Updates on the ARDMS Application Process
Unlike other medical professions, diagnostic medical sonographers are not mandated by law to become certified. There isn’t a nationwide licensing body that grants sonographers licenses in order to practice. However, sonographers are highly encouraged to take the ARDMS certification exams before applying for any form of work. Certification is a typical requirement by most employers; they will usually hire sonographers who are certified over those who aren’t.
ARDMS Examination Overview
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) has a set of certifications offered throughout the year. Some examinations are available all year-round while some are available at specific periods. All sonographers are expected to take at least two exams. The first exam is called the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Examination (SPI), while the second is a specialty exam.
Once a sonographer has passed the SPI exam, he/she can take as many specialty exams as he/she can. There are ten specialty exams for sonographers, plus two more for sonographers and physicians. Get the answers from a practice on the ARDMS website.
You may receive any of the following credentials after passing specialty exams:
· Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
· Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
· Registered Vascular Technologist
· Registered in Musculoskeletal
· Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation
Admission requirements
After you have applied for a certification exam, remember these (new) test center admission requirements, effective starting from September 2, 2014.
· Check with the Test Center Administrator
· One (valid) photo ID picture
· Palm vein scanning
· Test day photograph (taken at the center)
Aside from the requirements listed above, the sonographer must also present one valid ID. An acceptable ID must have the following:
· First and last name used in the ARDMS application
· Original (Not a photocopy)
· Current and valid (has not yet expired)
· Government-issued
· Clear photo
· Sonographer’s signature
Specifically, a sonographer can bring his/her passport, driver’s license, military ID, national/state/province ID, alien registration card, local language ID (US). All of these will be accepted by the administrator at the test center as a sonographer’s proof of identity.
It is important to be ready during your testing date. Do not forget the requirements above and your testing permit. Be sure you have studied and prepared well for the exam you are taking; there will be practical questions such as analyzing pictures.
Do not do any more studying when you reach the test center and just relax. The sonographer examinations are meant to test both knowledge and skills that will be used in a clinical set up, so questions are largely based on clinical experience. You can find more details on the ARMDS website.
ARDMS Examination Overview
The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) has a set of certifications offered throughout the year. Some examinations are available all year-round while some are available at specific periods. All sonographers are expected to take at least two exams. The first exam is called the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation Examination (SPI), while the second is a specialty exam.
Once a sonographer has passed the SPI exam, he/she can take as many specialty exams as he/she can. There are ten specialty exams for sonographers, plus two more for sonographers and physicians. Get the answers from a practice on the ARDMS website.
You may receive any of the following credentials after passing specialty exams:
· Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
· Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
· Registered Vascular Technologist
· Registered in Musculoskeletal
· Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation
Admission requirements
After you have applied for a certification exam, remember these (new) test center admission requirements, effective starting from September 2, 2014.
· Check with the Test Center Administrator
· One (valid) photo ID picture
· Palm vein scanning
· Test day photograph (taken at the center)
Aside from the requirements listed above, the sonographer must also present one valid ID. An acceptable ID must have the following:
· First and last name used in the ARDMS application
· Original (Not a photocopy)
· Current and valid (has not yet expired)
· Government-issued
· Clear photo
· Sonographer’s signature
Specifically, a sonographer can bring his/her passport, driver’s license, military ID, national/state/province ID, alien registration card, local language ID (US). All of these will be accepted by the administrator at the test center as a sonographer’s proof of identity.
It is important to be ready during your testing date. Do not forget the requirements above and your testing permit. Be sure you have studied and prepared well for the exam you are taking; there will be practical questions such as analyzing pictures.
Do not do any more studying when you reach the test center and just relax. The sonographer examinations are meant to test both knowledge and skills that will be used in a clinical set up, so questions are largely based on clinical experience. You can find more details on the ARMDS website.