Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Certification or Licensing

After completing their degrees, sonographers may register with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Registration allows qualified sonographers to take the national boards to obtain certification, which, although optional, is frequently required by employers. Four registration categories are available to sonographers: registered diagnostic medical sonographer, registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer, registered vascular technologist, and registered musculoskeletal sonographer. The ARDMS also offers a midwife sonography certificate.

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) offers the advanced cardiac sonographer credential to sonographers who practice at an advanced level in an echocardiography laboratory. Other certification credentials are available from CCI. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists also offers certification programs.

Only Oregon, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and New Mexico require sonographers to be licensed. Other licensing requirements may exist at the local level.