ARDMS

Clinical Verification FAQs

1. Where can I obtain the clinical verification (CV) forms?
2. How many CV forms are there?
3. Is the CV form required for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) examination?
4. Can I send a copy of the CV form?
5. Does it matter if I send in the correct CV form?
6. How long is the CV form valid?
7. Who can sign the CV forms?
8. If I am unsuccessful in passing an examination and am reapplying, do I have to submit another CV form?
9. If I am applying for certification in a new specialty area, do I have to submit a CV form?
10. In an educational setting, should the program director complete and sign the CV form if he or she is certified in the students applied-for specialty area(s), or should the clinical site be required to sign?
11. What if I fail to include the CV form(s) with my application materials?
12. What if I cannot obtain the required signature from an ARDMS-registered sonographer certified in the applied-for specialty for the standard clinical verification form?

1. Where can I obtain the clinical verification (CV) forms?

The CV forms are available on the ARDMS Web site at ardms.org.

2. How many CV forms are there?

There are currently eight separate CV forms, one for each ARDMS specialty examination (i.e. AB, AE, BR, FE, NE, OB/GYN, PE and VT). Each specialty CV form has a domestic version and an international version depending on what country the applicant resides in.

3. Is the CV form required for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examination?

No. The CV forms are only for the clinical specialty examinations.

4. Can I send a copy of the CV form?

No. The CV forms must contain original initials and signatures. Copies will not be accepted.

5. Does it matter if I send in the correct CV form??

Yes. ARDMS will only accept the appropriate CV form for each application. Each form has different requirements, so it is imperative that the applicant complete and submit the appropriate CV form. If application materials are submitted without the appropriate CV form(s), they will be returned to the applicant and he or she will be charged the $100 USD nonrefundable administrative fee per examination for processing.

6. How long is the CV form valid?

The CV form is valid for one year following the date of signature.

7. Who can sign the CV forms?\

1. The standard CV form must be completed, dated and signed by an ARDMS-registered sonographer or vascular technologist in the applied-for specialty area.
2. The Fetal Echo specialty CV form must be completed and signed by an ARDMS Fetal Echocardiography registered sonographer or primary Fetal Echo interpreting physician.
3. The breast-specialty CV form must be completed and signed by an ARDMS-breast-registered sonographer or primary breast-ultrasound interpreting physician.
4. The International CV Form must be completed and signed by an ARDMS-registered sonographer or vascular technologist in the applied-for specialty area or by a primary interpreting physician in the specialty requested. An International applicant must reside at and possess an International mailing address.

8. If I am unsuccessful in passing an examination and am reapplying, do I have to submit another CV form?

The CV form that was originally submitted is only valid for one year following the date of signature. If you are planning on retaking an examination that you previously did not pass, and the date on the CV form is no longer valid, you must submit another CV form.

9. If I am applying for certification in a new specialty area, do I have to submit a CV form?

Yes. You will only need to submit a completed CV form in the applied-for specialty area.

10. In an educational setting, should the program director complete and sign the CV form if he/she is certified in the students applied-for specialty area(s), or should the clinical site be required to sign?

The responsibility of clinical verification is determined by the program. ARDMS expects the CV form(s) to be complete and properly executed. First-time Applicants must provide documentation of successful program completion. For example: ARDMS will not approve applications if documentation of only 12 months of an 18-month program is submitted.

However, Prerequisite 3B states that sonography or vascular technology degree candidates may take examinations one year prior to the completion of degree, provided they have successfully completed 12 months of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular experience.

11. What if I fail to include the CV form(s) with my application materials?

If application materials are submitted without the appropriate CV form(s), they will be returned to the applicant and he/she will be charged the $100 USD nonrefundable processing fee per examination.

12. What if I cannot obtain the required signature from an ARDMS-registered sonographer certified in the applied-for specialty for the standard clinical verification form?

In rare instances when an applicant may be unable to obtain the required signature from an ARDMS-registered sonographer certified in the applied-for specialty for the standard clinical verification form, an interpreting physician, who has directly observed the applicant perform the applied-for studies and has interpreted the applicant's scans, may act as a qualified signatory on the standard CV form according to the following procedures:

The applicant must send a written appeal to ARDMS providing full detail as to why he or she has been unable to obtain the signature of a qualified sonographer or vascular technologist on the standard clinical verification form.

ARDMS will consider the following reasons as appropriate arguments for appeals:

• Local facilities do not have appropriate ARDMS-registered sonographers and other institutions may be too far away from the applicant for a reasonable commute.
• The number of qualified sponsoring sonographers in the applicant's region is relatively low.

All written CV signature appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Appeals will be considered based on full documentation of the reason why and undue hardship resulting from the inability to obtain an ARDMS-registered sonographer sponsoring signature on the standard CV form in the specialty area being applied for.

If an applicant is awarded an "exception signature appeal", a unique Exception CV Form will be sent to the applicant so that an appropriate interpreting physician can sign the form.

You may recall that interpreting physicians may also sign CV forms for the breast specialty or the fetal echocardiography specialty, and for those who are applying from outside North America (and thus using the International CV form).

Applicants interested in requesting an appeal should send their letter to: ARDMS, ATTN: CV Form Exceptions, 51 Monroe Street, Plaza East One, Rockville, MD 20850.