Ultrasound Technician Schools in Washington (Become a Sonographer)

Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Washington

We would like to provide you with a list of schools that have met the CAAHEP DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines.

This is achieved by passing a series of program reviews, including a self-study review and a site visit and accreditation is proof of excellent education quality provided for its students.

If you manage to successfully complete one of these recognized Washington DMS programs, you will be allowed to sit for the ARDMS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination:

• Bellevue College – 3000 Landerholm Circle SE Mail Stop A242C Bellevue, WA 98007
• Seattle University – 901 12th Avenue PO Box 222000 Seattle, WA 98122
• Spokane Community College – 1810 N Greene Street MS 2090 Spokane, WA 99217-5399
• Tacoma Community College – 6501 South 19th St Building 19 Tacoma, WA 98466

How long you will attend your sonography education depends on your learning pace and the level of education you want to achieve.

Most ultrasound technicians in Washington have at least an associate’s degree in medical sonography, although some schools offer bachelor’s and even master’s programs for students looking for careers in management or teaching.

If you wish to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree, it will take approximately two to four years to finish.

Some programs and hospitals even offer one-year certificate programs if you are already employed in the healthcare field.

During your studies, most colleges will require you to complete both formal instruction and clinicals.

Sonography programs may cover applied sciences, anatomy, and medical terminology among many other topics.

Ultrasound Tech Certification Requirements in Washington

It is true that the state of Washington does not require licensure or certification to be an ultrasound technician, but more and more graduates decide to get it, due to the fact that many employers do ask for professional certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) when hiring sonography professionals to make sure they hired the best in the field.

You can earn certification by taking and passing their exam, but only if you meet the prerequisites.

There are 10 locations throughout Washington State to take the exam, plus one in Burnaby, BC.

You can easily find the one that is nearest or most suitable for you on the ARDMS website at ardms.org, or by calling the testing company Pearson Vue at 1-877-258-9220.

The easiest way to qualify to sit for the exam is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or you can gain 12 months of full-time clinical experience.

Once you are ready to apply for an ARDMS examination, you should log in to MY ARDMS and choose Apply Online.

Then, you need to complete the online application form and submit payment.

The required supporting documentation must be submitted within 21 days of applying online by uploading it into your MY ARDMS account.

Documentation required with the application is:

• Copy of an official transcript from a two-year allied health education program with a state-specific number of credits.
• Copy of education program certificate, certification, or license.
• 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.
• Signed and completed clinical verification (CV) form for each appropriate specialty area(s)
• Copy of non-expired government-issued photo identification (ID) with signature

To get your certification, you can take the required exam through some other accredited organizations, such as The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

These examinations will lead to a certificate that will increase your chances of gaining a higher wage.

The ARDMS and AART offer varying certificates, which allow you to specialize in a designated sector.

Some of the certificates offered are in obstetrics and gynecologic sonography, musculoskeletal sonography, abdominal sonography, neurosonography, or breast sonography.

It is worth mentioning that upon becoming licensed in the state of Washington, it is required that you renew your license every two years, by completing an additional 24 credits of schooling.

Financial Assistance for Sonographers in Washington

The great thing to say is that residents of Washington have the opportunity to apply for medical imaging scholarships whose aim is to help and support them with the cost of their education tuition and fees.

You will need to meet the eligibility requirements which may vary by individual scholarship, as there are those specific to students with a financial need.

Most colleges also offer scholarships to students who will be attending their program.

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship – $1,000 – designed for low or middle-income Washington residents earning a STEM or healthcare degree.

1414 31st Ave S., Ste. 302
Seattle, WA 98144
206-800-8025
info@waopportunityscholarship.org

Washington Student Achievement Council – From $2,000 to $35,000 per year – This is financial support in the form of education-related loan repayment or conditional scholarships to providers who are willing to serve in healthcare professional shortage areas within the state for two to three years.

917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98504
(360) 753-7800

SDMS Foundation Sonography Student Scholarship Program – $2,500 – It is awarded to a deserving sonography student who has been accepted or is currently enrolled in an educational program in diagnostic medical sonography or cardiovascular technology that is accredited by CAAHEP.

Contact the SDMS Foundation at +1-214-473-8057 or scholarship@sdmsfoundation.org

Siemens Clinical Advancement Scholarship – $5,000 – designed for medical imaging professionals who are earning their Bachelor’s Degree Graduate Degree, and seeking to enhance their clinical practice skills and provide excellent patient care.

American Society of Radiologic Technologists Education and Research
15000 Central Ave. SE
Albuquerque, NM 87123-3909
foundation@asrt.org

Ultrasound Schools Info – Two $1,000 scholarships each year – This is a semi-annual, non-renewable $1,000 scholarship awarded to an aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in a CAAHEP accredited diagnostic medical sonography program, or a high school student who has been accepted to a program.

Ultrasound Schools Info
Attn: Scholarship Committee
PO Box 3026
Bellingham, WA 98227
scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com

Ultrasound Techs Salary And Job Outlook In Washington

Diagnostic medical sonographers earn a median annual salary of $98977 in Washington, which is significantly higher than the national average.

Those with the highest level of education and better positions can reach up to $114214 per year.

In the state of Washington, there are approximately 1500 working diagnostic medical sonographers and the state is expecting strong career growth, with a 23% increase in employment forecasted in the years to come.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Washington