RCS: Cardiac Ultrasound Echocardiography Certification Examination

The Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) examination is for professionals working in the area of echocardiography. This computer based exam is administered at Pearson Professional Centers year-round based on availability at the test centers. To locate a test center click here.

The application fee for the RCS examination is $365 USD. All exam fees include a $100 USD non-refundable examination filing fee for the staff resources required to review and process applications. {CLICK HERE for Refund and Cancellation Policy}

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ ALL THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HERE BEFORE COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION.

RCS Qualification Requirements

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Have a high school diploma or general education diploma at the time of application.
  2. Fulfill one (1) of the qualifications of the exam for which you are applying. See qualifications listed in the tables below.
  3. Provide typed documentation to support the qualification prerequisite under which you are applying. Required documentation for each qualification prerequisite is listed below. CCI reserves the right to request additional information.
Qualification Prerequisite (All applicants must fulfill one of the following) Supporting Documentation

RCS1

Two years of full-time or full-time equivalent work experience in cardiac ultrasound. The applicant must have participated in a minimum of 600* cardiac ultrasound studies at the time of application.

In the verification letter, the medical director(s) must confirm the number of studies performed during the applicant’s employment.

Effective June 30, 2023, the RCS1 qualification prerequisite will be sunset. First-time RCS applicants applying on or after July 1, 2023 must select from the qualification prerequisites listed below.

RCS1

Employment Verification Letter (must confirm the number of studies performed during the applicant’s employment)

RCS235

A graduate of a diploma, associate, or baccalaureate academic program in health science (including, but not limited to, cardiovascular technology, ultrasound, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, or nursing)
AND
One year full-time or full-time equivalent work experience in cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography)
AND
Performance of a minimum of 600* cardiac ultrasound studies in their career, which is defined as work experience and/or clinical experience gained during a formal educational program.

In the verification letter(s) the medical and/or program director(s) must confirm the number of studies performed during the applicant’s employment and/or during the academic program.

RCS235

Completion certificate and/or educational transcript
AND
Employment Verification Letter
AND/OR
Clinical Experience Letter (only required for applicants submitting verification of the number of studies completed during a formal educational program)

RCS4

Applicant must be a graduate of a programmatically accredited program** in cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography).

RCS4

Completion certificate and/or educational transcript
AND
Student Verification Letter

Students applying to take examination prior to graduation will be required to submit this documentation.

RCS5

A graduate of a NON-programmatically accredited program in cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) which has a minimum of one year of specialty training and includes a minimum of 800 clinical hours in the specialty in which the examination is being requested.

IMPORTANT: If an individual’s clinical hours were completed after graduation or if the hours are not a requirement for their educational program, then those hours WOULD NOT count toward the 800-hour minimum under qualification RCS5. All clinical hours must be earned in a setting in which patients are being tested or medically treated.

RCS5

Completion certificate and/or educational transcript
AND
Student Verification Letter
AND
Clinical Experience Letter

Students applying to take examination prior to graduation will be required to submit this documentation.

RCS6

Active ultrasound credential holder with six (6) months of full-time or full-time equivalent work experience in cardiac ultrasound. The applicant must have participated in a minimum of 100 cardiac ultrasound studies* at the time of application.

In the verification letter, the medical director(s) and/or clinical supervisor must confirm the number of studies performed during the applicant’s employment and/or during the academic program.

RCS6

Copy of wallet card showing date earned and active through date of ultrasound registry credential
AND
Employment Verification Letter (must confirm the number of studies performed during the applicant’s employment).
AND/OR
Clinical Experience Letter (only required for applicants submitting verification of the number of studies completed during a formal educational program)

* If an individual’s studies were conducted during a formal educational program, then those studies completed WOULD count toward the minimum cardiac ultrasound studies under qualifications RCS235 and RCS6.

** An accredited program is accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), United States Department of Education (USDOE), or Canadian Medical Association (CMA) that specifically conducts programmatic accreditation for cardiovascular technology, diagnostic cardiac sonography, or vascular technology.

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