ARDMS

General
Prerequisites
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SPI Examination Requirement A CME certificate denoting successful completion of a general, medical or sonographic

SPI Examination Requirement

physics seminar, physics review course, or physics correspondence course, denoting
a minimum award of 12 ARDMS-accepted CME credits. The certificate must meet
ARDMS CME documentation requirements (visit ARDMS.org/CME to view ARDMS-
The Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Examination accepted CMEs). The CME credits must be earned within two (2) years prior to
Requirement allows students to apply for and take the SPI application submission.
examination prior to graduation. The SPI Examination Requirement
can be found in the Prerequisite section of this guide. Transcript Requirements
• Name of Applicant and school must be printed on the transcript; handwritten
The SPI Examination Requirement cannot be used when applying for information will not be accepted.
a specialty examination (e.g. AB, BR, OB/GYN, FE, AE, MSKS, PE, PS, • The class or course name must specifically indicate Physics, Physical Principles
VT). Applicants previously approved for the SPI examination under and/or Instrumentation in the title and be printed on the transcript. Supplementary
information will not be accepted.
the SPI Examination Requirement must choose a prerequisite in
order to apply for a specialty examination. • Transcript can be unofficial or official.
• If submitting a foreign transcript or degree, a formal course by course foreign
transcript evaluation report must accompany the application summary and indicate
the aforementioned requirements.
SPI Examination Requirement • Transcripts indicating only a number grade must include a grade key printed on the
Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. See the Notes About the SPI Requirement transcript showing the equivalent letter grade. Supplementary information will not be
on page 10. accepted.

Education
Successful completion of a general, medical or sonographic physics class/seminar/ Notes About the SPI Examination
course.
Requirement
Documentation Required with Application
A transcript (see transcript requirements below) reflecting successful completion of a • The SPI Examination Requirement applies to the SPI examination only.
graded general, medical or sonographic college, post-secondary or higher education
physics class (with a grade of C or above); • If the SPI examination is your first ARDMS examination (excluding PVI and MSK),
please note: those who can fully meet an existing ARDMS prerequisite are strongly
OR encouraged to apply under that prerequisite, as future application processing will be
faster and easier.

• Applicants who have been approved to take one of the following examinations will
apply as a re-applicant (no required supporting documentation) AB, BR, OB/GYN, FE,
AE, PE, VT, PS, MSKS.

• A clinical verification (CV) form is not required for the SPI examination.

• To apply for an ARDMS specialty examination (AB, BR, OB/GYN, FE, AE, PE, VT, PS),
an existing ARDMS prerequisite must be met.

Important: The name on all supporting documentation must be consistent and

must match the name under which you apply. If it does not, you will need to submit
legal documentation of the name change (e.g. a marriage/divorce certificate)
with your application summary page and all other supporting documentation. Visit
ARDMS.org/manage-personal-information for details.

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Registered Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal
Sonographer – RMSKS Credential
Sonographer (MSKS)
Examination Prerequisite Specialty
Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to application submission
The Musculoskeletal Sonographer
Education (MSKS) specialty is part of the
Must hold an active credential or license in a health related 3. Applicants must maintain a patient log indicating that Registered Musculoskeletal
field*. he/she has performed a minimum of 150 musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS) credential.
ultrasound studies within the preceding 36 months of
Individuals who hold a valid medical license in good standing without any application. None of the 150 case log requirement can be The RMSKS credential examination
conditions or restrictions to practice medicine as an MD, DO, DPM, MBBS, DC,
labeled as therapeutic (injection or aspiration). This log does assesses basic ultrasound-related
NP, PA, DPT or PT must apply for the RMSK® credential offered by APCA, ARDMS’
companion Council.
not need to be submitted with the application but may be musculoskeletal knowledge and skills.
requested as part of a random audit. This documentation
should be maintained by the applicant for at least 36 months By earning the RMSKS credential,
Required Clinical Musculoskeletal following the date of application for the MSKS examination. sonography professionals gain a critical
Ultrasound Experience
edge in promoting public safety in
Performed a minimum of 150 musculoskeletal ultrasound
musculoskeletal sonography.
studies within the preceding 36 months of application. None
of the 150 case log requirement can be labeled as therapeutic *An individual whose health care practice is enhanced, or
directly related to, the use of musculoskeletal sonography.
(injection or aspiration). For purposes of satisfying this
Completion of an allied healthcare education program does not
For MSKS application dates, and
requirement, these studies must be completed on an actual
patient in a clinical diagnostic** setting. Simulation is not meet this requirement. examination administration dates,
acceptable for this attestation. visit ARDMS.org/MSKS and select
**Clinical diagnostic settings include hospitals, clinics
and private practices. ARDMS does not accept volunteer, Schedule.
Recommended Continuing Medical instructorship, unpaid, barter or veterinarian experience.
Education (CME)
Although CMEs are not required to apply for the MSKS ***Individuals who hold a valid medical license in good
examination, ARDMS highly recommends and encourages standing without any conditions or restrictions to practice
Applicants to earn a minimum of 30 musculoskeletal medicine as an MD, DO, DPM, MBBS, DC, NP, PA, DPT or PT
ultrasound specific CMEs to assist with preparing to take the must apply for the RMSK certification offered by APCA, ARDMS’
MSKS examination. Applicants do not need to submit CME companion Council.
documentation as this is only a recommendation and not a
requirement. Note: The name on all supporting documentation must be
consistent and must match the name under which you apply. If
it does not, you will need to submit legal documentation of the
Documentation Required with Application name change (e.g. a marriage/divorce certificate) and all other
1. Copy of current, valid license or active credential in a health supporting documentation.
related field***.

