How to Become an Ultrasound Tech in Oregon (2026 Guide)

When we hear the word "ultrasound," we typically imagine a pregnant woman getting her first glimpse of her unborn child on a little screen. An obstetric sonogram is a procedure we are most familiar with. But ultrasound can examine the internal workings of pretty much any part of the human body. The professionals who operate this equipment—diagnostic medical sonographers—are experiencing one of the strongest job markets in health care, with employment projected to grow 13% through 2034, more than four times the national average for all occupations.

This growth translates to real opportunity: about 5,800 job openings annually, median pay of $89,340 nationally (and $104,260 in Oregon), and demand driven by an aging population that needs more diagnostic imaging. But the path to becoming a sonographer requires navigating a strict credentialing landscape where one wrong turn—like choosing a non-accredited program—can delay your career by a year or more.

How Long Does It Take to Become an Ultrasound Tech?

Most people become ultrasound techs in 18 to 24 months through an associate degree program. Career changers with health-care backgrounds can complete certificate programs in 12 to 18 months. Bachelor's degree programs take four years.

The timeline depends on your starting point. High school graduates typically need two years to complete an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography. These programs include general education courses alongside sonography-specific training and clinical rotations. You'll spend roughly 12 months on prerequisites and core coursework, then another 12 months on specialized training and hands-on clinical work.

Career changers with existing health-care credentials—registered nurses, radiologic technologists, or those with bachelor's degrees in related fields—can often complete accelerated certificate programs in 12 to 18 months. These programs skip general education requirements and focus exclusively on sonography skills and clinical training.

Bachelor's degree seekers commit to four years of education, though the professional sonography component typically occupies only the final 15 to 18 months. These programs appeal to those interested in leadership roles, education, or research positions later in their careers.

The certification process adds another layer. You must pass two exams—the Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam and a specialty exam—within five years of each other to earn the Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) credential from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Most students take the SPI exam immediately after completing their physics coursework and the specialty exam within 60 days of graduation.

What Sonographers Actually Do

Sonographers don't just "take pictures." They analyze images in real time, adapt scanning protocols based on what they see, and provide preliminary findings that physicians rely on for diagnosis. If you miss seeing an abnormality during the live scan, the radiologist can't diagnose it later from stored images alone.

A typical exam starts with reviewing the patient's history and explaining the procedure. You position the patient to get the best acoustic window, then use a transducer to locate specific anatomy. Throughout the scan, you're making judgment calls: Is this tissue normal? Do I need additional views? Should I measure this structure? After the exam, you prepare a technical summary documenting measurements and noting any abnormalities.

The work environment shapes your daily experience significantly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, outpatient centers offer scheduled appointments and predictable hours, plus the highest pay at a median of $123,610 annually. Hospital-based sonographers face higher-acuity cases, often performing bedside exams in cramped emergency rooms or ICUs with critically ill patients. You'll transport heavy equipment, work around IV lines and monitors, and adapt protocols on the fly.

Specialization affects both your work and earning potential. Vascular sonographers focus on blood flow and clots, often standing for long periods. Cardiac sonographers (echocardiographers) image heart valves and chambers, which requires significant pressure through the transducer to see through the rib cage. Obstetric and gynecologic sonographers work with expectant mothers and require sensitivity to patients' emotional states during what can be stressful appointments.

What You Need to Become an Ultrasound Tech

The single most critical decision you'll make is choosing a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited program allows you to take ARDMS certification exams immediately upon graduation. Non-accredited program graduates often face a mandatory 12-month clinical work requirement (1,680 hours) before they're eligible to test, creating a catch-22: you can't get hired without certification, but you can't get certified without work experience.

Three main educational pathways exist. Certificate programs (12 to 18 months) target people already working in health care—nurses, radiologic technologists, or other allied health professionals. These intensive programs assume you have medical knowledge and focus heavily on sonography-specific skills and clinical rotations.

Associate degree programs (24 months) are the most common entry point. You'll complete general education alongside core sonography courses and typically log 960 to 1,400 clinical hours across multiple sites. Programs require rotations through different clinical locations to build diverse experience.

Bachelor's degree programs (four years) provide deeper theoretical foundation and better position you for management roles, education positions, or clinical applications specialist jobs with equipment vendors. The longer timeline and higher cost make sense primarily if you're targeting leadership or specialized roles.

Oregon Ultrasound Tech Programs

Before applying to any program, verify its CAAHEP accreditation status directly on the CAAHEP website. Don't rely on a school's promise that accreditation is "pending." As of 2025, Oregon Institute of Technology is the only CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography program in Oregon. The program reports a 100% ARDMS pass rate over the past 10 years and a 97% employment rate for graduates.

Expect to complete prerequisites before admission: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Physics, Medical Terminology, and Math (typically algebra or statistics). Most programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 in prerequisite courses and may require entrance exams.

Budget for hidden costs beyond tuition: immunizations, background checks, drug screens, CPR certification, and transportation to multiple clinical sites. Students often provide their own transportation to sites that can be 30 to 60 minutes from campus.

