How to Earn the ARDMS Breast Specialty Credential:
A Step by Step Guide   

• Have an RDMS
• Hold another ARDMS (RDCS, RVT)  credential, OR
• Are an RT (who has completed a full-time 2-year RT program), or other health care professional who’s completed a 2-year program

Here are the basics of what you’ll need to do to earn the ARDMS Breast Specialty credential. There are separate sets of instructions, depending on your current status. Just click on the appropriate link: RDMS, hold another ARDMS credential, or RT. (The underlined items are Web links that will take you to a site that includes explanatory material on these topics.)

But don’t forget that this information is just that – the basics. You’ll need to call and ask for a copy of the ARDMS "Information & Examination Application Booklet" (800-541-9754) to get a full listing of what you’ll need to do.

Application Procedure for RDMS Certificants

If you already have your RDMS, here’s what you’ll need to do to earn the Breast Specialty credential.

According to ARDMS policy, if you are applying for certification in a new specialty area (Breast Specialty, in this case), you are considered a "reapplicant." The essential requirement for ARDMS’ approval to take the Breast Specialty examination is an original letter confirming the length your experience in this new specialty area: six months of full-time clinical experience. (The recommended number of completed breast ultrasound cases is approximately 400.)

1. As a first step in preparing for the Breast Specialty exam, review the Content Outline for the Breast Exam that’s included on the ARDMS website, making special note of those areas of breast ultrasound that you’ll need to learn more about.

2. If you find that it’s necessary, you can learn more about breast ultrasound from one or more of the ARDMS-approved CME providers that now offer training in this specialty area. Or, you can take a breast ultrasound exam review/refresher course from one of the vendors that offer Registry review courses. Please note that inclusion in this list in no way implies approval or endorsement by the ARDMS; it is included for informational purposes only.
   
   Also, many schools and universities provide instruction in breast ultrasound. You may want to see if one of these programs fits your current needs for training, and offers a convenient location and schedule for you. 

3. Call ARDMS, at (800) 541-9754, and request a copy of the ARDMS "Information & Application Booklet." Then, fill in the application form that is included with it.
   
   As noted above, you will also need to provide ARDMS with an original letter from a supervising physician or supervising sonographer in your facility, verifying your 6 months of clinical experience in performing breast ultrasound procedures. (The recommended number of cases, for reapplicants, is approximately 400.)
   
   Mail the original letter, the application form, and all required fees, as listed in the "Application Booklet."

4. If ARDMS determines that you are an eligible candidate, we’ll send you a letter indicating the specific 90-day window for scheduling, and sitting for, the ARDMS computer-based Breast Specialty examination at one of the sites of our test vendor, ASI.

[Another ARDMS credential]

Application Procedure If You Have the RVT or RDCS Credential

If you currently hold the ARDMS RVT or RDCS credential, but not the RDMS:

1. According to ARDMS policy, if you are applying for certification in a new specialty area (Breast, in this case), you are considered a "reapplicant."

2. You will need to take two ARDMS examinations—the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Examination required for the RDMS—and the Breast Specialty exam.
   
   You can find out what’s covered in this physics/instrumentation test by reviewing the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Content Outline for this test, on the ARDMS Website.
   
   Once you feel that you’ve mastered the material that will be included in the exam, you can test your knowledge by taking the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Practice Exam, for a small fee. You can take this exam as many times as you like! The questions for each individual Practice Test are randomly selected from a large test-question database, at the time you take the test.
   

3. Review the Breast Exam Content Outline that is included on this Website, making special note of those areas of breast ultrasound that you need to learn more about.
   

4. If you feel you may need it, take courses in breast ultrasound. To see a list of some of the course titles now available on breast ultrasound, click here. Please note that inclusion in this list in no way implies approval or endorsement by the ARDMS; it is provided for informational purposes only.
   

5. Call ARDMS, at (800) 541-9754, and request a copy of the ARDMS "Information & Application Booklet." Then, fill in the application form that is included with it.
   
   You will also need a letter from a supervising physician or sonographer in your facility, verifying the length of your 6 months of full-time clinical experience in performing clinical breast ultrasound procedures. (The recommended number of completed breast ultrasound cases, for reapplicants, is approximately 400.)
   
   Mail to ARDMS the original letter, the application form, and all required fees, as noted in the "Application Booklet."
   
   Both academic clinical training and clinical procedures performed on patients count as experience for this requirement. But the majority of this experience should be obtained in the clinic.
   

6. If ARDMS determines that you are an eligible candidate, we’ll send you a letter indicating the specific 90-day window for scheduling, and sitting for, the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation examination and/or the Breast Specialty examination. All ARDMS examinations are computer-based; our test vendor is ASI.
   
   You can take the examinations in any order. And you don’t have to take both tests on the same day. There’s only one requirement: you must take, and pass, both examinations within 5 years to earn a credential, or you will forfeit the passed examination you did take, and you will have to take it again.

[RT or other healthcare professional]

Application Procedure for RTs or other health care professionals, who have completed a full-time, 2-year program

1. As an RT, you can apply to sit for the RDMS examination, and the Breast Specialty examination, if you have already completed a full-time 2-year RT program or the other types of health care professions’ programs noted on the ARDMS Website.

2. You will need to take two ARDMS examinations—the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Examination required for the RDMS—and the Breast Specialty exam.

3. You must also accumulate 12 calendar months of full-time experience in breast ultrasound (at least 35 hours per week; at least 48 weeks per year).
   

