Celebrating 50 Years of ARDMS

HALF A CENTURY IN FOCUS

Join us in celebrating 50 years of sonography excellence.

Since 1975, ARDMS has united sonographers in a community built on quality care and patient safety, making certification more than a one-time test.

50 years of tireless, exceptional practice. 50 years of elevating patient care, every day. And 50 years of moving the profession forward, together.

We're proud to be part of this community, working to advance the field through evolving technology, elevating standards, and ultimately, passion in practice. Together, we've achieved something remarkable: a milestone that belongs to all of us. Here's to tomorrow, and to a vision for innovation and excellence without limits.

50 years–it's more than a number.

It captures countless moments of care, compassion, and innovation that have defined our journey, together. YOU have made this possible: the sonographers and physicians who chose–who choose–the long days, the hard work, and the commitment to the profession. You prove that together, we are stronger, more resilient, and more dedicated to excellence than ever."

Luciana Young, MD
FAHA, FACC, FASE,
INTELEOS CHAIR

Building Our Community

200 candidates sat for the first ARDMS credentialing exam — and the sonography community (113k+) has been growing ever since.

Explore the Milestones that Defined Our Path

200 REGISTRANTS

1975

A small group of dedicated ultrasound pioneers give birth to ARDMS - incorporating in June, 1975. Two hundred candidates take the first credentialing examination in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at the ASUTS/AIUM meeting.

1977

The first regional testing and technical exams are administered in Philadelphia, Winston-Salem, Detroit, and San Francisco.

1979

The first Central Office is established in Cincinnati, Ohio and the University of Cincinnati's Computer Department is hired to handle electronic scoring and record keeping.

The first international ARDMS Registrant was from South Africa.

1980

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is developed and implemented.

A STATUS FOR
5 YEARS

1985

ARDMS earns a class "A" status from the NCHCA for 5 years, achieving credibility as a certifying agency.

1986

Inteleos goes global: the first international exam was administered in Germany.

35,000 Registrants

1987

The Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is developed and implemented.

1990

ARDMS is accepted as the credentialing body for cardiac sonography following the first Cardiovascular Principles and Instrumentation examination.

1991

The first computer-based examination is administered in May.

1995

The ARDMS National Office moves to Rockville, Maryland outside of Washington, D.C.

1996

The first ARDMS simulation pilot study is conducted during the SDMS annual meeting with overwhelmingly positive feedback, and the information is used to design future pilot studies.

1997

The RVT credential receives formal endorsement from the Society of Vascular Technology (SVT), making ARDMS' credential the premier credential for vascular technologists. Subsequently, SDMS and the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) formally endorse ARDMS.

1998

The five-year rule goes into effect: Candidates must complete both a physics examination and a specialty examination within five years in order to earn a credential, regardless of sequence.

The first public website is developed.

2001

ARDMS launches The Breast Cancer and Women's Health Foundation and convenes in person for the first time. ARDMS and SDMS announce a new CME Tracker Program to easily report continuing medical education credits.

2002

Registrants are asked to pay their renewal fees online for the first time.

2005

ARDMS credentialing programs earn ANSI-ISO 17024 accreditation for certifying bodies from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Accreditation is granted through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

ARDMS converts to a CME audit system to verify compliance with CME requirements. ARDMS begins delivering examinations in Ghana, West Africa; and Hong Kong, China.

2009

ARDMS moves to an all-online application process.

Pearson VUE implements a palm vein recognition scan as a requirement in order to safeguard the integrity of ARDMS examinations.

27 LOCATIONS

2011

ARDMS examinations are offered in 27 international test center locations around the world.

2012

The SPI and MSK exams begin featuring Advanced Item Type questions, such as semi-interactive consoles and hotspots, to more closely simulate a hands-on testing environment.

2013

ARDMS administers a PVI-pilot examination in China. ARDMS exhibits at the 2013 Charing Cross (CX) International Symposium in London with representatives of the vascular community from nearly 30 countries.

ARDMS exhibits at the World Congress of World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) in Brazil.

2014

Picture Archive and Communication Simulation (PACSim) items first appear on the PVI exam.

The existing volunteer program evolves to generate more exam content for a wider array of exams and to include a greater diversity of volunteers.

ARDMS begins administering the PVI-China examination in the Mandarin language. A Latin American Task Force is created to investigate and forge relationships so ARDMS can better understand sonography practice in Latin America.

90,000 Registrants

2015

An updated public website is launched.

ARDMS partners with the Federación Latinoamericana de Sociedades de Ultrasonido (FLAUS) to administer Spanish language Abdomen and Obstetrics and Gynecology examinations in Latin America.

