SPI Examination Requirement
The Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Examination
Requirement allows students to apply for and take the SPI
examination prior to graduation. The SPI Examination Requirement
can be found in the Prerequisite section of this guide.
The SPI Examination Requirement cannot be used when applying for
a specialty examination (e.g. AB, BR, OB/GYN, FE, AE, MSKS, PE, PS,
VT). Applicants previously approved for the SPI examination under
the SPI Examination Requirement must choose a prerequisite in
order to apply for a specialty examination.
SPI Examination Requirement
Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. See the Notes About the SPI Requirement
on page 10.
Education
Successful completion of a general, medical or sonographic physics class/seminar/
course.
Documentation Required with Application
A transcript (see transcript requirements below) reflecting successful completion of a
graded general, medical or sonographic college, post-secondary or higher education
physics class (with a grade of C or above);
OR
SPI Examination Requirement
2
A CME certificate denoting successful completion of a general, medical or sonographic
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-
accepted CMEs). The CME credits must be earned within two (2) years prior to
application submission.
Transcript Requirements
• Name of Applicant and school must be printed on the transcript; handwritten
information will not be accepted.
• The class or course name must specifically indicate Physics, Physical Principles
and/or Instrumentation in the title and be printed on the transcript. Supplementary
information will not be accepted.
• 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.
• Transcripts indicating only a number grade must include a grade key printed on the
transcript showing the equivalent letter grade. Supplementary information will not be
accepted.
Notes About the SPI Examination
Requirement
• The SPI Examination Requirement applies to the SPI examination only.
• 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
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.
Musculoskeletal
Sonographer (MSKS)
Specialty
The Musculoskeletal Sonographer
(MSKS) specialty is part of the
Registered Musculoskeletal
Sonographer (RMSKS) credential.
The RMSKS credential examination
assesses basic ultrasound-related
musculoskeletal knowledge and skills.
By earning the RMSKS credential,
sonography professionals gain a critical
edge in promoting public safety in
musculoskeletal sonography.
For MSKS application dates, and
examination administration dates,
visit
ARDMS.org/MSKS and select
Schedule.
Registered Musculoskeletal
Sonographer – RMSKS Credential
Examination Prerequisite
Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to application submission
Education
Must hold an active credential or license in a health related
field
*
.
Individuals who hold a valid medical license in good standing without any
conditions or restrictions to practice medicine as an MD, DO, DPM, MBBS, DC,
NP, PA, DPT or PT must apply for the RMSK® credential offered by APCA, ARDMS’
companion Council.
Required Clinical Musculoskeletal
Ultrasound Experience
Performed a minimum of 150 musculoskeletal ultrasound
studies within the preceding 36 months of application. None
of the 150 case log requirement can be labeled as therapeutic
(injection or aspiration). For purposes of satisfying this
requirement, these studies must be completed on an actual
patient in a clinical diagnostic
**
setting. Simulation is not
acceptable for this attestation.
Recommended Continuing Medical
Education (CME)
Although CMEs are not required to apply for the MSKS
examination, ARDMS highly recommends and encourages
Applicants to earn a minimum of 30 musculoskeletal
ultrasound specific CMEs to assist with preparing to take the
MSKS examination. Applicants do not need to submit CME
documentation as this is only a recommendation and not a
requirement.
Documentation Required with Application
1. Copy of current, valid license or active credential in a health
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.
3. Applicants must maintain a patient log indicating that
he/she has performed a minimum of 150 musculoskeletal
ultrasound studies within the preceding 36 months of
application. None of the 150 case log requirement can be
labeled as therapeutic (injection or aspiration). This log does
not need to be submitted with the application but may be
requested as part of a random audit. This documentation
should be maintained by the applicant for at least 36 months
following the date of application for the MSKS examination.
*An individual whose health care practice is enhanced, or
directly related to, the use of musculoskeletal sonography.
Completion of an allied healthcare education program does not
meet this requirement.
**Clinical diagnostic settings include hospitals, clinics
and private practices. ARDMS does not accept volunteer,
instructorship, unpaid, barter or veterinarian experience.
