Important Notice Regarding COVID-19

We are currently accepting applications for all on-demand and open windowed examinations.

Due to COVID-19 our staff is currently working remotely.  So as to not delay the review of your application, all documents need to be uploaded to your MY ARDMS account. Please do not mail or fax in any application documents at this time. To upload application documents please log-in to your MY ARDMS account. You can access the “Upload Documents” option under “My Resources.” Please select the “Application Documents” file type.

Despite many nationwide test center closures, Pearson VUE has worked closely with the owners of test programs for essential medical services to find an alternative solution that would allow for the testing in these critical fields to continue, to support the high demand due to COVID-19. Among the examinations that were deemed critical and therefore approved to continue testing are the ARDMS SPI, AB, AE, PE, VT examinations and the APCA PVI examination. These examinations have been identified as being in fields that are critical to support COVID-19 patient care.

As a result, Pearson VUE is opening a limited number of Pearson Professional Centers where possible in major metropolitan areas across the United States and Canada. Those with a previously scheduled, but cancelled, appointment in one of the above noted examinations are welcome to follow the scheduling instructions in the Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) to schedule an appointment at this time.

For ARDMS and APCA examinations NOT noted above, Pearson VUE is working to expand additional availability as quickly as possible.

Important: Pearson VUE is following government guidelines for social distancing and limiting the number of individuals, including staff, in the test center at any time. As a result of these measures, appointment availability will be extremely limited, and scheduling will take time.

Message from Pearson VUE: Starting Tuesday, March 17,  test delivery is suspended at all U.S.- and Canada-based Pearson VUE-owned test centers for 30 days until April 16. Learn more. Test delivery is currently suspended in Australia, Mainland China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Istanbul, Turkey, Tel Aviv, Israel and Sau Paulo, Brazil, with South Korea reducing the number of candidates allowed to test at Pearson VUE testing centers and temperature tests being administered at Singapore testing centers. All other testing centers remain open, although candidates who exhibit symptoms may be asked to reschedule their examination for another time when they are in full health.

In response to this latest update, we are proactively extending the eligibility of our on-demand examination(s) through August 31, 2020.

Please check back regularly as more conferences and volunteer meetings may be cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19.

Conference Cancellations

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Volunteer Meeting Cancellations

*Virtual Status TBD

Please check back regularly as more conferences and volunteer meetings may be cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19.

Your sonographer peers are sharing insightful and timely information about the latest practice updates via the ARDMS COVID-19 Facebook Community.  Please use this resource to connect with others and share guidance and resources.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

Decisions regarding Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) rest with Federal and State governments, local public health authorities and within the practice/institutional level.

Discontinuation of Non-Essential Ultrasounds:

Many states and localities are issuing directives on non-essential surgeries and medical procedures.  Some practices and institutions are also creating new guidelines for elective and non-critical care.  Please check with your local or state government, medical authority and/or practice/institution regarding non-essential ultrasound studies.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
–Infection Prevention for Healthcare Workers
–How to Prepare and Take Action for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings
World Health Organization (WHO)
–Q&A on Coronaviruses
Johns Hopkins University
–COVID-19 Global Case Tracker

The above are only a few of the resources that we utilize to monitor the ongoing situation. If you have found a resource that has been helpful to you, please contact our Customer Care Team at Communications@ARDMS.org so we can share with our community as necessary. In the meantime, reduce your chances of being infected and/or spreading COVID-19 by taking these simple precautions as outlined by the CDC:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going the bathroom; before eating; and blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or bent elbow and dispose of the tissue immediately.
• Maintain at least 1-meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
  • Only use a mask if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Masks do not help against becoming infected, only against the spreading of the disease, and should be saved for patients who have been infected and the health care providers treating them.

ARDMS stands with the Registrant and sonography community in calling for PPEs and limiting elective sonography studies. To help you advocate for immediate change at your practice setting, please download and share this letter with your employer, healthcare administrators and others. Please access the ARDMS letter here.

Similar letters from AIUM, SDMS, and other healthcare organizations have been sent to government officials, regulatory bodies and the medical community. Please have these letters accompany the ARDMS letter as further evidence of the need for PPEs and limiting exams.

In efforts to support our Registrants and ease their burden during these unprecedented times, we are delaying the CME Audit by one month. At this time, the CME Audit will begin in mid-April however, we will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and consider additional changes as needed. Updates will be posted on ARDMS.org, MY ARDMS and social media.

Please note that changes to your CME period dates are directly tied to the CME Audit and will be delayed as well. For example, if your CME period is 1/1/2017 – 12/31/2019, when we run the CME Audit selection, your CME period will update as appropriate.