Education · 1 of 5

The path

Short and specific. Getting into the program is the hard part, not finishing it.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Physics, biology and math. Some programs also want a health care course or documented hours in a clinic.

2. 2

   Get into an accredited program

   Apply a year ahead

   Look for accreditation from CAAHEP (the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs). Classes are small, applications outnumber seats badly, and many programs have a waiting list.

3. 3

   Associate degree, bachelor's degree or certificate

   1 to 4 years

   Anatomy, ultrasound physics, cross sectional anatomy and scanning protocols, plus clinical rotations in a real imaging department from early on.

4. 4

   Pass your credential exams

   Around graduation

   The usual route is the physics exam plus one specialty exam from ARDMS (the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography), which makes you an RDMS (Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer).

5. 5

   Get hired and add specialties

   Ongoing

   Most people start general, then add vascular or cardiac over the next few years.