“In many ways, cardiac sonographers are the Sherlock Holmes of the heart, uncovering vital clues that lead to accurate diagnoses and life-saving treatments.”
Carlos Barrios, RDCS, Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer Educator & Practitioner
Diagnostic imaging is critical for physicians to diagnose and treat patients. These noninvasive procedures give doctors an inside view without subjecting patients to painful exploratory surgeries. Cardiac sonographers are essential diagnostic medical imaging staff, as the images they gather inform physicians on how well or poorly a patient’s heart is functioning.
Performing cardiac sonograms requires training and education. Professionals must complete a cardiac sonography education program to work in this field. These programs are offered at the associate, bachelor’s, or certificate level. As part of the program, students will complete didactic coursework and intensive clinical rotations to gain hands-on skills. Admission to many of these programs is very competitive, so candidates must present robust applications with high GPAs, good recommendations, and shadowing experiences to stand out.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024), cardiac sonographers’ job outlook is good. There is an anticipated 11 percent increase in diagnostic medical sonographers’ jobs between 2023 and 2033. This increase is largely due to an aging population with higher medical needs.
Cardiac sonographers certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) have the highest employability, as certification demonstrates competency in this field. According to the BLS (May 2023), diagnostic medical sonographers earn an average of $89,020 annually.
Below is a guide on becoming a cardiac sonographer, including top online and on-campus programs, typical job duties, and alternative careers.
Meet the Expert: Carlos Barrios, RDCS
Carlos Barrios is a pediatric cardiac sonographer educator at CHOC Children’s and a practitioner at McMaster Children’s, with over 23 years of expertise in performing diagnostic cardiac ultrasounds on pediatric patients with various pathologies. In addition to preparing diagnostic reports for family physicians, he plays a pivotal role in training students, new sonographers, and fellows in echocardiography.
As an echocardiography instructor at the Canadian Ultrasound Institute, he contributes to curriculum development, teaches echocardiography theory to international doctors, and mentors students in theoretical and practical aspects of the field. He also prepares students for the ARDMS and Sonography Canada Echocardiography exams. Holding multiple certifications in fetal, pediatric, and adult echocardiography, he is dedicated to advancing pediatric cardiology through education and innovation, ultimately improving patient care.
HealthcareDegree.com: What is something most people don’t know about being a cardiac sonographer?
Barrios: Being a cardiac sonographer is both an engaging and rewarding profession. While the role can be stressful, it is critical to saving lives by providing accurate diagnostic information that cardiologists, interventional specialists, and cardiac surgeons rely on to make vital treatment decisions.
The images and videos captured by cardiac sonographers are often the primary source of information guiding medication management or surgical interventions on the heart and blood vessels. This level of responsibility requires precision, diligence, and an unwavering commitment to accuracy, as even the tiniest oversight can have serious consequences for patients.
As a result, cardiac sonographers take immense pride in their work, finding a deep sense of fulfillment when patients recover successfully and are discharged from the hospital after life-saving procedures.
HealthcareDegree.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to be a cardiac sonographer?
Barrios: You are being trained to save patients’ lives by performing a crucial job. From the beginning, it is essential to learn how to piece together information, as this role involves detective work inside each patient’s heart. Attention to detail and a strong understanding of ultrasound physics, cardiac anatomy, and physiology are critical.
If a cardiac chamber appears dilated, simply reporting it as such is not enough—you must determine why it is dilated, analyze the images and videos, and identify the underlying cause to explain it to the cardiologist. In many ways, cardiac sonographers are the Sherlock Holmes of the heart, uncovering vital clues that lead to accurate diagnoses and life-saving treatments.
Being a cardiac sonographer involves more than just examining hearts and providing accurate diagnoses for doctors. Over time, opportunities can expand into teaching, managing a cardiology department, becoming an application specialist or accreditation specialist, conducting research, or serving as a clinical instructor, professor, team lead, or educator.
Additionally, the role offers the chance to work with patients of all ages, from infants and teenagers to young adults and the elderly—even assessing fetal heart health before birth. The possibilities are endless.
Cardiac Sonographer Specializations & Degree Types
Echocardiography takes specialized education and training. Aspiring cardiac sonographers must complete a certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree in cardiac sonography or diagnostic medical sonography.