2. Completed online third-party attestation form indicating

that you have performed a minimum of 150 musculoskeletal
ultrasound studies within the preceding 36 months of
application. To download the third-party attestation form, visit
ARDMS.org/MSKS-Attestation.

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Examination Requirements & Prerequisites
Choosing a Prerequisite Prerequisite 1 Prerequisite 2
Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. See Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. ARDMS does
To earn an ARDMS credential, Applicants the Notes About the Prerequisites on page 11 for footnotes, definitions and not allow for retro accreditation. See the Notes About the Prerequisites on page 11
must choose and meet the requirements of a complete details. for footnotes, definitions and complete details.

prerequisite.
Education Education
A single two-year allied health education program that is Graduate or a student6 in a program accredited by an agency
Please follow the steps below. patient- care related.1 recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA), United States Department of Education (USDOE) or
1. Review the Prerequisite Prep tool at Allied health occupations include, but are not limited to, Canadian Medical Association (CMA)/Canadian Health Standards
ARDMS.org/Prerequisite to help guide you diagnostic medical sonographer, radiologic technologist, Organization (HSO), that specifically conducts programmatic
respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, physical accreditation for diagnostic medical sonography/diagnostic
through the prerequisite selection process and therapist and registered nurse. cardiac sonography/vascular technology. Currently the only
to select a prerequisite that best meets your organizations that offer programmatic accreditation under the
education and clinical ultrasound experience. Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular aforementioned associations are the Commission on Accreditation
of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Canadian
Experience
Medical Association (CMA) /Canadian Health Standards
2. Find your education level in the section labeled 12 months of full-time2 clinical ultrasound/vascular Organization (HSO). Students whose Program Directors use
Education. experience.3 the Paperless Prerequisite 2 Application Program may apply for
the examination(s) up to 60 days prior to graduation. For more
Note: If you are using your DMS/CVT program for the information, please visit ARDMS.org/paperless-application.
3. Ensure you have met the clinical experience educational requirement, you still have to document an
requirement within that prerequisite. additional 12 months of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
experience earned outside the two-year program.
Experience
4. When you see a numbered term, please refer
to Notes About the Prerequisites section of this Documentation Required with Application No additional experience is required.

guide. 1. Copy of an official7 transcript from a two-year allied health

Documentation Required with Application
education program as noted in the Education requirement of
this prerequisite. Must state specific number of credits and 1. Copy of a diploma from an ultrasound/vascular program or
5. Assemble the required documentation under indicate quarter or semester based system. Must include copy of an official7 transcript indicating the date the degree was
Documentation Required with Application graduation information. conferred.
and submit with the online application form
2. Copy of education program certificate, certification or 2. Letter signed by your program director and/or medical director
and appropriate fees. You may now submit your license. indicating your date of graduation or successful completion of the
documentation by uploading it into your MY program4. Program directors must use the mandatory formatted
ARDMS account (or MY APCA for physicians)! 3. Letter verifying completion of clinical ultrasound/vascular sample letter, available at ARDMS.org/SampleLetters.
experience. Please see ARDMS.org/SampleLetters for
specific requirements (Employer Sample Letter or Program 3. The CV form is not required if the application is submitted
Eligibility will not be determined by telephone, fax Completion Sample Letter).3 and received within one year after successful completion of the
or e-mail. . program. Otherwise a signed and completed CV form for each
4. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for appropriate specialty area(s) must be submitted. CV forms are
For a complete prerequisite chart, log on to each appropriate specialty area(s). CV forms are available at available at ARDMS.org/CV.
ARDMS.org/CV.
ARDMS.org/PrereqChart.
Applicants must apply online, pay all
fees, and submit all of the required
supporting documentation by the
deadline provided in order for ARDMS ARDMS offers a Paperless Application
to determine eligibility. Program for Prerequisite 2 Applicants. For more
information please visit ARDMS.org/Apply.

