RDCS - FE - RDMS Fetal Echocardiography

The Fetal Echocardiography (FE) credential is granted by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Applicants may pursue the FE specialty under either the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) or Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential.

The FE certification is available for professionals working in the specialty of echocardiography. These professionals provide cardiac ultrasounds to assist providers in diagnosing prenatal cardiac conditions. 

Cost

The SPI exam is $250 and the FE exam is $275, includes processing fee $100 (non-refundable). There is an additional $50 non-refundable fee if you schedule your exam outside of the United States, Canada or Mexico.

The ARDMS FE credential involves two different certification exams:

• SPI Exam: This exam assesses the test taker’s knowledge of clinical safety, echo instrumentation, and quality assurance. The SPI examination is a two-hour exam with 110 multiple choice and simulation questions and involves a 5-minute survey.

• FE Exam: This exam is 145 multiple choice questions, including hotspot questions. This exam is offered during specific testing windows.

The SPI and FE exams do not have to be completed in a specific sequence, but you must complete and pass each within five years of each other to obtain certification.

To be eligible for the FE certification exam, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• Completion of a two-year allied health education program that is patient-care related. Allied health occupations include, but are not limited to, diagnostic medical sonographer, radiologic technologist, respiratory therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and registered nurse.

• Completion of 12 months of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular experience.

If the applicant has completed an accredited program in diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic cardiac sonography, or vascular technology, then the 12 months of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular experience is not required.

An accredited program includes those recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), United States Department of Education (USDOE), or Canadian Medical Association (CMA) that specifically conducts programmatic accreditation for cardiovascular technology, diagnostic cardiac sonography, or vascular technology.

The FE certification is renewed annually. The fee is $105 to be paid online by December 31st of each year. However, the period to submit CEs for renewal is 30 hours every three years.

First reinstatement opportunity:

• $105 renewal fee + $150 administrative fee.

• Must be completed by February 28 of the following calendar year.

Final reinstatement opportunity:

• $105 renewal fee + $300 administrative fee.

• Must be completed by August 1 of the following calendar year.

FE credential holders are required to complete 30 CMEs every three years. Category requirements differ according to other ARDMS certifications you hold.

• ARDMS offers an online platform to store CEs for the three-year renewal period

• Content Outline

• 30 question practice test can be purchased under your MyARDMS account (Cost $45)

The ARDMS offers many other certifications, including:

• RDMS - PE - RDMS Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)

• RDCS - AE - RDMS Adult Echocardiography (AE)