Students who complete a diagnostic medical sonography program will need additional education, clinical internships, and experience in cardiac sonography to move into the specialization. Certificate programs typically require candidates to have already completed an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Admissions Requirements for Cardiac Sonographer Programs
Many cardiac sonography programs are competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements may often not be enough to gain entrance to these programs, so applicants should strive to exceed them to the best of their abilities. Typical requirements for associate degree programs include prerequisite coursework, a high school diploma, a set number of hours observing sonography in a professional setting, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Bachelor’s degrees, specifically degree completion programs, have similar requirements but may also ask students to complete all their general education coursework in addition to prerequisites before admission. Candidates applying to certificate programs typically must already hold a bachelor’s or associate’s in addition to completing prerequisite coursework and sometimes work experience.
Cardiac Sonographer Program Accreditation
Ensuring a cardiac sonography program is accredited is a crucial step all students must take. Accreditation ensures that the program meets minimum quality standards in curriculum, faculty, and facilities. Also, attending an accredited program can be the quickest path toward certification through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is the primary accrediting body for cardiac sonography programs. CAAHEP-accredited schools based on recommendations from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Both organizations ensure accredited programs adhere to the highest quality standards for cardiac sonography education.
On-Campus Cardiac Sonographer Degree Programs
Loma Linda University – School of Allied Health Professions
The certificate in cardiac sonography offered at Loma Linda University School of Allied Health Professions is an in-depth heart assessment program. Students will gain skills in patient care, normal and abnormal heart anatomy, and hemodynamics. Students must pass the ARDMS Standard Physics and Instrumentation (SPI) exam to graduate from this program.
Given that this is a certificate program, applicants must complete a rigorous set of prerequisite coursework to enroll. Applicants must already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in any field and have completed classes in anatomy, medical terminology, physics, algebra, and patient care methods in the past five years. Candidates must also have eight hours of clinical observations.
- Location: Loma Linda, CA
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Johns Hopkins Hospital – School of Cardiac Sonography
Students in the cardiac sonography training program at the Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Cardiac Sonography echocardiography program learn the necessary skills to become entry-level cardiac sonographers. In addition to didactic coursework, students will complete clinical lab experiences in the Johns Hopkins Echocardiography Lab. This program is intensive, and students are required to be in class or the lab eight hours a day, five days a week.
Upon completing this program, graduates are eligible to sit for either the ARDMS or the CCI exam. Applicants must already hold at least an associate degree in an allied health career and have completed prerequisite coursework in algebra, anatomy, medical terminology, physics, and speech. This program is very competitive, so previous patient experience, a high GPA, and shadowing experiences can improve admission chances.
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Duration: 14 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Mayo Clinic – College of Medicine & Science
The Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science echocardiography program can be completed in Minnesota or Arizona. It’s offered as a stand-alone certificate or as part of a bachelor’s degree. The materials students learn in the lecture classes are immediately applied in clinical experiences and scan labs, allowing students to cement their education with practical experience. Students begin working with patients just four weeks after starting their program.
While the certificate program can be completed in 21 months, an affiliated bachelor’s degree program can take longer. If students want to earn the certificate, they must already hold an associate degree in an allied health field and have completed prerequisite coursework. For the bachelor’s program, students must concurrently enroll in health sciences at Arizona State University, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Rochester, or the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
- Location: Rochester, Minnesota, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona
- Duration: 21 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
University of Oklahoma – College of Allied Health
The University of Oklahoma College of Allied Health offers a bachelor’s of science in medical imaging and radiation sciences, focusing on sonography. This comprehensive program includes neurosonography, abdominal sonography, obstetrical and pelvic sonography, echocardiography, and vascular technology. Since this program holds accreditation in general, vascular, and cardiac sonography, students can earn certification in any of these three areas.
To earn admission to this program, students must first complete 64 semester credits in general education and prerequisites. These classes can be completed at OU or another accredited institution. Outstanding high school students can apply for early admission when applying to begin their bachelor’s degree program. They must have exceptional grades, complete an interview with a supervisor, and have over 24 hours of volunteer experience in a healthcare setting.
- Location: Oklahoma City, OK
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
University of Arkansas for Medical Science – College of Health Professions
The bachelor’s of science in diagnostic medical sonography at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science College of Health Professions can offer students more advancement and education opportunities than completing an associate’s degree. This full-time program features a small cohort of only 13 students. This intimate education setting allows students to receive frequent one-on-one help from instructors as well as develop meaningful peer relationships.
Besides the 47 credits of prerequisite and general education courses, students must complete 70 credits of professional coursework in sonography. This program offers concentrations in either vascular sonography or adult echocardiography. For the past three years, 100 percent of the graduates who took the ARDMS adult echocardiography exam passed. Also, 100 percent of graduates have been employed in the field within 12 months of graduation in the same time period.
