How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in Massachusetts 2025

Becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer, also known as an ultrasound technician, can give you a great opportunity to get started in allied health. If you live in Massachusetts and are planning to pursue this career path, you may be wondering about the education and certification process.

If you're interested in learning more about the ultrasound tech requirements in your state, keep reading. Below, we'll provide a step-by-step process you can follow and answer various questions you may have.

What Is an Ultrasound Technician?

Ultrasound technicians are also called sonographers, ultrasound technologists, and diagnostic medical sonographers. They play an important role in healthcare by using ultrasound technology and equipment to take images of the human body, helping doctors diagnose various medical conditions. Some of their daily job duties include:

• preparing patients for medical imaging procedures
• positioning patients for optimal image capture
• operating ultrasound equipment
• maintaining and cleaning equipment
• updating patient records

These diagnostic imaging professionals often pursue specializations like abdominal sonography, gynecological sonography, and cardiac sonography. They must have strong technical skills but also demonstrate empathy and communication abilities necessary for any patient care field.

How To Become an Ultrasound Tech in Massachusetts

If you're ready to learn more about ultrasound tech requirements in Massachusetts, keep reading. Below, we'll look at each step you'll need to take to pursue this career path.

Step 1: Meet Basic Requirements

Becoming an ultrasound tech requires postsecondary training, usually at a college, hospital, or vocational school. To be able to enroll in your program of choice, you'll need to meet some basic admission requirements.

These requirements typically include having a high school diploma or GED or an equivalent level of education. You may also need to demonstrate that you have maintained a minimum GPA or meet other school-specific admission requirements.

Step 2: Complete Training

Various schools and hospitals in Massachusetts offer schooling to become an ultrasound tech. These programs typically provide a mix of classroom instruction and clinical rotations to prepare students for their future careers. Both certificates and degree programs in diagnostic medical sonography are available.

Certificate programs are typically reserved for those with previous healthcare experience and education. Associate degrees are the most common educational path for aspiring ultrasound techs. Bachelor's degrees are less common but can provide advanced training that leads to better career opportunities.

Step 3: Complete Clinical Requirements

It's recommended that students enroll in degree or certificate programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). This will ensure they meet all clinical experience requirements by the time they graduate.

If your diagnostic medical sonography program is not CAAHEP-accredited, you'll need to pursue an additional year of full-time clinical training before you can pursue certification. You can fulfill this requirement by participating in hospital internships and similar training opportunities.

Step 4: Get Certified

State licensure is not required to work as an ultrasound technician in Massachusetts. However, most employers prefer, and many require, that you hold professional certification through an organization such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

You'll need to pass two certification exams with the ARDMS: the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation test and a Specialty test in one of five concentrations. Once you have successfully completed both exams, you will receive a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS) credential and can begin looking for jobs.

Step 5: Maintain Certification

You'll need to keep your RDMS certification up to date throughout your career. This takes consistent work and effort but shows employers that you are committed to excellence as an ultrasound tech.

To maintain your certification, you'll need to complete continuing education approved by the ARDMS every three years. You'll also be required to pay a yearly renewal fee and demonstrate ongoing compliance with ARDMS protocols and standards.

Types of Ultrasound Technician Careers in Massachusetts

As noted earlier, most ultrasound technicians specialize in a particular area of sonography. Some of the many specialized job titles you could pursue as an ultrasound tech include:

• Vascular sonographer: Vascular sonography, also called echocardiography, involves taking sonograms of the heart and blood vessels. Vascular sonographers commonly work at hospitals and imaging centers.
• Obstetric and gynecologic sonographer: OB/GYN sonographers are ultrasound techs for pregnancy, as they are tasked with taking images of unborn fetuses. Also considered ultrasound tech for babies, these professionals track the babies' growth and look for abnormalities.
• Pediatric sonographer: These sonographers specialize in working with children of all ages. They are skilled at interacting with children and have a strong understanding of the kinds of health conditions they commonly face.
• Neurosonology sonographer: These professionals are highly trained in using specialized equipment to take brain scans. They may also take images of other parts of the nervous system to look for injuries, diseases, and other abnormalities.
• Abdominal sonographer: Abdominal sonographers take ultrasounds of structures within the abdominal cavity. They must have an advanced understanding of the many complex systems and organs found within the abdomen.

FAQs About How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in Massachusetts

If you still have questions about what it takes to become an ultrasound tech in Massachusetts, you're not alone. Keep reading as we provide answers to some frequently asked questions.

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

It can take anywhere from one to four years to finish your ultrasound tech training. Certificate programs commonly take 10 to 12 months to complete, associate degrees take two years, and bachelor's degrees take four years.

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

If you're fresh out of high school, you will most likely enroll in an associate or bachelor's degree. These programs typically take two to four years to finish if you study full-time. Part-time learners will need more time to graduate.

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

Tuition costs and related program fees can vary widely from school to school and also depend on the level of education you're pursuing. Certificates commonly cost from $5,000 to $25,000; associate degrees, $6,000 to $40,000; and bachelor's degrees, $30,000 to $48,000 or more.

How Much Does an Ultrasound Tech Make in Massachusetts?

The median sonography tech salary in Massachusetts is $86,330 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The lowest 10% of earners make less than $59,940 per year, while the highest 10% make more than $109,520.

Become an Ultrasound Technician

If you're ready to start your path to becoming an ultrasound technician, explore the programs available at the schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools to learn more about their programs and to choose the right one for you.