Q: Can I take the specialty exam before the SPI?<\/summary>\nYes, ARDMS allows you to take the Specialty Exam before the SPI. However, you won\u2019t earn certification until both exams are successfully completed. You must pass both within five years of each other for your results to remain valid.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nQ: What happens if I pass SPI and not specialty, or vice versa?<\/summary>\nYou won\u2019t receive ARDMS certification until both exams are passed. If you pass the SPI first, you have five years to pass a Specialty Exam. If that time expires, you\u2019ll need to retake the SPI.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nQ: Is ARDMS accepted in all U.S. states?<\/summary>\nYes. ARDMS certification is accepted all over the country and is frequently a required or preferred condition of hire. Four states, however, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon, require extra sonography licensing.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nQ: Can international students get certified by ARDMS?<\/summary>\nAbsolutely. International candidates can apply through one of ARDMS\u2019s approved pathways. However, you\u2019ll need to provide proper documentation of your education and clinical experience, and exams must be taken at authorized Pearson VUE centers.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\nQ: How long does the ARDMS certification process take?<\/summary>\nIt varies with your pathway of eligibility and time of preparation. Most applicants finish the process from application to test in 3 to 6 months. Students in accredited programs can take exams around the time of graduation, but others will be longer, depending on work history. Include additional time if reviewing documents or approvals are slow.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n