleges and universities offer scholarships, so be sure and check with the program you’re planning on attending to see what’s available for those who qualify. Please contact each individual scholarship for their specific application requirements.

A few North Carolina scholarships are listed below:

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility Requirements	How to Apply
Ultrasound Schools Info	$1,000	Semi-annual nonrenewable scholarship awarded to a student attending or accepted to a CAAHEP accredited sonography program.	Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98225 scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com
Anne Jones Scholarship Fund	4 annual scholarships totaling $5,500	Must be enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited program.	Society for Vascular Ultrasound c/o Anne Jones Scholarship Program 4601 Presidents Drive, Suite 260 Lanham, MD 20706-4831 tedwards@svunet.org
SDMS Foundation Sonography Student Scholarship Program	$2,500	Must be accepted to or currently enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited DMS or cardiovascular educational program.	Contact the SDMS Foundation at +1-214-473-8057 or scholarship@sdmsfoundation.org
Answer Scholarship	Varies	Variety of scholarships available to mothers wanting to return to school in NC.	6420 Rea Rd, Suite 112 Charlotte, NC 2827 info@answerscholarship.org
Oliver Joel and Ellen Pell Denny Healthcare Scholarship	Up to $1,500	Open to NC residents seeking a degree in healthcare.	751 West Fourth Street, Suite 200 Winston-Salem, NC  27101 StudentAid@wsfoundation.org

For further information regarding scholarships, financial aid, and student loans, visit our Sonography Financial Aid center.

DMS Associations and Organizations in N. Carolina

Enrolling in a society or organization within your field can be very beneficial. Networking, staying current on changing technology, continuing medical education opportunites, and remaining competitive in the workplace are a few reasons why you may want to join. Most of the organizations are non-profit, though some have annual membership dues.  Below are a few worth considering:

• North Carolina Ultrasound Society
• The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• North Carolina Healthcare Association
• Find more…

Keep Exploring other States and Cities

Other resources:

• Getting started
• Sonographer overview
• Degrees
• What makes a great sonographer
• Careers & education
• Other jobs in healthcare