SPI Required?
Application Window
07/21/2026 - 09/29/2026
Exam Fee
$300 USD
Exam Window
10/13/2026 - 11/05/2026
The Pediatric Echocardiography (PE) exam will test your knowledge of cardiac anatomy, function, and pathology in pediatric patients.
Overview
Hone your skills for hearts with PE.
The exam assesses the basic knowledge, skills, and abilities that every pediatric echocardiography specialist needs:
Topics and Anatomy
- Acquired heart disease
- Congenital anomalies
- Postoperative anatomy
- Normal and abnormal cardiac anatomy, physiology, pathology and hemodynamics
PE is a qualified specialty for RDCS certification. The SPI exam is also required. You must pass both exams within five years of each other, in any order.
Practice Analysis
Quality exams start with a simple purpose: reflect real-world care. We routinely evaluate and update the PE exam to ensure that it captures the requirements of today’s practice.
Question format & scoring
The PE exam covers approximately 145 questions over three hours.
- Multiple choice
- Hotspot questions: answer questions about individual images by marking directly on them
- Watch ARDMS Presents: How to Answer a Hotspot Question.
Scoring
- Pass/fail score
- Point scale 300 to 700 (555 or better passes; not percentage or curve-based)
If you do not pass, you must wait until the next administration to retake the PE exam. [SME input: terminology]
Statistics
ARDMS exams assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to practice each specialty. Student pass rates vary.
| 2023 First-time takers: 88% Overall: 72% |
2022 First-time takers: 78% Overall: 71% |
2021 First-time takers: 74% Overall: 64% |
| 2020 First-time takers: 80% Overall: 75% |
2019 First-time takers: 72% Overall: 68% |
2018 First-time takers: 74% Overall: 65% |
| 2017 First-time takers: 72% Overall: 64% |
2016 First-time takers: 67% Overall: 58% |
2015 First-time takers: 63% Overall: 55% |
| 2014 First-time takers: 68% Overall: 66% |
2013 First-time takers: 71% Overall: 65% |
Content Outline
Explore exam details in this PE study guide.
Associated Certifications
The PE exam is a qualifying specialty exam for RDCS certification. The SPI exam is also required. Take these exams in any order.
After passing the SPI exam once, you may earn additional ARDMS credentials. As long as you maintain active status, you do not need to retake SPI.
RDCS®
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
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