Legislation

ARDMS supports sonography laws that recognize leading national credentialing programs, identify sensible continuing medical education requirements, charge affordable fees, and are overseen by a regulatory group that includes sonography professionals. Ideally, such laws would be instituted at a federal level, since state-by-state requirements may vary greatly increasing the complexity and reducing the mobility of ultrasound professionals.

How Licensure Differs from Certification:

At the most basic level, a license is required to practice a certain profession (like medicine and law), while certification is an objective, voluntary documentation of competence.

Licensure laws require that the individual meet and maintain certain professional standards. Just as important, they help prevent those who are not trained or qualified from practicing. Though licensure laws vary from state to state, one typically must be certified by a nationally recognized organization as part of the licensure process.  Fees for licensure itself are typically paid to the state.

A certification documents that an individual has met specific requirements and has the knowledge, skills and abilities to work within a profession. Certifications are typically given by private organizations/professional societies after completion of a course of study and an objective assessment of competency, such as an exam(s).  To maintain certification, one is typically required to demonstrate ongoing competency and to pay a fee to the certifying agency.

ARDMS monitors legislation and regulation that may affect sonography services provided through Medicare.