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Prerequisite 3A Documentation Required with Application ARDMS Physician

Examination Requirements & Prerequisites

Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. See the Notes
About the Prerequisites on page 11 for footnotes, definitions and complete details.
1. Copy of a Bachelor’s degree or copy of an official transcript7
Prerequisite
earned in the U.S. or Canada or a copy of a formal foreign transcript
evaluation report indicating that the degree is equivalent to a Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. See
Education Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or Canada. the Notes About The Prerequisites on page 11 for footnotes, definitions and
Bachelor’s degree (any major) or foreign degree equivalent to a complete details.

Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or Canada. 2. Letter signed by an education program director verifying length of
ultrasound or vascular experience. If program is not completed at the
Education
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular time of application, a letter signed by the program director indicating MD, DO license, or MBBS degree
Experience the graduation date and completion of appropriate clinical ultrasound

12 months of full-time2 clinical ultrasound/vascular experience.3

experience3 is needed5. Program directors must use the mandatory Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
formatted student or graduate sample letters, available at
ARDMS.org/SampleLetters.
Experience
Documentation Required with Application Minimum of 500 clinical diagnostic studies/cases in the
3. The clinical verification (CV) form is not required if the application is applied for specialty area completed over a minimum of 6
1. Copy of a Bachelor’s degree or copy of an official transcript7
submitted and received within one year prior to successful completion months.
earned in the U.S. or Canada, or a copy of a formal foreign transcript
of the program, provided that the Applicant has completed 12 months
evaluation report indicating that the degree is equivalent to a
Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or Canada.
of full-time clinical experience within the program at the time that the Documentation Required with Application
application is submitted. Otherwise, a signed and completed CV form 1. Copy of current, valid license to practice.
for each appropriate specialty area(s) must be submitted. CV forms
2. Letter verifying completion of clinical ultrasound/vascular
are available at ARDMS.org/CV. 2. Letter verifying completion of clinical ultrasound/vascular
experience. Please see ARDMS.org/SampleLetters for specific
requirements (Employer Sample Letter or Program Completion experience. Please see ARDMS.org/SampleLetters for
Sample Letter).3 specific requirements.

3. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each Prerequisite 5 3. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for
appropriate specialty area(s). CV forms are available at Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. See the Notes each appropriate specialty area(s), CV forms are available at
ARDMS.org/CV. About the Prerequisites on page 11 for footnotes, definitions and complete details. ARDMS.org/CV.

Education 4. Applicants must maintain a patient log indicating that he/

General—Must hold one of the following Active credentials: she has performed a minimum of 500 clinical diagnostic
studies/cases. This log does not need to be submitted
Prerequisite 3B ONLY RCS, RCCS or RVS through Cardiovascular Credentialing with the application but may be requested as part of a
Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. See the Notes International (CCI), or random audit. This documentation should be maintained
About the Prerequisites on page 11 for footnotes, definitions and complete details. by the applicant for at least 36 months following the date of
ONLY Sonography, Vascular Sonography or Breast Sonography application.
Education through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), or Notes About the Prerequisites
Graduate of or student in a Bachelor’s degree in sonography or
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A two-year allied health education program that is patient-
ONLY CRGS, CRCS or CRVS through Sonography Canada, or
vascular technology program or foreign degree equivalent to a care related is defined as (1) 24 full-time consecutive
Bachelor’s degree in sonography or vascular technology in the U.S. calendar months or (2) 60 semester credits or (3) 84
or Canada. quarter credits (4) and requiring a clinical internship/
`Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular externship to complete the program. Credit hours are based
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular Experience on U.S. equivalency in a post-secondary institution. The
Experience Previously met by achievement of other organization’s certification. program or school must be authorized by an accrediting
agency to award semester or quarter credits and the type
No additional experience is required. of credits granted must be reflected on the transcript.
Documentation Required with Application Transcripts reflecting clock hours must be converted
Note: Sonography or vascular technology Bachelor’s degree Applicants may take the
examination one year prior to the completion of degree, provided they have completed 1. Copy of Active credential identification card or copy of license to credit hours. If submitting a foreign degree, a formal
12 months of full-time2 clinical experience3 within the program. reflecting an acceptable certification as noted in the Education course by course foreign transcript evaluation report must
requirement at this prerequisite. accompany the application summary and indicate the
aforementioned requirements.
2. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each
appropriate specialty area(s). CV forms are available at 2
Full-time is defined as 35 hours per week, at least 48
ARDMS.org/CV. weeks per year. If working part time, the requirements are
prorated. Twenty hours per week would take approximately