Certification: The ARDMS Standard

Oregon is one of only four states that legally require licensure for sonographers. To practice in Oregon, you must hold a license from the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI), which requires current credentialing from ARDMS, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

To earn the RDMS credential through ARDMS, you must pass two exams within five years of each other. The SPI exam tests physics and equipment knowledge and costs $250. Most students take this after completing their physics coursework, often before graduation.

A specialty exam follows—typically Abdomen ($275) or Obstetrics/Gynecology ($275) for new graduates. These exams contain 170 multiple-choice questions covering anatomy, pathology, and scanning protocols for your chosen specialty.

The five-year rule matters: if you pass SPI but don't pass a specialty exam within five years, you must retake SPI. Plan your exam schedule strategically. Take the SPI exam as soon as you complete your physics coursework, even before graduation. Schedule your specialty exam immediately upon graduation if you're in a CAAHEP program to ensure you're license-ready for job applications.

Starting January 2026, ARDMS changed its maintenance requirements. Beyond the standard 30 continuing medical education credits every three years, you must now complete four "Knowledge Confirmation" quizzes per specialty, per year. These open-book, untimed quizzes are designed to reinforce current knowledge, but failing to complete them can lead to credential revocation.

Oregon Licensure Requirements

Oregon requires diagnostic medical sonographers to obtain state licensure through the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging. The process requires completion of a CAAHEP-accredited program, current ARDMS (or ARRT or CCI) certification, and a fingerprint background check for all first-time applicants.

The application and license fee is $120 for a two-year license. The Board verifies your credential status directly through the credentialing body's online directory. If you aren't listed, you must request written verification from the credentialing organization.

Licensure must be renewed every two years. You must complete 24 hours of continuing education, including four hours in radiation use and safety. This is in addition to maintaining your ARDMS certification.

Salary in Oregon: What You'll Actually Earn

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $89,340 for diagnostic medical sonographers nationally as of May 2024. Oregon sonographers earn significantly more. According to BLS state-level data from May 2023, the annual mean wage in Oregon is $104,260 ($50.13 per hour), making it the fourth highest-paying state in the nation.

Where you work matters significantly for your paycheck. Outpatient care centers offer the highest median wages at $123,610, according to BLS industry breakouts. Hospitals pay a median of $90,070, while physician offices pay $89,450. Medical and diagnostic laboratories pay the least at $83,200.

Specialization also affects earning potential. Cardiac sonographers often command higher salaries ($75,000 to $95,000+) due to the complexity of the work and high demand. Vascular sonographers and those with multiple specialty credentials can negotiate higher pay.

The top 10% of sonographers earn more than $123,170 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Entry-level sonographers typically start around $60,000 to $75,000, with experienced sonographers earning $75,000 to $90,000.

Job Outlook and Career Advancement

Employment of diagnostic medical sonographers is projected to grow 13% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. This translates to about 5,800 annual openings. The aging baby boomer population drives demand, as older adults require more diagnostic imaging for conditions like heart disease and cancer.

Most sonographers work in hospitals (57%) or physician offices (21%). Full-time work is standard. Hospital roles often require evenings, weekends, or overnight shifts. Work is often performed in dimly lit rooms to view screens clearly. The role requires standing for long periods and lifting or turning patients.

Advancement often comes through specialization and advanced credentials. Earning additional credentials like Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) or Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) can increase your value and pay. Cardiac sonographers often command higher salaries due to the complexity of the work and high demand.

Leadership roles include lead sonographer, who oversees daily operations, quality assurance, and staff mentoring. These positions require extensive experience and often a bachelor's degree. Department director roles manage budgets and teams and typically require a bachelor's or master's degree in health administration or business.

Applications specialists work for equipment vendors (like GE or Philips) to train staff on new machines. These roles require deep technical knowledge and often involve travel. Some sonographers transition into education, teaching in sonography programs, which typically requires a master's degree.

The Physical Reality of Sonography

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a major occupational hazard. According to the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, up to 90% of sonographers experience symptoms, and 20% may eventually leave the profession due to injury.

The risks stem from awkward postures (leaning, twisting), forceful exertion (gripping transducers, moving patients), and static postures. You'll often lean across a patient's body while holding a bulky transducer attached to a heavy cord. You must contort your body to reach the keyboard while viewing changing images on monitors.

To protect yourself, look for employers who implement ergonomic equipment like height-adjustable exam tables and monitors. Scheduling that includes breaks to prevent fatigue and varied exam types reduces repetitive strain. Mechanical lift devices for moving heavy patients are essential. Learn proper scanning techniques in school and insist on ergonomic equipment in your workplace.

Is Sonography Right for You?

Sonography offers strong financial rewards and job security, but it demands physical stamina and technical precision. The work is intellectually engaging—you're solving diagnostic puzzles in real time—but it can be physically taxing. You'll stand for hours, apply sustained pressure through the transducer, and work in awkward positions.

The path to licensure in Oregon is straightforward but unforgiving. Choosing a CAAHEP-accredited program is non-negotiable if you want to avoid a year-long delay in certification eligibility. The investment pays off: Oregon's mean wage of $104,260 is well above the national median, and the 13% projected job growth ensures strong demand.

If you can handle the physical demands and navigate the credentialing requirements strategically, sonography offers a stable, well-compensated career with opportunities for specialization and advancement. The key is entering with realistic expectations about both the rewards and the challenges.