***Individuals who hold a valid medical license in good
standing without any conditions or restrictions to practice
medicine as an MD, DO, DPM, MBBS, DC, NP, PA, DPT or PT
must apply for the RMSK certification offered by APCA, ARDMS’
companion Council.
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
name change (e.g. a marriage/divorce certificate) and all other
supporting documentation.
ARDMS.org
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Examination Requirements & Prerequisites
Prerequisite 1
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.
Education
A single two-year allied health education program that is
patient- care related.
1
Allied health occupations include, but are not limited to,
diagnostic medical sonographer, radiologic technologist,
respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, physical
therapist and registered nurse.
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
Experience
12 months of full-time
2
clinical ultrasound/vascular
experience.
3
Note: If you are using your DMS/CVT program for the
educational requirement, you still have to document an
additional 12 months of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular
experience earned outside the two-year program.
Documentation Required with Application
1. Copy of an official
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transcript from a two-year allied health
education program as noted in the Education requirement of
this prerequisite. Must state specific number of credits and
indicate quarter or semester based system. Must include
graduation information.
2. Copy of education program certificate, certification or
license.
3. Letter verifying completion of clinical ultrasound/vascular
experience. Please see ARDMS.org/SampleLetters for
specific requirements (Employer Sample Letter or Program
Completion Sample Letter).
3
.
4. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for
each appropriate specialty area(s). CV forms are available at
ARDMS.org/CV.
Prerequisite 2
Note: All listed items must be met and completed prior to submission. ARDMS does
not allow for retro accreditation. See the Notes About the Prerequisites on page 11
for footnotes, definitions and complete details.
Education
Graduate or a student
6
in a program accredited by an agency
recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA), United States Department of Education (USDOE) or
Canadian Medical Association (CMA)/Canadian Health Standards
Organization (HSO), that specifically conducts programmatic
accreditation for diagnostic medical sonography/diagnostic
cardiac sonography/vascular technology. Currently the only
organizations that offer programmatic accreditation under the
aforementioned associations are the Commission on Accreditation
of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Canadian
Medical Association (CMA) /Canadian Health Standards
Organization (HSO). Students whose Program Directors use
the Paperless Prerequisite 2 Application Program may apply for
the examination(s) up to 60 days prior to graduation. For more
information, please visit ARDMS.org/paperless-application.
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
Experience
No additional experience is required.
Documentation Required with Application
1. Copy of a diploma from an ultrasound/vascular program or
copy of an official
7
transcript indicating the date the degree was
conferred.
2. Letter signed by your program director and/or medical director
indicating your date of graduation or successful completion of the
program
4
. Program directors must use the mandatory formatted
sample letter, available at ARDMS.org/SampleLetters.
3. The CV form is not required if the application is submitted
and received within one year after successful completion of the
program. Otherwise a signed and completed CV form for each
appropriate specialty area(s) must be submitted. CV forms are
available at ARDMS.org/CV.
ARDMS.org
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ARDMS offers a Paperless Application
Program for Prerequisite 2 Applicants. For more
information please visit ARDMS.org/Apply.
Choosing a Prerequisite
To earn an ARDMS credential, Applicants
must choose and meet the requirements of a
prerequisite.
Please follow the steps below.
1. Review the Prerequisite Prep tool at
ARDMS.org/Prerequisite to help guide you
through the prerequisite selection process and
to select a prerequisite that best meets your
education and clinical ultrasound experience.
2. Find your education level in the section labeled
Education.
3. Ensure you have met the clinical experience
requirement within that prerequisite.
4. When you see a numbered term, please refer
to Notes About the Prerequisites section of this
guide.
5. Assemble the required documentation under
Documentation Required with Application
and submit with the online application form
and appropriate fees. You may now submit your
documentation by uploading it into your
MY
ARDMS account (or MY APCA for physicians)!
Eligibility will not be determined by telephone, fax
or e-mail.
For a complete prerequisite chart, log on to
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
to determine eligibility.
Examination Requirements & Prerequisites
Prerequisite 3A
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.
Education
Bachelor’s degree (any major) or foreign degree equivalent to a
Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or Canada.
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
Experience
12 months of full-time
2
clinical ultrasound/vascular experience.
