Needing to be RT or nurse before Ultrasound

azradgirl · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Mesa, AZ

In Arizona, I have to be an RT or nurse before I can go to school for Ultrasound. (Yes, I've done my research and yes it's true.) I will be applying for the RAD Program in May, and it's two years long. Once I finish and become certified I can then apply for the Ultrasound school. My pre-reqs will transfer over so that is good, but it will be at least 1 1/2 years additional schooling. My goal is to be an Ultrasound Tech but the road is long. Just want to know if anyone else had to go this route.

hjhogle · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: State of AZ Sonography Pre-Req

Jeepers Creepers .. I haven't come across any other state that restrictive.

It would be interesting if there was a website that provided that kind of info, state-by-state.

Thanks for letting us know.

hjh, rt

azradgirl · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Mesa, AZ

The only approved school that I know of, for Ultrasound, is Gateway Community College and it says in there information packet:

The Ultrasound Program will ONLY accept students who are currently licensed from the following health care occupations: RN, RT, RRT, CNMT, RVT or RDCS. We do not make exceptions to the entry requirements. If you do not have these credentials we will not be able to accept you into the program.

AND Students who apply to the program must obtain a clinical site for training.

Talk about not making it easy. I even went to my director at the school I'll be taking the RAD program through and asked him. He confirmed my findings that I have to be an RT (or the other occupations listed above) before I can enroll for Ultrasound training. Oh, and in viewing the packet again from Gateway, it's a 2-year program, full-time. I'm taking my pre-reqs right now and won't start the 2-year RAD program until January 2010, So that means it will take me 5 years to become an Ultrasound Tech. Shocked

Oh, and an additional $6,400!