How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in South Carolina 2025

Ultrasound technicians and technologists offer valuable patient care for expectant mothers everywhere in America, with South Carolina being no exception. Since there's a consistent demand for new medical sonographers, this rewarding patient care field is worthy of your consideration. This article will cover the academic ultrasound tech requirements and explain how to become an ultrasound tech.

What Is an Ultrasound Technician?

Ultrasound technicians, also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, work with other OB/GYN (obstetrics and gynecology) professionals to produce the highest quality medical imaging during pregnancy or to address heart/lung conditions and other medical issues. They accomplish this with sophisticated radiologic instrumentation and other obstetrics equipment.

By using safe technology, they provide patients with important imaging during fetal exams while assisting physicians with interpretation. Ultrasound techs must also possess strong interpersonal skills to accommodate patients who experience tremendous challenges during pregnancy. This is why diagnostic medical sonography involves extensive education and receives regulatory oversight by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).

How To Become an Ultrasound Tech in South Carolina

If you would like to enter this lucrative and high-demand field, then consider the following outline for ultrasound tech requirements in South Carolina. This gives the prospective student a step-by-step strategy for completing general education, hands-on training, and other coursework as fast as possible.

Step 1: Identify and Apply to Accredited Sonography Programs

While you're finishing high school (or even after if you're interested in this career), begin researching specific sonography degree programs and their admissions requirements. Then, once you have your high school diploma, you can apply to a sonography program.

In South Carolina, you can find plenty of community college sonography programs, such as the ones at Horry-Georgetown Technical College and Greenville Technical College. Your best chance for entry-level sonography jobs would be to get at least an associate degree in the field. The best way to learn more about specific requirements is to speak with representatives from degree-offering locations and/or attend sonography program information sessions.

Step 2: Complete an Associate Degree

This step requires significant effort on the part of prospective candidates. This is where you will obtain the ARDMS certification after successfully finishing an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography.

The associate degree typically lasts two years and provides the academic training necessary to pass the certification exam. While it's possible to earn the certification without a two-year degree, it may be much more difficult. Greenville Technical College offers a good overview of the class work and clinical practice involved with an accredited program, which they break into two phases of general education and health sciences.

Step 3: Earn an ARDMS Certification

Next, you should approach the certification exam carefully since it's an important entry barrier for employment. Don't forget to review the ARDMS guidelines for certification in ultrasound technology. The examination covers topics like medical sonography, safe instrumentation usage, and specialty examinations for breast examination, pediatric sonography, ob/gyn, abdomen examination, and fetal echocardiography.

It is the goal of the certification program to prepare the future ultrasound tech for a baseline competency in diagnostic medical sonography (DMS). Always limit your college search to accredited programs that are designed for exam preparation if you desire the best credentials for gainful employment.

Step 4: Build More Experience

Earn valuable hands-on experience after completing the required training programs in sonography. Many degree programs require clinical training anyway, making it easier to transition from academic coursework toward on-the-job training.

At this stage, it's crucial to devote substantial time to absorbing everything from your clinical experience, recalling previous classroom knowledge, and forging strong professional contacts. Once you complete everything, you'll have a good chance of unlocking solid career opportunities in ultrasound technology. Finally, it's also possible to qualify for other positions with either a bachelor's or master's degree to acquire even greater field expertise and improve employment prospects.

Types of Ultrasound Technician Careers in South Carolina

Even though most people think that ultrasound technicians work with pregnancies, there are several other types of ultrasound tech careers, which we've explained below.

• Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers: The work of an ultrasound tech for pregnancy involves providing first-rate imaging creation and dissemination for expectant mothers. It helps physicians determine fetal growth, anatomy, and qualitative conditions. Many new parents also appreciate the services of an ultrasound tech for babies so they can enjoy the first glimpse of their new child arriving soon.
• Diagnostic cardiovascular sonographers: Some technicians will work at imaging centers that specialize in cardiovascular care as well. Today's modern imaging technology better allows physicians to detect life-threatening heart conditions affecting the heart chambers, valves, aorta, and so forth.
• Abdominal sonographers: Abdominal sonography is another much-needed service for patients who present symptoms affecting the kidneys, liver, spleen, or pancreas.

FAQs About How To Become an Ultrasound Technician in South Carolina

Next, let's address a few frequently asked questions regarding the medical sonographer's career field. This section will explore the cost and duration of ultrasound tech training, expected salaries, and typical tuition rates for degree programs.

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

It takes about two years to complete the certification and associate degree for entry-level employment as an ultrasound tech. You can earn both at a local community college in South Carolina.

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

Schooling to become an ultrasound tech will take about two years altogether, assuming you have no prior training or experience immediately after high school. The required education includes classroom or online coursework, along with a heavy volume of supervised work experience. Greenville Technical College, for example, requires 1,000 hours of supervised clinical instruction to qualify for licensure.

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

Tuition and other expenses may vary by institution but generally correspond with the typical rates for health sciences associate degrees. Horry-Georgetown Technical College, for instance, provides a cost range between $11,970 and $20,175. This covers everything from tuition and testing fees to background checks and textbooks.

How Much Does an Ultrasound Tech Make in South Carolina?

Sonographers earn some of the best salaries for healthcare jobs not requiring advanced medical degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), sonography tech salary was about an average of $84,470 in 2023.

Become an Ultrasound Technician

This gives you a foundational understanding of entering and completing the certification requirements, clinical training, and other prerequisite work for becoming a sonographer in South Carolina. It is a competitive and specialized career field, which means prospective students must complete some challenging credentialing to land a job.

Since education courses require a financial commitment, please take every necessary step to secure financial aid and focus on a successful completion in the shortest time possible. Learn.org can help you discover the most effective ways to do so in Charleston, Columbia, and elsewhere throughout South Carolina.