3
Documentation Required with
Application
1. Copy of a Bachelor’s degree or copy of an official
7
transcript
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
Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. or Canada.
2. Letter verifying completion of clinical ultrasound/vascular
experience. Please see ARDMS.org/SampleLetters for specific
requirements (Employer Sample Letter or Program Completion
Sample Letter).
3
3. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each
appropriate specialty area(s). CV forms are available at
ARDMS.org/CV.
Prerequisite 3B
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.
Education
Graduate of or student
6
in a Bachelor’s degree in sonography or
vascular technology program or foreign degree equivalent to a
Bachelor’s degree in sonography or vascular technology in the U.S.
or Canada.
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
Experience
No additional experience is required.
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
12 months of full-time
2
clinical experience
3
within the program.
ARDMS Physician
Prerequisite
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.
Education
MD, DO license, or MBBS degree
Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
Experience
Minimum of 500 clinical diagnostic studies/cases in the
applied for specialty area completed over a minimum of 6
months.
Documentation Required with Application
1. Copy of current, valid license to practice.
2. Letter verifying completion of clinical ultrasound/vascular
experience. Please see ARDMS.org/SampleLetters for
specific requirements.
3. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for
each appropriate specialty area(s), CV forms are available at
ARDMS.org/CV.
4. Applicants must maintain a patient log indicating that he/
she has performed a minimum of 500 clinical diagnostic
studies/cases. This log does not need to be submitted
with the application but may be requested as part of a
random audit. This documentation should be maintained
by the applicant for at least 36 months following the date of
application.
Notes About the Prerequisites
1
A two-year allied health education program that is patient-
care related is defined as (1) 24 full-time consecutive
calendar months or (2) 60 semester credits or (3) 84
quarter credits (4) and requiring a clinical internship/
externship to complete the program. Credit hours are based
on U.S. equivalency in a post-secondary institution. The
program or school must be authorized by an accrediting
agency to award semester or quarter credits and the type
of credits granted must be reflected on the transcript.
Transcripts reflecting clock hours must be converted
to credit hours. If submitting a foreign degree, a formal
course by course foreign transcript evaluation report must
accompany the application summary and indicate the
aforementioned requirements.
2
Full-time is defined as 35 hours per week, at least 48
weeks per year. If working part time, the requirements are
prorated. Twenty hours per week would take approximately
5
Documentation Required with Application
1. Copy of a Bachelor’s degree or copy of an official
7
transcript
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
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
time of application, a letter signed by the program director indicating
the graduation date and completion of appropriate clinical ultrasound
experience
3
is needed
5
. Program directors must use the mandatory
formatted student or graduate sample letters, available at
ARDMS.org/SampleLetters.
3. The clinical verification (CV) form is not required if the application is
submitted and received within one year prior to successful completion
of the program, provided that the Applicant has completed 12 months
of full-time clinical experience within the program at the time that the
application is submitted. Otherwise, a signed and completed CV form
for each appropriate specialty area(s) must be submitted. CV forms
are available at ARDMS.org/CV.
Prerequisite 5
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.
Education
General—Must hold one of the following Active credentials:
ONLY RCS, RCCS or RVS through Cardiovascular Credentialing
International (CCI), or
ONLY Sonography, Vascular Sonography or Breast Sonography
through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), or
ONLY CRGS, CRCS or CRVS through Sonography Canada, or
`Required Clinical Ultrasound/Vascular
Experience
Previously met by achievement of other organization’s certification.
Documentation Required with Application
1. Copy of Active credential identification card or copy of license
reflecting an acceptable certification as noted in the Education
requirement at this prerequisite.
2. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each
appropriate specialty area(s). CV forms are available at
ARDMS.org/CV.
two years. The full-time definition applies to both paid clinical
ultrasound/vascular experience and experience earned through
completion of a formal ultrasound/vascular program.
