RVT

Two: the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam and the Vascular Technology (VT) specialty exam. ARDMS describes the SPI as the foundation for all of its certifications, and the VT exam as the vascular-specific component testing anatomy and hemodynamics of blood vessels. Both are required before the RVT credential is awarded.

Per the ARDMS RVT page, the SPI exam is $275 USD and the Vascular Technology exam is $300 USD. Prices are listed alongside each exam's application and examination window information and may change, so confirm the current fee in your Inteleos portal before applying.

ARDMS lists the application window as year-round and the examination window as year-round for both the SPI and the VT exams. In practice that means you can apply and schedule without waiting for a fixed seasonal cycle, though appointment availability at your test center still varies.

ARDMS specifies that the SPI must be completed within five years for the VT exam. If more than five years have passed since you passed the SPI, plan on retaking it before applying for the Vascular Technology exam rather than assuming the earlier result still counts.

The VT exam centers on vascular anatomy and hemodynamics. Expect cerebrovascular testing, peripheral arterial and peripheral venous evaluation, abdominal and visceral vasculature, plus instrumentation, quality assurance and specialized vascular testing concepts. Strong hemodynamic reasoning carries you across all of these areas better than isolated fact memorization.

Most difficulty traces back to weak hemodynamics rather than weak anatomy. Candidates who memorize waveform pictures without understanding pressure gradients, resistance and flow dynamics tend to miss questions framed around physiology. Build the physics and hemodynamic foundation first, then attach each disease pattern to it, and the domain-specific details follow more reliably.

Sit the SPI first, since the VT exam depends on it and the five-year window runs from your SPI date. Then work systematically through vascular domains, alternating arterial, venous, cerebrovascular and abdominal topics so retention is spaced rather than blocked. Finish with timed mixed-topic practice so you can shift between circulations quickly.

The official ARDMS RVT and exam pages reviewed here do not state a retake policy, waiting period or attempt limit. Because those rules change, verify the current retake and reapplication requirements directly with Inteleos/ARDMS before you schedule a second attempt.

ARDMS states that RVT supports the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) Vascular Testing Standards and laboratory accreditation requirements. Employers in hospitals, imaging centers and specialty practices use the credential as evidence of validated vascular expertise, which is why it is commonly listed in vascular sonographer job requirements.