- Location: Little Rock, AR
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Online or Hybrid Cardiac Sonographer Degree Programs
Jackson College offers an online associate of science (AS) in cardiac sonography. To obtain high-quality cardiac imaging, students complete online classes to develop an in-depth understanding of cardiac anatomy, hemodynamics, and physiology. A total of 1,136 supervised clinical hours are required as part of this program. Students may complete these hours with an approved clinical education affiliate.
Students must be admitted to Jackson College and complete prerequisite coursework in algebra, medical terminology, and biology to enroll in this program. Most prerequisites can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid format for labs. A criminal background check and drug screen are required for admission. Only 25 students are admitted to this program each year.
- Location: Jackson County, MI
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Oregon Institute of Technology
The online bachelor’s of science (BS) in echocardiography at the Oregon Institute of Technology is a degree completion program for professionals already working in sonography. This two-year program allows registered cardiac sonographers the opportunity to further their education and training without having to relocate and while still working. Earning a bachelor’s degree in echocardiography can help with advancement opportunities, job applications, graduate school admissions, and higher certifications.
One requirement for this program is that students must be employed full-time in an echocardiography laboratory to complete the clinical externship credits. Other admission requirements include holding a cardiac sonography certification from either ARDMS or CCI, prerequisite coursework, and a completed online application. Tuition is one low rate for all students, whether in-state or not.
- Location: Klamath Falls, OR
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
The online associate of applied science (AAS) in diagnostic medical sonography at State Fair Community College offers a cardiac specialization. This program can be completed in 22 months, and coursework is offered in a hybrid format. Most courses are offered online, but students must attend in person for scanning labs and clinical internships. This program meets the requirements for ARDMS and CCI cardiac sonography certification.
Admission to this program is extremely competitive, so students must apply to both State Fair Community College and directly to the diagnostic medical sonography program. Admission requirements include completing observation hours in a diagnostic medical sonography clinic, an admission essay, prerequisite coursework, and all official college transcripts.
- Location: Sedalia, MO
- Duration: 22 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
With over 70 years of ultrasound education experience, the diagnostic medical sonography certificate with a cardiac emphasis at Washburn University is an excellent choice for aspiring cardiac sonographers. All classroom-based coursework is offered online, while clinical experiences are completed at a clinic or hospital near the student. Graduates are eligible to sit for either the ARDMS or CCI cardiac sonography certification.
As with most sonography programs, admission to the program at Washburn is competitive. Applicants must complete an associate degree in an allied health career with a clinical rotation component as well as expensive prerequisite coursework. Other required application documents include two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, cover letter, resume, answers to the narrative questions, and an observation evaluation of a four-hour sonography shadowing.
- Location: Topeka, KS
- Duration: 12 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Students can complete a hybrid bachelor of science (BS) in diagnostic medical sonography at Misericordia University in four years. They must also complete advanced coursework to be eligible for certification in cardiac sonography.
The core curriculum is taught online, while sonography courses are taught primarily on select on-campus weekends. In the past three years, 100 percent of students who took the ARDMS sonography physics and instrumentation exam passed.
The first two years of this program consist of core coursework and prerequisite classes in math, physics, anatomy, and medical terminology. This program’s third and fourth years are the professional courses in sonography and clinical rotations. Aspiring cardiac sonographers can choose cardiac-based courses for their electives. A certificate program can be completed in 18 months for students who already hold a bachelor’s, associate’s, or prerequisite coursework.
- Location: Dallas, PA
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
How Long Does it Take to Become a Cardiac Sonographer?
Depending on which education path a cardiac sonographer chooses to take, entering this career can take two to four years or more of education post-high school.
How To Become a Cardiac Sonographer- Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Graduate from High School or Complete a GED (Four Years)
Most cardiac sonography programs require applicants to hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Completing high school demonstrates a dedication to completing an educational program and obtaining a minimum level of education.
Aspiring cardiac sonographers should focus on math, science, anatomy, and social sciences classes to give them the foundation they need to succeed in a cardiac sonography program.
Step 2: Complete Cardiac Sonographer Education (Two to Five Years)
Cardiac sonography programs are offered at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and certificate levels. Associate’s degrees take two years to complete, while bachelor’s degrees typically take four years. Certificate programs generally require applicants to have completed an associate’s, bachelor’s, or extensive prerequisite coursework and can be completed in as little as a year.
Step 3: Obtain Entry Level Cardiac Sonographer Work Experience (Optional, One to Two Years)
Upon completing a cardiac sonography program, professionals in this field are prepared for entry-level work. Entry-level work can often be required for certification, so cardiac sonographers should carefully document all their hours and procedures.
