ARDMS Sonographer Certifications

You can obtain four different sonographer certifications with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS):

1. Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer certification (RDCS)
2. Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer certification (RDMS)
3. Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer certification (RMSKS)
4. Registered Vascular Technologist certification (RVT).

You do not need to be a physician to earn an ARDMS sonography certificate. However, physicians and those who hold APCA ultrasound certifications are welcome to apply for and earn ARDMS certifications. Any sonography professional, whether a physician, licensed sonographer, or student working towards a degree in sonography, can earn ARDMS certifications.

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)®

The Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer certification allows sonographer professionals to gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in cardiac sonography.

Obtaining your RDCS® certifies your knowledge and proficiency in the field of diagnostic cardiac sonography.

There are 3 specialties under the RDCS certification that you must choose from.

• Adult Echocardiography (AE)
• Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
• Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)

To earn your RDCS certification you must meet one of the 5 prerequisites and pass both the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) and a specialty examination.

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS)®

The Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer certification allows sonographer professionals to gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in ultrasound.

Obtaining your RDMS® certifies your knowledge and proficiency in the field of diagnostic medical sonography.

There are 5 specialties under the RDMS certification that you must choose from.

• Abdomen (AB)
• Breast (BR)
• Fetal Echocardiography (FE)
• Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN)
• Pediatric Sonography (PS)

To earn your RDMS certification you must meet one of the 5 prerequisites and pass both the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) and a specialty examination.

Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)®

The Registered Vascular Technologist certification allows sonographer professionals to gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in vascular ultrasound.

Obtaining your RVT® certifies your knowledge and proficiency in the field of vascular ultrasound.

To earn your RVT®  certification you must meet one of the 5 prerequisites and pass both the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) and the Vascular Technology (VT) specialty examination.

Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS)®

The Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer certification allows sonographer professionals to gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Obtaining your RMSKS® certifies your knowledge and proficiency in the field of musculoskeletal ultrasound.

To earn your RMSKS®  certification you must meet the prerequisite and pass both the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) and the Musculoskeletal Sonographer specialty examination.

After Certification

After you earn one of these certifications, you’ll need to maintain your certification with the ARDMS by earning continuing medical education (CME) credits. Learn more about those requirements here.

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