RDMS - RVT - VT - RVT Vascular Technology (ARDMS)

To earn a Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential with a Vascular Technology (VT) specialty, applicants must pass the VT exam and the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam within 5 years. Both of these exams are administered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The VT exam tests sonography professionals in physical principles and instrumentation knowledge, skills and abilities in the field. This certification is tailored for sonographers specializing in vascular technology, focusing on the evaluation of blood vessels and blood flow using ultrasound equipment.

Eligibility

To sit for the VT examination, first-time applicants must select a prerequisite meeting their education and clinical experience, which includes:

• Prerequisite 1: Complete a 2-year patient-care-related  allied health education program and 12 months of full-time clinical vascular experience

• Prerequisite 2: Graduated from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) education program that conducts programmatic accreditation for vascular technology.

• Prerequisite 3A: Bachelor’s degree in any major and 12 months of full-time clinical vascular experience

• Prerequisite 3B: Bachelor’s degree in vascular technology.

• Prerequisite 5: Hold an active  Registered Vascular Specialist credential through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or Vascular Sonography RT through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Completion Time: 3 hours, including 5-minute survey

Cost: $275, includes a nonrefundable $100 processing fee

Exam Format

The VT exam assesses the applicant's knowledge, skills and abilities in the anatomy and hemodynamics of cerebrovascular, venous, peripheral and abdominal blood vessels. Applicants have 3 hours to complete the exam, including a 5-minute survey. The exam has approximately 170 multiple-choice questions, including Advanced Item Type/Hotspot questions that assess and measure the applicant’s practical sonography skills. All questions fall under the domains and subdomains listed in the VT Exam Content Outline. 

Applicants receive a Pass/Fail decision and a scaled score running from 300 to 700. They must achieve a scaled score of 555 to pass the VT exam.

Application Process

• Log into your online ARDMS account and choose “Apply Online.”

• Complete the online application form and submit payment.

• Choose a prerequisite under which to apply if you’re a first-time applicant.

• Gather supporting documentation and submit it with the application

• Upload documentation to your ARDMS account, click the “My Resources” tab, then “Upload Documents.”

• Receive an email containing an Examination Confirmation Letter.

• Contact Pearson VUE to schedule the VT exam during the 90-day eligibility period.

The VT certification must renewed annually by attesting that you’re in compliance with all ARDMS policies and remain in good standing. Renewal includes accruing the required number of ARDMS-accepted credit hours by the end of the appropriate three-year Continuing Medical Education (CME) period.

Renewal Fees

Renewal fees must be paid online with a credit card. Renewal fees are due annually and include:

• $95 due by December 31st

• $95 + $150 Administrative Fee for late renewals submitted by February 28/29th

• $95 + $300 Reinstatement Fee for late renewals submitted by August 1st

VT certification holders must complete CME requirements in 3-year cycles. The minimum required number of ARDMS/APCA-accepted CMEs to maintain the VT certification is 30 if renewal is submitted by the December 31st deadline. For those who renew late after the February 28/29th deadline, CME credits increase to 40.

ARDMS offers a VT Practice Test simulating the computer interface used in the actual test center. This practice test review has 30 sample questions and is 30 minutes long. Applicants may register for the practice test from their online account. Other ARDMS resources include:

• Practice Test FAQs

• VT Exam Content Outline

• Advanced Item Type Question Preparation

• Video on How to Answer Hotspot Questions

The ARDMS also offers the following certifications:

• RDMS Abdomen (AB)

• RDMS Fetal Echocardiography (FE)

• RDMS Pediatric Sonography (PS)

• RDMS Musculoskeletal Sonography (RDMS-RMSKS)

• RDMS Breast (BR)

• RDMS Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)

• Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI)