Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer® (RDCS®)
Administered by ARDMS
Road to Certification
Earning RDCS® certification is a multi-step process.
Prerequisites
RDCS® certification requires the SPI exam and your choice of specialty exam(s). Check to make sure you have the education and practical experience to support your certification, too.
Apply
Use your online account to apply, upload documents, and pay for the exam.
Why Choose RDCS
RDCS raises the standard of cardiac ultrasound practice internationally to promote best practices for enhanced patient safety.
RDCS certification requires the SPI exam and one cardiac specialty exam.
Plus one of the following
Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
The SPI exam is the foundation for all ARDMS certifications. It tests your knowledge of basic sonography principles and ability with instrumentation.
SPI Required?
Price
$275 USD
Application Window
Year-Round
Examination Window
Year-Round
Adult Echocardiography
The AE exam will test your knowledge of normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy.
SPI Required?
Price
$300 USD
Application Window
Year-Round
Examination Window
Year-Round
Fetal Echocardiography
The Fetal Echocardiography (FE) exam will test your knowledge of cardiographic principles as they apply to fetal patients.
SPI Required?
Price
$300 USD
Application Window
June 16, 2026 – August 25, 2026
Examination Window
September 8, 2026 – October 1, 2026
Pediatric Echocardiography
The Pediatric Sonography (PS) exam will test your knowledge of various systems in pediatric patients.
SPI Required?
Price
$300 USD
Application Window
July 21, 2026 – September 29, 2026
Examination Window
October 13, 2026 – November 5, 2026
RDCS® raises the standards
- RDCS opens doors to specialized roles in echo labs, pediatric cardiac imaging, and fetal echocardiography.
- Hospitals, imaging centers, and specialty practices worldwide recognize RDCS for quality imaging and a commitment to patient safety.
- Stand out for a wide range of cardiac-focused teams–including a competitive edge for senior roles, supervisory positions, and higher pay.
Continual learning
RDCS® certified sonographers have up-to-date skills and knowledge thanks to our life-long learning approach.
Patient trust
Patients trust the high-quality care and expert abilities of certified practitioners.
Career advancement
Stand out for cardiac-focused opportunities across hospitals, imaging centers, and specialty practices.