RDMS - RVT - VT - RVT Vascular Technology (ARDMS)

  • Cost $275
  • Renews every year

COURSE FORMAT

Online
In Person

About

To earn a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential with a Vascular Technology (VT) specialty, applicants must pass the VT exam and the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam within 5 years. Both of these exams are administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The VT exam tests sonography professionals in physical principles and instrumentation knowledge, skills and abilities in the field. This certification is tailored for sonographers specializing in vascular technology, focusing on the evaluation of blood vessels and blood flow using ultrasound equipment.

Eligibility

To sit for the VT examination, first-time applicants must select a prerequisite meeting their education and clinical experience, which includes:

  • Prerequisite 1: Complete a 2-year patient-care-related  allied health education program and 12 months of full-time clinical vascular experience

  • Prerequisite 2: Graduated from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) education program that conducts programmatic accreditation for vascular technology.

  • Prerequisite 3A: Bachelor’s degree in any major and 12 months of full-time clinical vascular experience

  • Prerequisite 3B: Bachelor’s degree in vascular technology.


Completion Time: 3 hours, including 5-minute survey

Cost: $275, includes a nonrefundable $100 processing fee

Course Format

Exam Format

The VT exam assesses the applicant's knowledge, skills and abilities in the anatomy and hemodynamics of cerebrovascular, venous, peripheral and abdominal blood vessels. Applicants have 3 hours to complete the exam, including a 5-minute survey. The exam has approximately 170 multiple-choice questions, including Advanced Item Type/Hotspot questions that assess and measure the applicant’s practical sonography skills. All questions fall under the domains and subdomains listed in the VT Exam Content Outline

Applicants receive a Pass/Fail decision and a scaled score running from 300 to 700. They must achieve a scaled score of 555 to pass the VT exam.

In Person

Administered at Pearson VUE testing centers. When you arrive at a test center, be prepared to:

  • Check-in with a Test Center Administrator

  • Present one valid photo identification

  • Provide digital signature

  • Undergo palm vein scan

  • Have a test-day photograph taken

Online

Applicants can take the VT exam online from home any time throughout the year through OnVue. Following exam completion, it can take up to one hour to receive an email explaining how to receive the results.

Certification

Application Process

  • Log into your online ARDMS account and choose “Apply Online.”

  • Complete the online application form and submit payment.

  • Choose a prerequisite under which to apply if you’re a first-time applicant.

  • Gather supporting documentation and submit it with the application

  • Upload documentation to your ARDMS account, click the “My Resources” tab, then “Upload Documents.”

  • Receive an email containing an Examination Confirmation Letter.

  • Contact Pearson VUE to schedule the VT exam during the 90-day eligibility period.

Renewal

The VT certification must renewed annually by attesting that you’re in compliance with all ARDMS policies and remain in good standing. Renewal includes accruing the required number of ARDMS-accepted credit hours by the end of the appropriate three-year Continuing Medical Education (CME) period.

Renewal Fees

Renewal fees must be paid online with a credit card. Renewal fees are due annually and include:

  • $95 due by December 31st

  • $95 + $150 Administrative Fee for late renewals submitted by February 28/29th

  • $95 + $300 Reinstatement Fee for late renewals submitted by August 1st

Continuing Education

VT certification holders must complete CME requirements in 3-year cycles. The minimum required number of ARDMS/APCA-accepted CMEs to maintain the VT certification is 30 if renewal is submitted by the December 31st deadline. For those who renew late after the February 28/29th deadline, CME credits increase to 40.

Other Resources

ARDMS offers a VT Practice Test simulating the computer interface used in the actual test center. This practice test review has 30 sample questions and is 30 minutes long. Applicants may register for the practice test from their online account. Other ARDMS resources include:

Related Certifications

The ARDMS also offers the following certifications:

  • RDMS Abdomen (AB)

  • RDMS Fetal Echocardiography (FE)

  • RDMS Pediatric Sonography (PS)

  • RDMS Musculoskeletal Sonography (RDMS-RMSKS)

  • RDMS Breast (BR)

  • RDMS Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)

  • Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI)

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Frequently asked questions

Can I earn a RDMS-RVT-VT online?

Yes you can earn a RDMS-RVT-VT online.

What organization offers the RDMS-RVT-VT?

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) offers the RDMS-RVT-VT.

What other certifications does the ARDMS offer besides the RDMS-RVT-VT?

The ARDMS also offers the following certifications:

  • RDMS Abdomen (AB)

  • RDMS Fetal Echocardiography (FE)

  • RDMS Pediatric Sonography (PS)

  • RDMS Musculoskeletal Sonography (RDMS-RMSKS)

  • RDMS Breast (BR)

  • RDMS Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)

  • Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI)

How often do I need to renew my ARDMS RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) certification?

You must renew your ARDMS RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) every year.

When do I find out if I passed the ARDMS RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) exam?

Examinees will receive a report of their score at the testing center on completion of the ARDMS RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) exam. An official results report will be available on your MY ARDMS account within one week of the exam.

How many candidates passed the ARDMS RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) certification exam in 2022?

The overall pass rate for the ARDMS RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) certification exam was 60% and first-time test takers had a pass rate of 66% in 2022. The more you prepare the more likely it is that you'll pass the exam.

Can I keep my ARDMS RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) certification if I plan to retire from practice?

The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) offers Retired Status to RDMS Vascular Technology (RVT-VT) certification holders that are fully retired. There is no annual fee or CME requirements for Retired Status.