How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in North Carolina 2025

Many of us think of babies when we think of an ultrasound technician, but this job involves so much more than just working with expectant parents. Diagnostic medical sonographers use high-frequency soundwaves to take non-invasive images of a patient. This is a rewarding job that offers good pay after just a few years of education.

In North Carolina, ultrasound tech requirements include a high school education or GED, as well as further education through a certificate program, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree. Finally, ultrasound techs must become certified before getting to work. Keep reading to learn more about how to become a medical sonographer in North Carolina.

What Is an Ultrasound Technician?

An ultrasound technician or sonographer works in a hospital, clinic, or imaging center. They use soundwaves to scan the patient, observing their organs, tissue, or blood vessels to look for abnormalities. An ultrasound technician can specialize in many different aspects of the human body, including:

• abdominal sonography
• breast sonography
• neuro sonography
• obstetric and gynecological sonography
• vascular sonography

Along with operating the equipment and analyzing the images for problems, an ultrasound tech may also help prepare the patient for the procedure and answer any questions, collaborate with the doctor on a diagnosis, and maintain orderly patient records.

To prepare for this role, an ultrasound tech will take health science classes like anatomy and physiology, as well as math and physics. In North Carolina, ultrasound tech requirements include licensure by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

How To Become an Ultrasound Tech in North Carolina

There are a couple of ways to pursue this career in North Carolina, but all involve schooling to become an ultrasound tech. Let's break down the steps to beginning your career as a sonographer.

Step 1: Complete a Certificate or Degree Program

After graduating high school or completing their GED, ultrasound techs next need to complete an educational program. If you already have some healthcare experience, then you can complete a sonography certificate program in about one year. Otherwise, you can get your associate degree in sonography from an accredited community college in two years or pursue a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.

A medical sonography program will focus primarily on math and science courses, but it will also integrate clinical rotations so you can get hands-on experience in patient care. Make sure you find a high-quality program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health/Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Step 2: Clinical Work

The best way to learn is often through hands-on work. Gaining experience in a physician's office will be invaluable as you prepare for certification and your future career. Many associate programs require a certain number of clinical hours, but the more supervised experience you can get, the better.

This also allows you to begin working in a more specialized setting, such as an OB/GYN's office or radiologic center, giving you a better idea of employment opportunities while preparing you for the next step: licensure.

Step 3: Take the ARDMS Exam

In North Carolina, technologists must be licensed before beginning work. The multiple-choice certification exam will test your knowledge of sonography, instrumentation, and applied science, so it's important to review any of your notes from school. You can also take a practice test on the ARDMS website.

After passing the exam, you will be able to access your credentials and print a digital ID card from MY ARDMS. Within four to six weeks, you will be sent a welcome letter and more information about your new credential. Now it's time to start looking for a job.

Step 4: Continuing Education

Even after you begin your career, it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest news and advancements in sonography so that you can provide the best patient care. In North Carolina, ARDMS requires sonographers to earn a set number of continuing education credits every three years. You can complete these hours through workshops, online classes, conferences, or other approved means.

Types of Ultrasound Technician Careers in North Carolina

Once you are ARDMS certified, you can get to work right away or pursue certification in more specialized fields, if you wish. This advanced knowledge can lead to higher pay or more in-demand jobs. Whether you hope to work as an ultrasound tech for pregnancy or brain health, take a look at a few specialized career options below.

Obstetrics and Gynecology

This is often the first thing many of us think of with a sonographer: a person who works as an ultrasound tech for babies. In this career, you'll want to take coursework with an OB/GYN focus to prepare for the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam and the OB/GYN exam. You'll need to pass these exams within five years of becoming certified.

Abdominal Sonography

An abdominal sonographer observes organs in the stomach, including the liver, kidneys, pancreas, spleen, or gallbladder, looking for abnormalities or distention. For this career, you will need to pass the SPI exam with an abdominal specialty within five years. Additional credentials can improve your standing and job prospects.

Vascular Sonography

A vascular sonographer uses the technology to observe blood vessels, arteries, and veins, looking for clogs or compression. Within five years, you will need to pass physics and vascular technology specialty examinations.

There are still other specialties you can pursue, including echocardiography (observing the heart), breast sonography, or musculoskeletal sonography.

FAQs About How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in North Carolina

It's normal to have quite a few questions before joining the medical field. As you consider a career as an ultrasound tech in North Carolina, take a look at our FAQs below to answer any lingering questions.

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

It takes anywhere from one to four years to become an ultrasound tech in North Carolina. If you already have some medical experience, then you may just need a one-year certificate program. However, most sonographers get their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in two years from an accredited program at a local community college. If you want to get really in-depth or pursue more leadership positions, you can complete a four-year bachelor's degree in sonography.

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

For recent high school grads, it will likely take two to four years to start work as an ultrasound tech. But you can begin preparing even before graduation by attending an information session or looking at the admission requirements of your chosen school. Take as many higher-level math and science classes as you can, or consider taking some prerequisites at a local community college to expedite your timeline. Enrollment typically begins in the fall, but some programs have rolling admissions.

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

Cost depends on the length of your program and your chosen school, but most community colleges in North Carolina charge $76 per credit hour. A DMS program will include many additional fees, including a background check, a uniform and supplies, and CPR certification, among others. The certification exam comes with an additional fee, anywhere from $225 to $950.

If you are concerned about costs, talk to your school's financial aid office about ways to help pay for school.

How Much Does an Ultrasound Tech Make in North Carolina?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the average annual salary for an ultrasound tech is $80,850, or $38.87 per hour. This is a nationwide average, but a sonography tech salary may be impacted by your location or other factors. Regardless, the BLS anticipates significant job growth in this field�11% over the next 10 years. Higher than average pay, high demand for jobs, and relatively short educational requirements make this a great career option for many.

Become an Ultrasound Technician

North Carolina schools from Asheville to Wilmington have high-quality, accredited programs to prepare you for a career as an ultrasound tech. If you are ready to get started, then reach out to one of the accredited schools featured on Learn.org today and talk to them about becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer.