Ultrasound technicians are usually certified by an organization called the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. Basically, if you pass the ARDMS exam, you’re certified. However it’s not really quite that simple. There a prerequisites for even taking the exam. The ARDMS certification is a good goal to shoot for. People with this certification have a better shot at the choice jobs, usually, than those uncertified, but you need to know how to get to this level with a thorough but direct route. Getting certified will enhance your career experience if you’re considering work as an ultrasound technician or sonographer. Let’s go over the steps that you need to take to get your ultrasound technician certification.
First, you need to get, or make sure you have, a high school diploma. This is a prerequisite for enrollment in virtually all educational programs in the allied health fields. It’s also a prerequisite for getting into almost any college program, regardless of length or the degree you’re going for. Most people realize this, but it might as well be stated here since it is the first step.
Another word about high school: Courses in math, biology, anatomy, health, and so on are helpful as background but they are not usually actually required.
Secondly, and by far the most important, you must enroll in either an Associates or Bachelor’s degree program in ultrasound, or that includes it as a sub discipline, and complete it. This is required for the ARDMS exam. You can’t just get a study guide and do it yourself. You need to have completed a college degree program at one of these levels. These programs are offered at all kinds of reputable community colleges, state universities, private colleges, and even online. So finding one shouldn’t be a big problem. If you can’t afford it, consider financial aid. The process of selecting an ultrasound specialty will occur as you select a program to enroll in and/or during your completion of the basic curriculum.
Your best bet is to enroll in an accredited degree program. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAHEEP) is the body mainly responsible for accreditation, or at least the most widely accepted accreditation. On their website, given below, you can search by state to find accredited schools in your area.
There are other reasons than the fact that accredited programs tend to be more thorough to use these institutions. Usually they include the internship or externship (basically the hands on, real world experience) that is a part of the ARDMS requirement for taking the examination. Non accredited schools may give you the degree without this, and then leave it up to you to try to get work in the field – and you need to show a year’s worth of experience. That can be a bit tough seeing as you don’t have much experience to start with. If this works for you, fine, but accredited schools take care of the whole thing and when you leave with your degree you can be sure you’re ready for the test.
Next comes the registration application. ARDMS registers ultrasound technicians when it certifies them. So the entire process is considered an application for registration. Part of this process is showing your experience via a clinical experience letter. This will take the form of a letter from a program director of an accredited program, or the supervising doctor or ultrasound technician in the case of an unaccredited one, showing that you’ve completed the intern or externship. Also, as you might expect, you have to include proof of completion of an Associates or Bachelors program – i.e. your college transcripts. Finally, there is a clinical verification form that must be completed showing among other things the area of ultrasound you wish to specialize in.
After completing all this, you’re ready to take the test. There are a few different certifications that the ARDMS offers. They include:
Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
Registered Opthalmic Ultrasound Biometrist (ROUB)
The first examination, RDMS, is a common one to take since it gives certification in general ultrasound, but it will depend on what you’ve decided to specialize in during your college experience.
It should be noted that the ARDMS certification is not the only ultrasound technician certification available. Certifications given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) are also well regarded and accepted in the industry. Check their website, given below, for the requirements. In addition there may be others offered by specific schools so inquire and see what you find.
That’s it! Once you’ve passed the exam you’re a qualified, certified, credentialed ultrasound technician, ready to get your resumes out and find work in the field.