Scope of Practice

ARDMS strongly encourages all prospective and current sonographers to understand their scope of practice.

As a credentialing organization, ARDMS does not determine the scope of practice for sonographers. Currently, there is no national regulatory body that oversees the practice of ultrasound. ARDMS credentials are considered voluntary and not a mandatory license required to practice. Accordingly, ARDMS is unable to set rules or guidelines as to what tests and procedures sonographers are permitted to perform in the workplace (for example: signing, placing, and entering surgical pathology orders for patients). It is up to the employer as to what types of procedures they allow their employees to perform. Employers make such decisions based on a variety of factors (facility accreditation standards, insurance reimbursement requirements, applicable state laws, etc.).

Click on the links below to view the ultrasound scope of practice/performance practice guidelines maintained by the following professional societies and/or regulatory bodies:

ARDMS creates the global standards of professional excellence in sonography. The ARDMS Compliance Policies set forth the grounds under which Applicants, Candidates, and Registrants may be subject to compliance action, which may result in sanctions impacting their eligibility for certification and/or their active certification status.

ARDMS Applicants, Candidates, and Registrants acting outside of their scope of practice and demonstrating a careless or willful disregard for the health, welfare, or safety of a patient are subject to compliance action in accordance with Standard 1.9 of the ARDMS Compliance Policies.

Learn more about the ARDMS Compliance Policies.