What is RMSK certification and how do I become certified?

What is RMSK® certification?

The Registered in Musculoskeletal^® (RMSK^®) sonography certification from the Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA) allows physicians to "raise the standard of musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging worldwide and promotes best practices for enhanced patient safety".

Obtaining your RMSK^® helps you "gain a critical edge in promoting public safety in musculoskeletal ultrasound".

How do I become RMSK certified?

To earn your RMSK^® certification you must meet a set of prerequisites and pass the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (MSK) examination.

Step 1: Review prerequisites to confirm you are eligible

• MD, DO, DPM, MBBS, DC, NP, PA, DPT or PT with a valid, unrestricted license to practice
• Be able to provide documentation that you performed or authorized the diagnosis of 150 musculoskeletal ultrasound studies in the past 36 months. No more than 8 cases can be labeled therapeutic.
• Not required but highly encouraged that applicants earn 30 or more MSK CME credits.

Step 2: Gather supporting documentation of eligibility

• Copy of a valid medical license in good standing without any conditions or restrictions to practice as an MD, DO, DPM, MBBS, DC, NP, PA, DPT or PT
• Completed third-party attestation form indicating the performance and/or authorized diagnosis of a minimum of 150 musculoskeletal ultrasound studies within the preceding 36 months of application.
• Copy of a non-expired government-issued photo identification with signature; the first and last names on the identification must exactly match the first and last names under which you apply.
• Not required unless requested as part of an audit: Copy of a patient log indicating the performance and/or authorized diagnosis of a minimum of 150 musculoskeletal ultrasound studies within the preceding 36 months of application with no more than 8 cases labeled as therapeutic.

Step 3: Apply for the PVI examination, provide payment, and upload eligibility and other supporting documents

• To apply log in to MY APCA and choose the “Apply Online” option.
• You must apply during these two time frames: January 25th-April 5th and July 26th-October 4th.
• Upload your supporting documents within 21 days of applying
• The examination fee is $600 USD which includes a $100 refundable processing fee. (If found ineligible you will be refund minus the processing fee)

Step 4: Receive your Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) email and schedule your exam

• Create a Pearson VUE account to schedule your exam
• Exams can only be scheduled within these two time frames: April 19th-May 19th and October 18th - November 17th.

Step 5: Prepare for the exam

• Review exam content
• Take a practice test. Sign-up for a practice test through your MY APCA account. Each practice test fee is $35 USD.

Step 6: Take the exam and receive score report

• The primary test result is a PASS or FAIL decision.
• You will receive a scaled score from 300-700. A score of 555 is a passing score.
• Examination results and a full score report will be available approximately 60 days after the close of the examination administration. At that time, an email will be sent to you with instructions on how to access your score report in MY​ APCA​.
• You can request a score verification by filling out the request form and paying the $35 USD fee.

CME Requirements

Once certified you are required to earn 30 CME credits in musculoskeletal ultrasound every 3 years to maintain your certification. The APCA-Orbit plan is the most streamlined and affordable way to earn your CME credits.

Questions? support@orbitcme.com