Ultrasound Technician Schools in Arkansas (Become a Sonographer)

Diagnostic medical sonographers are extremely important professionals in hospitals and healthcare offices.

The images they capture of the inside of the patient’s body are of great help to physicians who, according to them, can prevent, detect, and treat disease, as well as monitor the development of a fetus.

Growth in the medical imaging field is expected to be at 22% through 2026, according to CareerOneStop, so we believe that now is a great time to pursue your education at one of the ultrasound technician schools in Arkansas.

In order to help you in your research of the most prominent and quality schools, we have gathered data about the accredited programs, certification requirements in Arkansas, the job outlook, and the average salary you can expect to earn.

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Arkansas

If you want to get a sonography degree that will be considered acceptable and respected, you need to enroll in an educational program that has received accreditation.

This means that the program has met the qualifications of an outside agency and can demonstrate their exceptional teaching, training, and clinical instruction abilities, thus producing highly qualified graduates.

Schools can become accredited by meeting the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines.

The following schools have sonography programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP):

• Arkansas State University – Jonesboro
• The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – Little Rock
• University of Arkansas Fort Smith

The successful completion of one of the recognized Arkansas DMS programs not only makes you an excellent and qualified professional but also provides you with eligibility to sit for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination, which you will need to pass in order to receive a credential.

Otherwise, students will need 12 months of full-time clinical experience to become qualified for this examination.

It is highly suggested to double-check entrance requirements before applying due to the fact that some bachelor’s programs in Arkansas are limited to those who are already certified by The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Enrolling in a CAAHEP accredited program also makes you eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo semi-annual $1,000 scholarship.

The majority of these programs will provide students with knowledge related to human anatomy and physiology, the operation and maintenance of specialized medical equipment, and the intricacies of working in healthcare.

The more you know about the program that the school offers, the better prepared you will be to make the right choice.

What needs to be considered when you are choosing a program besides accreditation are costs, admission requirements, and how long it will take to get a degree.

The length of the majority of programs is between one year and four years in school, depending on whether you earn a certificate, an Associate’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree.

Those who wish more advanced education will need to devote more time to studies.

Credit hours range from 30 to 120 credits and there are programs that offer between 300 and 1,500 clinical hours.

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Arkansas

Arkansas belongs to those states that do not require their diagnostic medical sonographers to be licensed or certified.

However, there are some states that are considering moving towards licensure and more and more employers do require or prefer professional certification, typically by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

The ARDMS has a set of prerequisites that students must meet in order to be eligible for the exam.

Applicants must apply online, pay all fees, and submit all of the required supporting documentation by the deadline provided in order for ARDMS to determine eligibility.

Documentation that is required with application is the following:

1. Copy of an official transcript from a two-year allied health education program which must the state-specific number of credits and indicates a quarter or semester-based system as well as graduation information.
2. Copy of education program certificate, certification, or license.
3. Letter from a supervising physician, ARDMS-Registered sonographer/technologist or the educational program director indicating a minimum of 12 months of full-time clinical/ vascular experience including exact dates of ultrasound experience/successful completion of sonography program
4. Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each appropriate specialty area(s).
5. Copy of non-expired government-issued photo identification (ID) with signature; the first and last names on the ID must exactly match the first and last names in your ARDMS/APCA record.

The certification exam can be taken at one of many Pearson Vue testing centers located in Arkansas, such as:

• 4206 S JB Hunt Dr. STE 110, Rogers, AR 72758
• 4700 S Thompson St Suite B 104, Springdale, AR 72764
• 10816 Executive Center Dr, Little Rock, AR 72211
• 1401 S Waldron Rd STE 208, Fort Smith, AR 72903
• 210 N State Line Ave #100B, Texarkana, AR 71854

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In Arkansas

Ultrasound technicians in Arkansas earn a mean annual salary of $71124 according to the BLS.

What is even more important for novice sonographers is that the growth in the industry is expected to grow at a rate faster than normal, with a projected 22% employment increase by 2026 causing new job openings and more employment opportunities.

The best place to look for both education and employment in Arkansas is Little Rock, as it is located in the center of Arkansas and it is the second-fastest-growing region in the country and a hub for job growth in the healthcare industry.

Salaries vary across different work settings and locations, but no matter what, a solid education is obligatory:

• Ultrasound Technician Salary in Arkansas – 27% expected job growth by 2024 – $58,550 per year
• Echo Tech Salary in Arkansas — 22% expected job growth – $46,270 per year
• Vascular Sonographer Salary in Arkansas – 22% expected job growth – $46,270 per year
• MRI Technologist Salary in Arkansas — 13% expected job growth – $52,290 per year
• Cardiac Sonographer Salary in Arkansas – 22% expected job growth by 2024 -$46,270 per year
• Radiology Tech Salary in Arkansas — 10% expected job growth – $47,870 per year

Upon getting a proper education, you look for positions within hospitals and medical centers, as well as clinics, outpatient facilities, and physicians’ offices.

It is our suggestion to make some connections through the school you attend, as you will likely be meeting many new people over the course of your studies who can provide you with valuable experience.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Arkansas