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Certification

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Certification Description
Take advantage of thorough, hands-on, and immediately relevant professional training with customized guidance from the top names in the field. Upon completion, you can apply your improved clinical skills immediately to enhance your patient care.

Certifying Organization
American College of Chest Physicians
http://www.chestnet.org/

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes

Certificate of Completion - Critical Care Ultrasonography Website

Certifying Organization
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
http://www.cci-online.org

Certification Details
● Either training or work experience required, but not both? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 3 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Cardiac Sonographer Website

Certifying Organization
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
http://www.cci-online.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 3 Years
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes

Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer Website

Certification Description
The RDMS credential raises the standard of diagnostic medical ultrasound practice worldwide and promotes best practices for enhanced patient safety. The RDMS credential is designed to certify competence in the field of diagnostic medical sonography. By earning the RDMS credential, healthcare professionals gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in ultrasound. Please consult the information below to learn how to become RDMS certified, the application and examination process, and how certification pertains to your career in medical diagnostic sonography. RDMS Credential Prerequisites To obtain the RDMS credential, you must meet the examination prerequisites and pass the physics and a corresponding specialty examination within five years: Physics Examination: • Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) Specialty examinations: • Abdomen (AB)* • Breast (BR)* • Fetal Echocardiography (FE)** • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)* • Pediatric Sonography (PS)**

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Website

Certification Description
The Adult Echocardiography (AE) examination tests basic adult echocardiography knowledge and skills essential to Sonography Professionals. To earn a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential with an AE specialty, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the AE examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer - Adult Echocardiography Website

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Either training or work experience required, but not both? No
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer - Fetal Echocardiolgraphy Website

Certification Description
The Pediatric Echocardiography (PE) examination tests basic pediatric echocardiography knowledge and skills essential to Sonography Professionals. To earn a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential with a PE specialty, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the PE examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer - Pediatric Echocardiography Website

Certification Description
The RDMS credential raises the standard of diagnostic medical ultrasound practice worldwide and promotes best practices for enhanced patient safety. The RDMS credential is designed to certify competence in the field of diagnostic medical sonography. By earning the RDMS credential, healthcare professionals gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in ultrasound. RDMS Credential Prerequisites To obtain the RDMS credential, you must meet the examination prerequisites and pass the physics and a corresponding specialty examination within five years: Physics Examination: • Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) Specialty examinations: • Abdomen (AB)* • Breast (BR)* • Fetal Echocardiography (FE)** • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN)* • Pediatric Sonography (PS)**

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Website

Certification Description
The Abdomen (AB) examination tests basic abdomen knowledge and skills essential to Sonography Professionals. To earn a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential with an AB specialty, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the AB examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Abdomen Website

Certification Description
The Breast (BR) examination tests basic mammography knowledge and skills essential to Sonography Professionals. To earn a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential with a BR specialty, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the BR examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Breast Website

Certification Description
The fetal echocardiography specialty examination for the RDMS credential is three hours long and contains approximately 170 multiple-choice questions.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Either training or work experience required, but not both? No
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Fetal Echocardiography Website

Certification Description
The Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) examination tests basic obstetrics and gynecology knowledge and skills essential to Sonography Professionals. To earn a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential with an OB/GYN specialty, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the OB/GYN examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Obstetrics and Gynecology Website

Certification Description
The Musculoskeletal Sonography (MSK) examination tests basic musculoskeletal knowledge and skills required in making reliable diagnosis and performing invasive procedures in musculoskeletal-related conditions. By earning the RMSK sonography credential, physicians gain a critical edge in promoting themselves as preeiminent practitioners in musculoskeletal sonography. To earn the Musculoskeletal Sonography (RMSK) credential, exclusively for Physicians, you must pass the MSK examination. ​

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 3 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Renew through Re-Examination? No
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? No

Registered in Medical Sonography - Musculoskeletal Website

Certifying Organization
Cardiovascular Credentialing International
http://www.cci-online.org

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? No
● Work Experience Required? No
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 3 Years
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes

Registered Phlebology Sonographer Website

Certification Description
The purpose of the ARRT Examination in Breast Sonography is to assess the knowledge and cognitive skills underlying the intelligent performance of the tasks typically required of staff sonographers practicing in this specialized area.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
https://www.arrt.org/

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 2 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? Yes

Registered Technologist - Breast Sonography Website

Certification Description
The purpose of the ARRT Examination in Sonography is to assess the knowledge and cognitive skills underlying the intelligent performance of the tasks typically required of staff sonographers at entry into the profession. To identify the knowledge and skills covered by the examination, the ARRT periodically conducts practice analysis studies involving a nationwide sample of sonographers.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
https://www.arrt.org/

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 2 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? Yes

Registered Technologist - Sonography Website

Certification Description
The purpose of the ARRT Examination in Vascular Sonography is to assess the knowledge and cognitive skills underlying the intelligent performance of the tasks typically required of staff sonographers practicing in this specialized area. In order to identify the knowledge and skills covered by the examination, the ARRT conducted a job analysis study involving a nationwide sample of vascular sonographers.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
https://www.arrt.org/

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 2 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? Yes
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No
● Does applicant have a choice of at least two options from above for renewal (CEU, CPD, or exam)? Yes

Registered Technologist - Vascular Sonography Website

Certification Description
The Vascular Technology (VT) examination tests basic vascular knowledge and skills essential to Sonography Professionals. To earn a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential, you must pass the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination and the VT examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years
● Renew through Continuing Educational Units (CEU)? No
● Renew through Re-Examination? Yes
● Renew through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? No

Registered Vascular Technology Website

Certification Description
The Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination tests basic physical principles and instrumentation knowledge essential to sonography professionals and students. To earn an RDMS, RDCS or RVT credential, you must pass the SPI examination and a corresponding specialty examination within five years. After passing the SPI examination, you can earn additional credentials without having to retake the SPI examination, provided you maintain active status.

Certifying Organization
American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
http://www.ardms.org/Pages/default.aspx

Certification Details
● Education and Training Required? Yes
● Work Experience Required? Yes
● Oral or Written Exam Required? Yes
● Renewal Required? Every 10 Years

Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Website

Source: CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).