Application Process
* You must be 18 years of age or older to apply.
Once you are ready to apply for an ARDMS examination, follow the steps below:
- Log in to MY ARDMS and choose Apply Online under the Application Center
- Complete the online application form and submit payment. If you are a first-time applicant, you are required to choose a prerequisite under the prerequisite chart under which to apply.
- During the application process you will be required to attest that you have read, understood and acknowledge the following:
*Note: After reading the Confidentiality Agreement, you will be given two response options – “I Agree” and “I Do Not Agree.” Should you choose the “I Do Not Agree” option, you are not agreeing to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement and as such you will not be able to proceed with the application process.
- Gather your supporting documentation and submit at time of application.
- To upload your documentation to your MYARDMS/APCA account, click the “My Resources” tab, then “Upload Documents”. For “File Type” select “Application Documents”.
For more details, please visit Get Certified to select the specialty examination you wish to apply under. Once we have reviewed your information, we will email you with either an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) or a request for additional documentation. When you receive the ECL, you may contact Pearson VUE to schedule an examination appointment during your eligibility period. The eligibility period will be available on your ECL. If you are found ineligible to take the examination, your application will be partially refunded (less the $100 USD processing fee per examination) and documentation originals will be mailed back to you.
To retake an examination you did not pass, please refer to the specific examination under Certifications and Examinations.
Certification Process
- Once approved schedule and sit for your examination(s).
- The required examinations for the desired credential and confirmation of your passing scores by ARDMS, the credential will be awarded. At that time, you may:
- Access your credential information in the Directory of Registrants
- Print a Status Verification letter in MY ARDMS
- Print a Digital ID Card (if applicable) in MY ARDMS
- Within 4 – 6 weeks, you will receive a Welcome letter with your printed certificate and information regarding your new credential. You will also receive a digital badge, or digital version, of your credential that you can share on social media.
- Celebrate your success – you earned it!
Preparation Process
To prepare for your ARDMS examination take a practice test to become familiar with our exam interface and review our content outlines:
Take A Practice Test
RDMS
RDCS
RMSKS
RVT
Midwife Sonography Certificate
For additional information on how to share your new credential, click here.
APPLICATION RESOURCES
• ARDMS Examination Tutorial Videos
• Application Submission Checklist
• View Test Center Locations
• Prerequisite Prep tool
• Test Center Identification Requirements
• Five-Year Rule
• Examination Development Process
• Exam Score Verification Form
• GI Reimbursement for U.S. Armed Forces Veterans
HOW TO APPLY GUIDES
PREREQUISITES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisite Prep Tool
To earn an ARDMS credential, Applicants must choose and meet the requirements of a prerequisite. Review the Prerequisite Prep tool to help guide you through the prerequisite selection process and to select a prerequisite that best meets your education and clinical ultrasound experience.
Re-Applicant – A re-applicant is a Candidate or Registrant who has previously applied and been approved by ARDMS to take or has taken an ARDMS examination and who is applying to take another examination; this does not include an individual who has only been approved for MSKS, MW examinations and approval of the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination under the SPI Examination Requirement Pathway. Re-applicants should apply as such and thus this guide isn’t necessary for you.