2016

Inteleos is formed as the new governing and managing body which oversees ARDMS, APCA and later the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy which was formed in 2017.

Launch of Inteleos Psychometrics Services (IPS) and the Midwife Sonography Certificate

2019

MSK Grand Challenge created through collaboration with AIUM, ASE, IAC, JRC-CVT, JRC-DMS, SVU, SDMS

ARDMS launches digital badges for all Registrant credentials which can be shared across social media

2020

The SPI and MSK exams begin featuring Advanced Item Type questions, such as semi-interactive consoles and hotspots, to more closely simulate a hands-on testing environment.

2022

ARDMS Launches the SKILLS App pilot to support continuous learning and proficiency with online learning and assessment.

The Inteleos Foundation is established to address disparities identified by healthcare providers across the three Inteleos Councils.

Inteleos and local partners hosts the Maternal Health Summit in Nairobi, Kenya

2023

Inteleos presents at the Science Summit during the United Nations General Assembly for the first time

2024

Inteleos and the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) announce partnership to develop contrast-enhanced ultrasound education, training, and assessment program.

Inteleos launches first digital wallets and verified credentials to over 20,000 customers

113,000 Registrants
and Counting!

2025

ARDMS marks their 50th anniversary with 14 registrants having achieved the same milestone - having held their certification for 50 years!!

A Future in Focus

The best of our journey lies ahead. As we celebrate 50 years of progress, ARDMS remains dedicated to shaping the future of sonography.

Elevating Standards: ensuring exceptional patient care through rigorous assessments and industry-defining leadership
Global Lens: promoting best practices worldwide, connecting sonographers across borders
Innovation in Credentialing: empowering sonographers to adapt and thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape
Professional Growth: fostering lifelong learning and opportunity in all kinds of sonography careers
Technology Forward: driving progress in patient care with the power of tech

To all the dedicated sonographers, congratulations on the incredible work you do each day!

Your expertise and commitment to do good bring comfort to countless lives. It's why this path was forged by sonographers 50 years ago, and it's why we're all here today. Thank you for inspiring excellence in healthcare."

Marquita Williams, RDMS,
Executive Director of Organizational Learning & Development at AdventHealth | ARDMS Council Chair

Sonographer Spotlight

Older & Wiser: We asked ARDMS Registrants what advice they would give their younger selves.

Be patient with both your patients and yourself. Suddenly, it will click, and you will know that this is the career you were meant to pursue.”

- Joscelin M., RDCS

You can learn from everyone. Observe how the technicians hold the probe, listen to how they interact with patients, and pay attention to patient positioning. You are going to excel at this; believe in yourself.”

- Melissa R., RDMS, RVT

Leigh Anne B.

A patient I'll never forget

Practice, practice, practice: The hands-on skills you develop are crucial in sonography. Make the most of lab time, and seek out extra practice on different types of cases. Muscle memory and technique are key.”

- Joshua, RDCS, RVT

If you have physicians willing to train you, take advantage of the opportunity. If there are senior sonographers that have tips, listen up and give them a try, it could make you a better sonographer.”

- Stephanie C., RDMS, RVT

Heather R.

What I'm most proud of

Robin T.

What does sonography mean to you?

Always remember who you are, why you're here. Every day is a learning experience. Every person has a story and a family that cares about them. Leave every person you meet feeling better after your encounter. Each patient is my patient; make it count!”

- Andrew Z., RDMS, RVT

VOLUNTEERS

Shaping the
Future of
Sonography

Celebrating the Global Impact of ARDMS Volunteers!

ARDMS was built by sonographers, for sonographers. Since 1975, our dedicated subject matter experts from the US and countries like Canada, Ghana, India, and Nigeria have shared their time and expertise with the ARDMS Volunteer Program. These professionals are the backbone of our community, supporting the highest standards in diagnostic medical ultrasound and patient safety worldwide.

Crafting a Gold Standard

Developing high-quality exam questions

Empowering Growth

Creating support materials for professional development and MOC

Fostering Collaboration

Sharing knowledge, mentorship and leadership skills.

Interested in joining us?

Volunteer Now ›

Support Tomorrow's
Sonographers

Check out our new limited-edition commemorative merchandise, with 10% of all proceeds going to support the Inteleos Foundation's Student Scholarship Fund.

SHOP NOW

By the Numbers

113,000+

ARDMS Registrants

Countries in the ARDMS Community

ARDMS Credentials with 11 Specialties

1.2M

Patients Cared for Daily by ARDMS Certificants

519

Active ARDMS Volunteers

1401 Rockville Pike,
Suite 600,
Rockville, MD 20852-1402

50 Years,50 Free Renewals

Echoes ofExcellence