How To Become a Cardiac Sonographer in 2025

Healthcare has quickly adapted to accept and embrace various tools, including imaging technology used in diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions. As diagnostic medical sonography continues to expand in uses and advance as a technology, the need for cardiac sonographers, also called echocardiographers at some facilities, will also expand.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiovascular technologists, and technicians will see an 11% growth in job openings by 2033, nearly four times the national average for all occupations. Learn about how to become a cardiac sonographer, answers to common questions like, ''How long does it take to become a cardiac sonographer?'', and everything else you need to know about this growing career.

What Does a Cardiac Sonographer Do?

Cardiac sonographers are healthcare professionals who work with diagnostic imaging tools and other instrumentation to record images and videos of heart activity. These images of the heart are then used by physicians and cardiologists in patient care, often to diagnose or monitor heart disease and other conditions.

Most entry-level positions in this field require at least an associate degree, which teaches hard and soft skills required for this role. In addition to learning how to work echocardiograms and other ultrasound equipment, coursework covers differences in pediatric and adult cardiac imaging, as well as the communication skills needed to deliver this hands-on care.

How To Become a Cardiac Sonographer

Becoming a cardiac sonographer requires higher education, career-focused credentialing, and clinical experience and rotations in a medical facility. Most aspiring cardiac sonographers can begin their careers in about four years from the time they start earning their degree, but this timeline can vary.

1. Earn an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree

Education requirements to become a cardiovascular sonographer generally include an associate degree, but some colleges offer four-year programs. Enrollment in these degree programs requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

Students who enroll in an associate's degree program should look for an Associate in Applied Science degree. Due to the hands-on nature of the coursework and career, students typically earn these degrees in on-campus or hybrid formats.

Another important note is to make sure your program is accredited. In addition to institutional accreditation, you should look for program-specific accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This accreditation will ensure that your degree will serve as a prerequisite for industry-mandated credentialing.

2. Complete a Certificate Program

After completing your degree, you can complete a certificate program to expand your knowledge of echocardiography, cardiac functions, and more anatomy-focused coursework. Certificates aren't required by all employers, but they can help further develop skills or gain expanded information. These programs should be accredited by CAAHEP, much like your degree.

3. Apply for Cardiac Sonographer Jobs

You'll be eligible to apply for jobs with a degree. Many available positions only require an associate's degree, but some facilities will prefer or require a bachelor's degree.

Start by reviewing local hospitals or specialized vascular care facilities. These can be found by reviewing job postings on the facility's website or job posting sites. There are multiple tiers of cardiac sonography jobs, and some will require specializations or more advanced credentialing than entry-level careers.

4. Meet Eligibility Requirements for Advanced Credentials

You'll be required to earn one of two different credentials after working in the field. The two accepted credentials are the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) issued by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) issued by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Both of these credentials have unique individual requirements, but some general requirements include up to two years of experience, a relevant college degree, and a minimum number of hands-on ultrasound experiences.

Some states, like New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Oregon, require state licensure. If you're planning to work in one of these four states, make sure you look into your state's licensing requirements and guidelines.

5. Renew Your Credentials as Needed

Once you earn your license and continue your career, you will need to seek renewal. The two major credentials from ARDMS and CCI have annual renewals, which include satisfying continuing education credits, as well as holding an active position in the industry.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Cardiac Sonographer?

It takes about two to four years to become a cardiac sonographer, based on whether you enroll in an associate's or bachelor's degree program. Although it will take longer before you can apply for and earn advanced credentialing, you can apply for and begin entry-level positions with only a degree.

FAQs About Cardiac Sonography Programs

As cardiac sonography continues to expand, it's common for aspiring sonographers to have questions about the career. Some of the most common questions include how hard it is to become a cardiac sonographer, program prerequisites, and more.

Is It Hard To Become a Cardiac Sonographer?

The path to becoming a cardiac sonographer isn't long and generally just involves getting a degree, which can be done in under two years in some cases. However, this doesn't mean that the degree is easy. Cardiac sonography programs include highly technical skills related to different types of sonography equipment, as well as differences between pediatric and adult echocardiography. This degree program combines technology and medical knowledge, which can be difficult for some learners to grasp.

Do I Need Any Prior Medical Experience To Enroll in a Cardiac Sonography Program?

No, you don't need prior medical experience to enroll in a cardiac sonography degree program. Like most degrees, these are designed for beginners � particularly ones right out of high school or looking to advance or change their career. The only cardiac sonography programs that require prior experience are advanced certificate programs, which usually require a degree and experience.

Are There Online Cardiovascular Sonography Programs?

There are some online cardiovascular sonography certificate programs available, but the degree programs generally have too many hands-on learning requirements to be considered online. Students who want to take online courses can find hybrid degree programs where students participate in virtual classroom settings, with the only in-person requirements being on-site medical facilities.

Find Healthcare Degree Programs

Cardiovascular sonography is only one type of healthcare degree available, and our articles and resources can help you learn about all of them. Read about the various healthcare careers available and learn more about the schools that offer them to help make an informed decision for your career and educational goals. Once you've found the best program for you, use our resources to start your application process today.