Step 4: Earn a Cardiac Sonographer Certification (Optional, Timeline Varies)
Certification as a cardiac sonographer is voluntary, but many employers require it and it is an industry standard. The two primary certification agencies for cardiac sonographers are the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Step 5: Obtain a Cardiac Sonographer State Licensure (Timeline Varies)
As of 2024, only New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon require sonographers to obtain licensure. Requirements vary by state, so candidates should check with their local board to ensure they have the necessary qualifications.
What Do Cardiac Sonographers Do?
Cardiac sonographers work primarily in hospitals but can also be employed in diagnostics labs, outpatient clinics, and physicians’ offices. Typical day-to-day duties include:
- Taking patient medical history before performing a procedure
- Explaining procedures to patients and answering any questions they may have
- Performing cardiac sonograms per doctor’s orders
- Maintaining sonography equipment
- Reviewing images obtained for quality and ensuring the necessary areas are covered
- Identifying normal and abnormal images
- Summarizing findings and writing reports for physicians
- Maintaining patient records
Cardiac Sonographer Certifications & Licensure
Certification for cardiac sonographers is optional, although many employers require it. Most professionals in the field hold at least some level of certification, which demonstrates to employers that the candidate has a high level of education, training, and competency in cardiac sonography.
The two primary certification bodies are the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Cardiac sonographers earn the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) designation through the ARDMS and either the Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or the Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) through CCI.
To earn an RDCS credential from ARDMS, candidates must fall under one of the following eligibility categories:
- Complete a two-year allied health education program that is focused on patient-centered care and has one year of full-time work experience in clinical or vascular ultrasound
- Be a graduate from (or current student of) a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited sonography program and
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any field and earn one year of full-time work experience in vascular or clinical ultrasound
- Earn a bachelor’s in sonography or vascular technology
- Haven an MD or DO and either one year of full-time work experience in clinical or vascular ultrasound or 800 studies in the area in which he/she is applying
Once candidacy for the RDCS has been established, applicants may take the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam and an additional specialty exam in either Adult Echocardiography (AE), Fetal Echocardiography (FE), or Pediatric Echocardiography (PE).
To sit for the RCS or RCCS through the CCI, candidates must have a high school diploma and:
- Have two years of full-time work experience and complete 600 cardiac ultrasound studies (this option was retired on July 1, 2023)
- Earn a diploma, associate, or bachelor’s in health science, have one year of work experience in cardiac ultrasound, and complete 600 cardiac ultrasound studies
- Graduate from a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) cardiac ultrasound accredited program
- Graduate from an unaccredited program in the specific field and complete 800 clinical hours as part of that program
- Hold an active ultrasound credential and have six months of work experience in the field
Cardiac sonographers are only required to obtain state licensure in New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon. Requirements vary by state but can include education, testing, background checks, and drug screening.
For example, in New Mexico, the requirements are:
- Submit a completed application
- Pay an application fee
- Hold a CCI or ARDMS cardiac sonography certificate
- Official state or federal identification
How Much Do Cardiac Sonographers Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2023), cardiac sonographers are classified as diagnostic medical sonographers and earn $89,020 per year on average. As of the latest data available in March 2025, the percentiles for wages were:
- 10th percentile: $63,680
- 25th percentile: $75,640
- 50th percentile (median): $84,470
- 75th percentile: $100,580
- 90th percentile: 116,300
Cardiac Sonographer Career Alternatives
Here are some alternatives to a career as a cardiac sonographer.
Become a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Diagnostic medical sonographers take images of patients’ bodies and organs using sonograms or ultrasound technology. They can image all parts of the body, including the abdomen, limbs, breasts, and more. Some may specialize in working with specialized patient populations such as children or the elderly.
- Typical Education: Associate’s degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)
Become an MRI Technician
MRI technicians use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to obtain diagnostic images of patients. These images aid physicians in diagnosing the patient’s conditions. Some MRI technicians may even inject patients with dyes in order to obtain contrasting images.
- Typical Education: Associate’s degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT)
Become a Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Nuclear medicine technologists administer radioactive medications for imaging and therapeutic purposes. A physician must prescribe the medication, but the nuclear medicine technologist is responsible for ensuring the proper doses are administered and monitors patients for any reactions.
- Typical Education: Associate’s degree
- Licensing or Certifying Organization: American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt HealthcareDegree.com, Kimmy Gustafson has delivered in-depth and insightful articles since 2019, aiding prospective students to navigate the complexities of choosing the right healthcare degree. Her recent work includes topics such as the ethics of gene editing and physician assistant’s fight for autonomy.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has written about integrating contemplative movement practices such as yoga into healthcare professions since 2019, promoting the idea that mental and physical well-being are critical components of effective patient care and self-care in the high-stress world of healthcare.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.