How to become an ultrasound technician or sonographer

Ultrasound technicians, also known as sonographers, are your friendly healthcare detectives who use sound waves to explore the inner workings of your body, from investigating health concerns to presenting the thrilling first glimpse of new life.

Because ultrasounds are non-invasive, they are often among the first tests a doctor requests, which places ultrasound techs and sonographers at the center of the medical team. Although ultrasound technicians need to be able to determine what is abnormal, they are not responsible for making a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Be it in hospitals, physicians’ offices, diagnostic laboratories, fetal medicine clinics, or standalone sonography clinics, an ultrasound technician’s expertise is in high demand. To sweeten the deal, some enjoy a flexible work schedule – a rare commodity in the healthcare industry.

Ultrasound techs only need an associate degree, yet the role commands a relatively high salary due to the technical skills required.

Aspiring to play a crucial role in healthcare without the arduous journey of medical school? A career in sonography, with its minimal educational prerequisites and flourishing job prospects, could be your ideal pathway to making a meaningful impact. Read on to learn how to become an ultrasound technician.

5 steps to becoming an ultrasound tech or sonographer

Here are the 5 steps to becoming an ultrasound tech/sonographer. Note that only steps 1 and 2 are mandatory for getting started as an ultrasound technician.

Step 1: Take math and science classes in high school

Focusing on science coursework in high school can give you a better chance of getting into an associate degree program, while strong grades may increase the range of programs you are eligible for.

The following high school classes can help you to meet the prerequisites for admission into a sonography degree program:

• 1-2 years of biology, preferably with a lab component
• 1-2 years of chemistry, also with a lab component
• physics
• 4 years of English classes
• 3-4 years of math, preferably including algebra, geometry, and precalculus or calculus
• at least 2 years of social sciences, including history, sociology, geography, or psychology

Generally speaking, it is beneficial to take as many science courses as possible. If Advanced Placement (AP) coursework is available, this can be excellent preparation for a sonography program.

Step 2: Get an associate’s degree

The typical education required to become an ultrasound technician is a 2-year associate degree – usually an Associate of Applied Science (AAS).

Associate degree programs generally incorporate clinical rotations supervised by qualified ultrasound techs. Future employers may ask for references from your rotation supervisors, so it is important to make a good impression.

An AAS in sonography prepares you for entry-level jobs like scanning pregnant women in an OB/GYN office, vascular exams at a cardiology office, or inpatient work at a hospital. The average salary for a diagnostic medical sonographer with an associate degree is $75,380 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Step 3 – Get a bachelor’s degree (optional)

Although a bachelor’s degree is not required to become an ultrasound technician or sonographer, it could expand your career options.

Most bachelor’s programs are called diagnostic medical sonography (DMS). Coursework focuses on biology, anatomy and physiology, medical practice, math, and physics. A 1-year clinical internship is often included.

During a bachelor’s degree, students may be able to choose an area of specialization. This provides additional classroom and practical experience in a specific area of sonography. Examples include abdominal sonography, vascular sonography, echocardiography, and obstetrics/gynecology.

» Read: The best universities in the US

Step 4 – Get certified (optional)

At the time of writing, licensure is only mandatory in New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon. However, many employers prefer hiring licensed ultrasound technicians.

The most common certification follows the sonography principles and instrumentation (SPI) exam, administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

After passing the SPI and specialty exams, ultrasound technicians receive the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS) credential.

Step 5 – Continue your education

Some ultrasound technicians choose to take other specialty certification exams; for example, certificates to become a:

• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
• Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS)
• Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT)
• Midwife Sonographer

What do ultrasound technicians do?

An ultrasound technician operates ultrasound machines to create images of patients’ bodies, aiding physicians in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions.

People often think about ultrasounds in the context of pregnancy. While this is a key area for ultrasounds, doctors also use them to look at the following body systems:

• liver, including blood flow through the hepatic veins
• heart and blood vessels, including valve problems and congestive heart failure
• bladder and kidneys
• spleen
• pancreas
• thyroid and parathyroid glands
• uterus and ovaries
• testicles
• brain, hips, and spine in infants

In many cases, ultrasound technicians are called upon to evaluate the cause of pain or swelling in an affected area. Their skills help to screen for major medical problems. For example, ultrasound is often used in addition to mammography to detect breast cancer.

Ultrasound technicians sometimes assist physicians with medical procedures. For example, taking images to guide needle biopsies to remove cells from suspected cancerous mass.

An ultrasound technician may also be present in the operating room during organ transplant procedures to detect rates of blood flow to the new organ. Given the variety of roles ultrasound technicians and sonographers play, they can be found in most medical settings.

How hard is it to become an ultrasound technician or sonographer?

Compared to other allied health professions, becoming an ultrasound technician or sonographer requires less education. Most ultrasound techs have an associate degree in ultrasound technology. This typically takes 2 years to complete and includes an internship to give students on-the-job training.

How long does it take to become an ultrasound tech or sonographer?

Generally, it takes 2 years post-high school to become an ultrasound technician via an associate degree. However, options exist for healthcare professionals seeking specialization in sonography with 1-year certificate programs. Alternatively, pursuing a 4-year bachelor’s degree can provide broader career prospects.