How Long Does It Take To Become an Ultrasound Tech?

How long does it take to become an Ultrasound Tech? Becoming an ultrasound technician takes one to four years of commitment to education and training.

In this blog post, you’ll get an understanding of the functions of a diagnostic medical sonographer and the options available to start your career as an ultrasound tech.

Your current level of education or job role will determine the amount of time you’ll use to become an ultrasound technician. As a healthcare professional, you can enroll in a one-year certificate or diploma program to add to your training.

Candidates without healthcare education must choose between two and four-year programs depending on their career goals. Please note that you should check if the school is accredited by the CAAHEP or the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS).

How Long Does It Take To Become An Ultrasound Tech? No matter how long it takes, ensure the school chosen offers hands-on training, a comprehensive education, financial aid assistance, and qualifies students to earn certification. 

Aspiring Ultrasound technicians will also undergo externships that will provide hands-on, real-world education.

Read Also: How Much Does an Ultrasound Tech Make with Three (3) Proven Ways to Achieve it?

How do you become an ultrasound tech?

After knowing how long it takes to become an Ultrasound Tech, you should know what you need to become one. You can become a sonographer through education, clinical work, and pass a certifying exam.

Suppose you want to know how to become an ultrasound technician. In that case, you should get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree by taking courses in physical and biological science, patient care, medical imaging, and more. 

Suppose you want to know how to become an ultrasound technician through the clinical work route. In that case, you should complete 960 hours of training or the equivalent of holding a full-time job for six months. It helps aspiring ultrasound technicians gain experience and allows them to utilize the skills gained in the learning center. It can be in the form of internships.

Finally, you can become an ultrasound technician by getting certified after meeting the minimum education and clinical training requirements. The following exams certify:

1. Abdomen (AB) exam to earn Registered Medical Sonographer (RDMS)
2. Obstetrics and gynecology (OB/gyn) exam to earn RDMS
3. Adult echocardiography (AE) exam to earn Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS)
4. Cardiac Exams to Become Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS)

What does an Ultrasound Tech do?

Since you know how long it takes to become an Ultrasound Tech, you should know it is worth it as you’ll learn to operate special equipment to see the fetus before it’s detectable on an abdominal ultrasound. 

With their communication and interpersonal skills, sonographers inform patients about procedures and communicate findings to physicians. They also use equipment to capture images of organs and body tissues. They carry it out in healthcare settings such as hospitals and offices of physicians.

Please, note that their imaging machines use sound waves instead of radiation to diagnose specific ailments or detect fetal abnormalities and congenital disabilities.