3
Clinical ultrasound/vascular experience may be obtained one
of two ways: (1) being employed as an ultrasound/ vascular
sonographer in a clinical setting for a minimum of 12 months
and a minimum of 1,680 hours, or (2) successfully completing a
formal, full-time ultrasound/vascular program that is a minimum
of 12 months in length, a minimum of 1,680 total program hours,
including appropriate clinical and didactic hours, and requires a
clinical internship/externship to complete the program. If the total
length of the program exceeds 12 months,
the Applicant must successfully complete the program in its entirety
prior to using the program as documentation of the required clinical
ultrasound/vascular experience. Note: the above two options are
not applicable to Prerequisite 3B. To apply as a student under
Prerequisite 3B, the Applicant must have completed a minimum of
1,680 hours of clinical scanning experience over a minimum of 12
months within the program. It is recommended that an Applicant be
directly involved in a minimum of 800 diagnostic cases during his/
her clinical experience in each specialty area for which he/she is
applying. Clinical diagnostic settings include hospitals, clinics and
private practices. ARDMS does not accept volunteer, instructorship,
unpaid, barter or veterinarian experience. The time frames in which
the education and clinical requirements are met cannot overlap.
Additionally, if the Applicant is using an ultrasound program to
meet the clinical ultrasound/vascular experience then credits from
the program used to meet the educational requirement cannot be
transferred into the ultrasound program. This would be considered
an overlap and therefore unacceptable. Clinical experience earned
to document the education requirement cannot also be used to
support the clinical requirement.
4
The mandatory Prerequisite 2 Application letter (found on
ARDMS.org/SampleLetters) is valid for one year from the date
of graduation. If the application and appropriate supporting
documentation are not received within one year from the date of
graduation, after one year of successful completion of the program,
the Applicant will need new documentation verifying successful
program completion, and a current, completed, signed CV form for
each applied-for specialty area will be required. A letter per student
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
programmatically accredited curriculum.
5
The mandatory Student Prerequisite 3B Application Letter (found
on ARDMS.org/SampleLetters), is valid through the expected
graduation date. If the student chooses to apply after graduation,
then the Graduate Prerequisite 3B Application letter (found on
ARDMS.org/SampleLetters) and a current, completed, signed CV
form for each applied-for specialty area will be required. A letter per
student is required.
Note: If the Bachelor’s Degree sonography/vascular technology
program is also programmatically accredited through one of the
following: Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), United
States Department of Education (USDOE), or Canadian Medical
Association (CMA)/Canadian Health Standards Organization (HSO),
and the students have graduated, then the prerequisite 3B students
should apply under Prerequisite 2.
6
Students deemed eligible for examination under Prerequisite 2 or
3B prior to graduation must successfully complete said program in
order to be able to keep any credentials awarded by the ARDMS.
In the event that the student does not successfully complete said
program, ARDMS, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to rescind
any credentials earned.
7
Official transcripts may be opened so they can be uploaded into a
MY ARDMS or MY APCA account for submission.
Note: Prerequisite requirements are subject to change at any time
and from time to time. Applicants must meet current prerequisite
requirements in effect at the time of application. ARDMS, in its
discretion, may request from you or others information concerning
matters that may be relevant to your eligibility for certification and
certification status. Documentation received in a language other
than English must include a notarized translation in English. All
documents, communications, and other information received by
ARDMS become the property of ARDMS and will not be returned.
Note: ARDMS, in its discretion, may request from you or others
information concerning matters that may be relevant to your eligibility
for certification and certification status.
Documentation (MD licenses, CMEs, etc.) received in a language
other than English must include a notarized translation in English and
all submitted foreign degrees must be accompanied by a course by
course evaluation done by a Foreign Education Transcript Evaluation
Organization.
All documents, communications, and other information received by
ARDMS become the property of ARDMS and will not be returned.
Impartiality
ARDMS functions under policies intended to demonstrate
impartiality, high ethical standards, and validity of its certification
assessments. ARDMS does not restrict Applicants, Candidates,
or becoming a Registrant based on limiting conditions, such as
membership of an association or professional society of any
organization. ARDMS will not unfairly impede or inhibit access to
its certification to Applicants, Candidates or Registrants who meet
our stated policies regarding qualification requirements, renewal
requirements and/or passing ARDMS’ psychometrically sound
certification assessments.
ARDMS.org
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Examination Requirements & Prerequisites
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