4. To prepare for the required Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Examination, you can study one of the excellent texts on this subject. It may also be helpful to take one or the review courses offered by multiple vendors, at many sites throughout the country. Please note that inclusion in these lists in no way implies approval or endorsement by the ARDMS; the lists are provided for informational purposes only.
   
   Next, you can find out what’s covered in this physics/instrumentation test by reviewing the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Content Outline for this test, on this Website.
   
   Once you feel that you’ve mastered the material that will be included in the exam, you can test your knowledge by taking the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation Practice Exam, for a small fee. You can take this exam as many times as you like! The questions for each individual Practice Test are randomly selected from a large test-question database, at the time you take the test.
   

5. Take courses in breast ultrasound. To see a list of some of the course titles now available on breast ultrasound, click here. Please note that inclusion in this list in no way implies approval or endorsement by the ARDMS; it is provided for informational purposes only.
   

6. Call ARDMS, at (800) 541-9754, and ask for a copy of the ARDMS "Information & Application Booklet."
   
   After you’ve read the booklet, fill in the application form that is included with it, and mail the form, plus all required fees, and documentation of your education and experience.
   
   If you plan to take both the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation examination and the Breast Ultrasound Specialty exam, you will need to provide ARDMS with documentation for a total of 12 credit hours in breast ultrasound physics and/or ultrasound physics. If you plan to take just the Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation exam, you must furnish documentation for 12 CMEs in ultrasound physics. Note that this requirement does not have to be met if you already have a Bachelors degree [link to ARDMS website, "Application Booklet" section - Prerequisite chart]
   
   This documentation must also include a letter from your supervising physician and/or supervising sonographer or technologist verifying the length of your clinical experience in breast ultrasound. (The recommended number of completed breast ultrasound cases, for new applicants, is 800.)

7. If ARDMS determines that you are an eligible candidate, we’ll send you a letter indicating the specific 90-day window for scheduling, and sitting for, the Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation examination and/or the Breast Specialty examination with the ARDMS computer-based test vendor, ASI.
   
   You can take the examinations in any order. And you don’t have to take both tests on the same day. There’s only one requirement: you must take, and pass, both examinations within 5 years to earn a credential, or you will forfeit the passed examination that you did take, and will have to take it again.

For finding ultrasound courses, we used a popular web search engine. We suggest that, after reviewing the list, you perform your own search, using search terms such as "breast," "ultrasound," and "course," and perhaps come up with dates and locations most suitable to your particular needs and schedule.

• Examples: Texts – Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation

Note: These books, as well as those listed below, are available via the major Internet booksellers, such as www.amazon.com and www.bn.com

Physics and Instrumentation of Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, by Peter J. Fish

Diagnostic Ultrasound, by Hoskins et al

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, by David L. Hykes

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, by Wayne R. Hedrick et al.

Fundamental Physics of Ultrasound, by V.A. Shutilov

Doppler Ultrasound: Physics, Instrumental, and Clinical Applications, 3rd edition, by David H. Evans et al.

Essentials of Ultrasound Physics, by James A. Zagzebski

Understanding Ultrasound Physics: Fundamentals and Exam Review, by Sidney K. Edelman

• Examples: Review Course Providers – Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation

The Burwin Institute
www.burwin.org
1-877-625-5297

Thomas Jefferson University
http://jeffline.tju.edu
1-888-390-5051

ESP, Inc. (Sidney K. Edelman)
www.esp-inc.com
1-281-292-9400

Keith Mauney & Associates
www.kmatheatre.com
1-800-335-3484

Advanced Ultrasound Seminars
www.well.com/user.aus
1-800-822-3535

MedEd Interactive [Internet based]
www.medinteractive.com
1-888-639-0817

• Examples of Texts- Breast Ultrasound

Breast Ultrasound: A Systematic Approach to Technique and Image Interpretation, by Christof Sohn, et al.

Ultrasound Diagnosis of Breast Diseases, by Ericko Tohno, et al.

The Practice of Breast Ultrasound: Techniques, Findings, Differential Diagnosis, by Helmut Madjar, Jack Jellins

Teaching Atlas of Breast Ultrasound, by Dagmar Leucht (editor)

Note: Several of the sources for review sessions on ultrasound physics and instrumentation, listed above, also offer courses and review for the breast exam. Check the websites, or call the numbers listed, for details.

Listed here are several additional organizations that offer instruction in breast ultrasound, specifically.

Michener Institute
Distance learning courses in breast ultrasound
www.michener.on.ca/disted/courses/ultra.htm
1-416-596-3101

Harvard University
Ultrasound/"Women’s Imaging" (includes one day of "Breast Imaging")
www.radcme.harvard.edu/courses/ultasound.htm
1-617-432-1525

Radiology Imaging Associates
www.ria-edu.com
5-day course, "Breast Imaging and Intervention in the 21st Century"
2-day course, "Breast Ultrasound" for radiologists and RTs
1-303-721-6012

AHEC online
www.aheconline.com
1-day course, "Breast Ultrasound"
1-800-239-1361

I-Bus/Phoenix
2-day course, "Breast Ultrasound for Physicians, Technologists"
www.ibus.org/breastultrasound
1-888-307-7892

Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute
1-day course, "Breast Sonography"
www.gcus.com
1-800-619-1900

Great Lakes Sonography, Inc.
Courses and "refreshers" in breast ultrasound
www.greatlakessonography.com
1-262-784-9221

MTMI
1-day course, "Breast Ultrasound Registry Review"
www.mtmi.net/seminars/2k/bu_review.htm
1-800-765-6864