How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in New York 2025

Ultrasound technicians, also called diagnostic medical sonographers, use special imaging equipment to view the inside of the body. This allows professionals to diagnose or monitor certain medical conditions.

In New York, like most states, ultrasound tech requirements are simple: You need to complete an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program. However, many professionals also pursue certification. Keep reading to learn more about ultrasound tech requirements in New York State.

What Is an Ultrasound Technician?

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body, particularly of soft tissue. The job of ultrasound technicians is to use this technology to view and snap images (called sonograms) of the area that the physician requests. The job duties of these diagnostic medical sonographers often include:

• preparing the exam room and ultrasound equipment
• explaining the procedure to patients and answering questions
• operating the equipment to obtain the requested sonograms and measurements
• reviewing images to find abnormalities
• sending the images and any findings to the physician

Ultrasounds are probably best known for their use in pregnancy, when they're used to produce images to monitor fetal health. However, ultrasounds can be used all over the body to diagnose and monitor a range of conditions.

How To Become an Ultrasound Tech in New York

Becoming an ultrasound tech in New York is relatively simple. We've broken down the core steps below.

Step 1: Choose a Specialization

There are several different specializations available for diagnostic medical sonography. Each specialization corresponds to a specific area or system within the body. Common specializations include:

• Abdominal sonography: sonography of the abdominal cavity and internal organs
• Breast sonography: sonography of breast tissue
• Cardiac sonography: sonography of the heart, also called echocardiography
• Musculoskeletal sonography: sonography of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints
• Obstetric and gynecology (OB/GYN) sonography: sonography of the female reproductive system as well as fetal monitoring
• Vascular sonography: sonography of blood vessels outside the heart

Not all schools offer all specializations, so it's important to decide what type of sonography you want to pursue before choosing a school.

Step 2: Complete an Accredited Program

To work as a diagnostic medical sonographer, you need to complete a diagnostic medical sonography program. In New York, certificates are most common, but diplomas, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees are also available.

Schooling to become an ultrasound tech includes courses on medical terminology, basic patient care, and medical conditions and diagnostic imaging techniques related to your specialization. Your certificate or degree program will likely also require clinical rotations, where you participate in hands-on experiences under the guidance of established medical imaging healthcare professionals.

Whatever program you choose should be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS), a subcommittee of the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Step 3: Consider Certification

Unlike radiologic technologists, who perform imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans, ultrasound techs don't use radiation. As a result, only four states require licensure: New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon. New York is not a state that has licensure for ultrasound or sonography.

However, many employers prefer to hire candidates who hold professional certifications. Several agencies certify ultrasound techs, including:

• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
• Cardiovascular Credentialing International
• National Healthcareer Association

Certification usually requires graduating from an accredited DMS program and taking a certification exam to prove your competency. Some agencies offer advanced or specialized certification options that can help you further your career.

Types of Ultrasound Technician Careers in New York

As we mentioned above, while many people think of becoming an ultrasound tech for pregnancy when they hear the term ''ultrasound tech,'' there are actually several specializations within diagnostic medical sonography. As a result, there are several types of ultrasound tech jobs, such as:

• Abdominal sonographer: Abdominal sonographers image the abdominal cavity and sometimes assist with biopsies, helping to guide the practitioner to the right area or organ.
• Breast sonographer: These sonographers look at breast tissue, often to determine the presence of and track the progress of cysts and tumors.
• Cardiac sonographer: Cardiac sonographers may look at the heart's chambers, valves, and blood vessels. They work with the cardiology department to diagnose heart conditions.
• Musculoskeletal sonographer: Musculoskeletal sonography is used to diagnose things like sprains or tears, and also to guide injections or surgical procedures to these areas.
• Obstetric and gynecological (OB/GYN) sonographer: OB/GYN sonographers are ''ultrasound techs for babies,'' as they monitor fetal development, but also do things like look for cysts and tumors.
• Vascular sonography: Vascular sonographers look at blood vessels throughout the body. This type of sonography is often used to look for blocked arteries or blood clots.

FAQs About How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in New York

Starting a new career path is exciting, but also a little scary. To help you out, we've answered some frequently asked questions about becoming an ultrasound tech in New York State below.

How Long Does It Take To Become an Ultrasound Tech in New York?

The amount of time it takes you to become an ultrasound tech in New York depends on the type of program you choose. All accredited programs require didactic coursework as well as clinical experiences.

Certificate programs and diplomas typically take less than two years, and some schools may offer one-year programs. Associate degrees, like an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), usually take two to three years when you include prerequisites. Bachelor's degrees usually take about four years.

How Long Does It Take To Become an Ultrasound Tech After High School?

As we mentioned above, how long it takes you to become an ultrasound tech depends on what type of program you choose. You can generally expect to become a tech within one to four years.

If you're still in high school, look into taking some college-level courses now. This can cut down on your general education and prerequisite requirements, allowing you to finish your program faster.

How Much Does It Cost To Become an Ultrasound Technician in New York?

The cost of an ultrasound tech program in New York depends on what type of program you're taking, but also what type of school you choose. These programs are available through community colleges, four-year institutions, and medical centers.

Public community colleges are usually the most affordable; for example, the DMS certificate at Hudson Valley Community College is $211 per credit for New York residents. Public four-year institutions aren't too bad either, with the tuition rate at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University being $295 per credit.

Private schools and medical centers are often more expensive. For example, the Rochester Institute of Technology charges $605 per credit for its DMS program, while the programs at the Center for Allied Health Education are $8,100 per quarter.

Many schools offer financial aid options to students. The state of New York also offers the Excelsior Scholarship, which covers full tuition costs for eligible New York residents.

How Much Does an Ultrasound Tech Make in New York?

The mean hourly sonography tech salary in New York State, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $48.18 per hour. That's a mean annual salary of about $100,210 per year.

The area of the state also significantly impacts your salary. For example, ultrasound techs in the NYC area have a mean hourly rate of $50.42, while those in the Rochester area have a mean hourly rate of about $41.13.

Become an Ultrasound Technician

Start your journey toward a career in ultrasound technology by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions requirements, enrollment, and financial aid.