Key Points

• State Licensure Required: North Carolina requires all sonographers to be licensed by the state's Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners.
• Median Salary: $84,690 per year in North Carolina.
• Training Timeline: Most students complete training in 21–24 months.
• Fastest Pathway: An accredited Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is the most direct route.
• Certification: Employers and the state require ARDMS certification, which involves passing the SPI and a specialty exam.
• High Demand: Job openings are consistently high in Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and the Greensboro/Winston-Salem (Triad) area.

What Does a Medical Sonographer Do?

A medical sonographer is a healthcare professional who uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to create detailed images of the body's organs and tissues. These images, or sonograms, are used by physicians to diagnose medical conditions without using radiation or invasive procedures.

In North Carolina, sonographers are essential members of healthcare teams and work in a variety of settings:

• Major hospital systems like Atrium Health, Novant Health, UNC Health, and Duke Health
• Outpatient diagnostic imaging centres
• OB/GYN and women's health clinics
• Specialised cardiology and vascular practices

Daily tasks involve preparing patients for procedures, operating sophisticated ultrasound equipment, analysing image quality, and documenting findings for physician review.

Requirements to Become a Sonographer in North Carolina

To work as a medical sonographer in North Carolina, you must meet requirements set by both the state and employers. The most significant requirement is state licensure.

Minimum Requirements:

• State Licensure: You must hold a valid licence from the North Carolina Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners.
• Accredited Education: Graduation from a Diagnostic Medical Sonography programme accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) is necessary for licensure and certification.
• ARDMS Certification: Passing the ARDMS exams is a standard for licensure and employment.

Common Prerequisites for Programmes:

• High school diploma or GED
• Prerequisite courses like anatomy & physiology and medical terminology
• Background check and up-to-date immunisations

Step 1 — Enrol in an Accredited Sonography Programme

The fastest and most common path to becoming a sonographer is by earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. These programmes take about 21 to 24 months to complete and include all the academic coursework and clinical training needed for licensure and certification.

When choosing a school, ensure it is accredited by CAAHEP. This accreditation is essential for taking the ARDMS certification exams and obtaining your North Carolina licence.

CAAHEP-Accredited Colleges in North Carolina

The following schools offer accredited sonography programmes:

Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh) Forsyth Technical Community College (Winston-Salem) Pitt Community College (Winterville) Cape Fear Community College (Wilmington) Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute (Hudson) Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (Asheville) South Piedmont Community College (Monroe) Robeson Community College (Lumberton)robeson.edu

Explore Diagnostic Medical Sonography programmes in North Carolina to find a school that fits your goals.

Step 2 — Complete Clinical Training

All accredited sonography programmes include a mandatory clinical training component, often called clinical rotations or an externship. This is where you apply what you've learned in the classroom to a real-world healthcare environment.

Under the supervision of experienced sonographers, you will work directly with patients and learn to perform abdominal, OB/GYN, and other ultrasound examinations. This hands-on experience is critical for developing the technical skills and professional judgment required for the job. Your clinical hours are integrated into your degree programme.

Step 3 — Get Licensed and Certified

After graduation, you must complete two final steps before you can practise: earning national certification and obtaining your state licence.

ARDMS Certification Most employers and the North Carolina licensing board require certification from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). To earn the common Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential, you must pass two exams:

1. Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Exam: This exam covers the physics and technical principles of ultrasound.
2. [Specialty Exam])(https://www.ardms.org/get-certified/rdms/): You must also pass an exam in a specific area, such as Abdomen (AB) or Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN).

You must pass both exams within five years of each other to earn your credential.

North Carolina State Licensure

Effective since 2012, North Carolina law requires all practising sonographers to be licensed. You will apply for your licence through the NC Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners. The board typically accepts current ARDMS registration as proof that you meet the standards for licensure.