{"id":9071,"date":"2025-01-27T15:00:45","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T15:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/?p=9071"},"modified":"2025-03-31T15:44:51","modified_gmt":"2025-03-31T15:44:51","slug":"how-to-become-a-sonography-technician","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vivian.com\/community\/allied-health\/how-to-become-a-sonography-technician\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a Sonography Technician"},"content":{"rendered":"

If a future career in medical imaging with ultrasound interests you, read on to learn how to become a sonography technician. Sonography is one of the <\/span>fastest-growing healthcare fields<\/span><\/a>, slated to offer excellent job security over the next decade. It provides an opportunity to work one-on-one with patients, often in relaxed outpatient settings where you can get to know them. You\u2019ll find good pay and plenty of advancement opportunities through specialized training and certification. Vivian Health explores how to start as a sonography technician and then advance in this in-demand career.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Sonography?<\/b><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve likely heard of sonography under its more common name, ultrasound. It\u2019s a medical imaging field that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the body. This technique is commonly used during pregnancy care when expectant mothers get their first glimpse of their babies. However, sonography is also beneficial in diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions for any patient of any age or sex. It\u2019s regularly used in cardiology, musculoskeletal care, oncology and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sonographers operate ultrasound equipment, explain procedures to patients and ensure their comfort during imaging. Later, they interpret images and submit their preliminary findings to physicians. They also maintain patient records and calibrate ultrasound equipment as routine parts of the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Echo-Vascular<\/p>\n

Sonography Technician vs. Sonography Technologist<\/b><\/h3>\n

Learning how to become a sonography <\/span>technician<\/span><\/i> is often a first step toward ultimately becoming a sonography <\/span>technologist.<\/span><\/i> A sonography technician is an ultrasound generalist who has earned the required associate degree in sonography. After graduating, a technician completes a practicum period working with patients and is ready to operate ultrasound equipment without supervision. On the other hand, a sonography <\/span>technologist, <\/span><\/i>also known as a sonographer, has taken the additional step of earning a general certification in the field of ultrasound<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

General certification for an <\/span>Ultrasound <\/span>Technologist<\/span><\/i><\/a> can be earned via the<\/span> American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography<\/span><\/a> (ARDMS) or the<\/span> American Registry of Radiologic Technologists<\/span><\/a> (AART). Either sonography certification can help make you more employable, provide better job security and open doors to higher-paying positions within ultrasound.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because most states don\u2019t require a sonographer technician license, certification is the most direct way to prove your skills to potential employers. The two general certifications offered by ARDMS and AART also allow for additional <\/span>specialty <\/span><\/i>credentials to work with specific body systems or patient populations.<\/span><\/p>\n

ARDMS offers the following specialty credentials:<\/span><\/p>\n