SPI: Who Am I

In spring 2009, ARDMS will introduce the new Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination. The SPI examination will meet the fundamental principles and instrumentation requirements for the RDMS, RDCS, and RVT credentials.

Not sure how the new SPI examination will affect you? Don�t Worry! *ARDMS has created this informational article to guide you in the right direction!

Using the links below, find the one that best relates to your current situation and find out how the new SPI examination will affect you.

Currently, I�

Am an active Registrant

Passed only a physics examination (not SPI) before Spring 2009

Passed only a specialty examination before spring 2009

Am a student

Am considering earning a credential in 2008/2009

Must earn a credential prior to Spring 2009 (my employer is requiring it)

Am an active Registrant: The ARDMS would like to assure active Registrants that they are not required to take the SPI examination to maintain current credentials. Active Registrants will only need to take the SPI examination if they want to earn a new credential.

Say, for example, that you currently hold the RDMS credential - meaning you passed the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation (UPI) examination and a corresponding specialty such as Abdomen (AB)*. In the summer of 2009, after the release of the SPI examination, you decide that you want to earn the RDCS credential. To do so, you will need to take the SPI examination and a cardiac specialty examination (Adult, Pediatric, or Fetal Echocardiography) to obtain the RDCS credential. Then, if you decide in the future to obtain the RVT credential, you would only be required to take and pass the Vascular Technology (VT) examination as you have already taken and passed the SPI examination. Registrants wanting to earn additional specialties within an existing credential will only need to take the specialty examination.

*If a registrant wishes to earn an additional specialty within their current credential (ex. OB/GYN) they DO NOT have to take and pass the SPI examination.

Passed only a physics examination (not SPI) before Spring 2009: Candidates who have passed a physics examination (UPI, CPI, VPI) still need to take a specialty examination to earn a credential. Once a credential is earned (and the person becomes an active Registrant), then additional specialty examinations can be taken. Just as is the case now, once a credential is earned, Registrants can go onto earn additional specialties with in that credential. Active Registrants will only need to take the SPI examination if they want to earn a new credential.

Passed only a specialty examination before spring 2009: Say someone passed their Adult Echocardiography examination and as of Spring of 2009 has not yet passed the Cardiac Physics & Instrumentation (CPI) examination. Upon the release of SPI, any future attempts by that person to take/pass a physics examination would be done so by taking the SPI examination. The CPI examination would no longer be offered nor would any of the other physics examinations. As of Spring 2009, only the SPI will be offered.

Am a student: Students in a sonography/vascular technology related program, who can document successful completion of a physics class with a grade of C or better, or a physics review course, will be permitted to apply for and take the SPI examination prior to graduation. Students may begin applying for the SPI examination in 2009. Additional details, including specific prerequisite information and the date applications will begin to be accepted will be posted on ARDMS.org.

Am considering earning a credential in 2008/2009: New applicants, candidates and Registrants that are working towards earning ARDMS credentials may wish to focus on taking multiple specialty examinations over the next year. Upon the release of the SPI examination in spring 2009, those who have taken and passed specialty examinations and the new SPI examination will have the unique opportunity of earning multiple credentials, without duplicating efforts relating to credential specific physics examinations.

Must earn a credential prior to Spring 2009 (my employer is requiring it) : New applicants and candidates who are required to earn a new credential prior to the release of the SPI examination in Spring 2009 will need to follow the current examination pathways (specific physical principles and instrumentation and the corresponding specialty examinations).

ARDMS will share more detailed information regarding the SPI examination with Registrants, educators, students, and the sonography community over the coming months through postings on the ARDMS website (www.ARDMS.org) , e-mails, newsletters, and press releases.

*Please note that the information above does not relate to the logistics or processes of the examination, it serves only to guide Registrants, students, educators, candidates and prospects in the right direction. All this and more can be found at www.ARDMS.org.