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two years. The full-time definition applies to both paid clinical Note: If the Bachelor’s Degree sonography/vascular technology

Examination Requirements & Prerequisites

ultrasound/vascular experience and experience earned through program is also programmatically accredited through one of the
completion of a formal ultrasound/vascular program. following: Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), United
States Department of Education (USDOE), or Canadian Medical
3
Clinical ultrasound/vascular experience may be obtained one Association (CMA)/Canadian Health Standards Organization (HSO),
of two ways: (1) being employed as an ultrasound/ vascular and the students have graduated, then the prerequisite 3B students
sonographer in a clinical setting for a minimum of 12 months should apply under Prerequisite 2.
and a minimum of 1,680 hours, or (2) successfully completing a
formal, full-time ultrasound/vascular program that is a minimum 6
Students deemed eligible for examination under Prerequisite 2 or
of 12 months in length, a minimum of 1,680 total program hours, 3B prior to graduation must successfully complete said program in
including appropriate clinical and didactic hours, and requires a order to be able to keep any credentials awarded by the ARDMS.
clinical internship/externship to complete the program. If the total In the event that the student does not successfully complete said
length of the program exceeds 12 months, program, ARDMS, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to rescind
the Applicant must successfully complete the program in its entirety any credentials earned.
prior to using the program as documentation of the required clinical
ultrasound/vascular experience. Note: the above two options are 7
Official transcripts may be opened so they can be uploaded into a
not applicable to Prerequisite 3B. To apply as a student under MY ARDMS or MY APCA account for submission.
Prerequisite 3B, the Applicant must have completed a minimum of
1,680 hours of clinical scanning experience over a minimum of 12 Note: Prerequisite requirements are subject to change at any time
months within the program. It is recommended that an Applicant be and from time to time. Applicants must meet current prerequisite
directly involved in a minimum of 800 diagnostic cases during his/ requirements in effect at the time of application. ARDMS, in its
her clinical experience in each specialty area for which he/she is discretion, may request from you or others information concerning
applying. Clinical diagnostic settings include hospitals, clinics and matters that may be relevant to your eligibility for certification and
private practices. ARDMS does not accept volunteer, instructorship, certification status. Documentation received in a language other
unpaid, barter or veterinarian experience. The time frames in which than English must include a notarized translation in English. All
the education and clinical requirements are met cannot overlap. documents, communications, and other information received by
Additionally, if the Applicant is using an ultrasound program to ARDMS become the property of ARDMS and will not be returned.
meet the clinical ultrasound/vascular experience then credits from
the program used to meet the educational requirement cannot be Note: ARDMS, in its discretion, may request from you or others
transferred into the ultrasound program. This would be considered information concerning matters that may be relevant to your eligibility
an overlap and therefore unacceptable. Clinical experience earned for certification and certification status.
to document the education requirement cannot also be used to
support the clinical requirement. Documentation (MD licenses, CMEs, etc.) received in a language
other than English must include a notarized translation in English and
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The mandatory Prerequisite 2 Application letter (found on all submitted foreign degrees must be accompanied by a course by
ARDMS.org/SampleLetters) is valid for one year from the date course evaluation done by a Foreign Education Transcript Evaluation
of graduation. If the application and appropriate supporting Organization.
documentation are not received within one year from the date of
graduation, after one year of successful completion of the program, All documents, communications, and other information received by
the Applicant will need new documentation verifying successful ARDMS become the property of ARDMS and will not be returned.
program completion, and a current, completed, signed CV form for
each applied-for specialty area will be required. A letter per student

Impartiality
is required. First-time Applicants applying under Prerequisite 2
must apply for either the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation
(SPI) examination or a specialty area that is included within the ARDMS functions under policies intended to demonstrate
programmatically accredited curriculum. impartiality, high ethical standards, and validity of its certification
assessments. ARDMS does not restrict Applicants, Candidates,
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The mandatory Student Prerequisite 3B Application Letter (found or becoming a Registrant based on limiting conditions, such as
on ARDMS.org/SampleLetters), is valid through the expected membership of an association or professional society of any
graduation date. If the student chooses to apply after graduation, organization. ARDMS will not unfairly impede or inhibit access to
then the Graduate Prerequisite 3B Application letter (found on its certification to Applicants, Candidates or Registrants who meet
ARDMS.org/SampleLetters) and a current, completed, signed CV our stated policies regarding qualification requirements, renewal
form for each applied-for specialty area will be required. A letter per requirements and/or passing ARDMS’ psychometrically sound
student is required. certification assessments.

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