Kentucky Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Certification Examination Questions with Answers
and Detailed Rationales
Question 1. Under Kentucky law, a diagnostic medical sonographer is defined as an individual who:
A) Uses ionizing radiation to create medical images
B) Utilizes non-ionizing, high-frequency sound waves with specialized equipment to generate images for
diagnostic purposes
C) Performs surgical procedures on patients
D) Prescribes medication for patients
Answer: B
Rationale: Kentucky statute defines "diagnostic medical sonographer" as "an individual who is
authorized to utilize nonionizing, high-frequency sound waves with specialized equipment to generate
images for diagnostic purposes" .
Question 2. Which of the following is NOT a typical requirement for certification as a diagnostic medical
sonographer?
A) Graduation from an accredited sonography program
B) Passing the ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam
C) Passing a state jurisprudence examination
D) Passing at least one ARDMS specialty exam
,Answer: C
Rationale: Kentucky does not require a state jurisprudence examination for diagnostic medical
sonographers. Certification requires graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing the
ARDMS SPI and specialty exams .
Question 3. The primary national certification organization for diagnostic medical sonographers is:
A) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
B) American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
C) National Board of Medical Imaging (NBMI)
D) American Medical Association (AMA)
Answer: B
Rationale: The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the primary certifying
body for sonographers. The RDMS credential is awarded after passing the SPI and a specialty exam .
Question 4. The Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy now includes a licensed
diagnostic medical sonographer as a voting member. This change was established by:
A) KRS Chapter 321
B) HB 40 (2025) and HB 89 (2026)
C) Administrative Regulation 902 KAR 11:030
D) The Kentucky Medical Association
,Answer: B
Rationale: HB 40 (2025) and HB 89 (2026) added diagnostic medical sonographers to the Kentucky Board
of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy . The board now includes a licensed diagnostic medical
sonographer .
Question 5. The ARDMS certification credential for a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is
abbreviated as:
A) RDMS
B) RVT
C) RT(S)
D) DMS
Answer: A
Rationale: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is abbreviated as RDMS. RVT stands for
Registered Vascular Technologist .
Question 6. Which of the following accrediting bodies is recognized for diagnostic medical sonography
programs in Kentucky?
A) ABHES
B) CAAHEP
C) ACICS
, D) DEAC
Answer: B
Rationale: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits
diagnostic medical sonography programs. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic
Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) recommends programs for CAAHEP accreditation .
Question 7. Kentucky's HB 40 (2025) and HB 89 (2026) propose to add diagnostic medical sonographers
to which aspect of regulation?
A) They are now exempt from all regulation
B) They are now subject to licensure through the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation
Therapy
C) They must now obtain a medical degree
D) They must now complete a residency program
Answer: B
Rationale: HB 40 and HB 89 propose adding diagnostic medical sonographers to the licensure
requirements of the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy .
Question 8. Under the proposed licensure legislation, what is the deadline for diagnostic medical
sonographers to become credentialed by a nationally recognized organization?
A) January 1, 2026
B) January 1, 2027
Certification Examination Questions with Answers
and Detailed Rationales
Question 1. Under Kentucky law, a diagnostic medical sonographer is defined as an individual who:
A) Uses ionizing radiation to create medical images
B) Utilizes non-ionizing, high-frequency sound waves with specialized equipment to generate images for
diagnostic purposes
C) Performs surgical procedures on patients
D) Prescribes medication for patients
Answer: B
Rationale: Kentucky statute defines "diagnostic medical sonographer" as "an individual who is
authorized to utilize nonionizing, high-frequency sound waves with specialized equipment to generate
images for diagnostic purposes" .
Question 2. Which of the following is NOT a typical requirement for certification as a diagnostic medical
sonographer?
A) Graduation from an accredited sonography program
B) Passing the ARDMS Sonography Principles and Instrumentation (SPI) exam
C) Passing a state jurisprudence examination
D) Passing at least one ARDMS specialty exam
,Answer: C
Rationale: Kentucky does not require a state jurisprudence examination for diagnostic medical
sonographers. Certification requires graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited program and passing the
ARDMS SPI and specialty exams .
Question 3. The primary national certification organization for diagnostic medical sonographers is:
A) American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
B) American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS)
C) National Board of Medical Imaging (NBMI)
D) American Medical Association (AMA)
Answer: B
Rationale: The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is the primary certifying
body for sonographers. The RDMS credential is awarded after passing the SPI and a specialty exam .
Question 4. The Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy now includes a licensed
diagnostic medical sonographer as a voting member. This change was established by:
A) KRS Chapter 321
B) HB 40 (2025) and HB 89 (2026)
C) Administrative Regulation 902 KAR 11:030
D) The Kentucky Medical Association
,Answer: B
Rationale: HB 40 (2025) and HB 89 (2026) added diagnostic medical sonographers to the Kentucky Board
of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy . The board now includes a licensed diagnostic medical
sonographer .
Question 5. The ARDMS certification credential for a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is
abbreviated as:
A) RDMS
B) RVT
C) RT(S)
D) DMS
Answer: A
Rationale: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is abbreviated as RDMS. RVT stands for
Registered Vascular Technologist .
Question 6. Which of the following accrediting bodies is recognized for diagnostic medical sonography
programs in Kentucky?
A) ABHES
B) CAAHEP
C) ACICS
, D) DEAC
Answer: B
Rationale: The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits
diagnostic medical sonography programs. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic
Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) recommends programs for CAAHEP accreditation .
Question 7. Kentucky's HB 40 (2025) and HB 89 (2026) propose to add diagnostic medical sonographers
to which aspect of regulation?
A) They are now exempt from all regulation
B) They are now subject to licensure through the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation
Therapy
C) They must now obtain a medical degree
D) They must now complete a residency program
Answer: B
Rationale: HB 40 and HB 89 propose adding diagnostic medical sonographers to the licensure
requirements of the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy .
Question 8. Under the proposed licensure legislation, what is the deadline for diagnostic medical
sonographers to become credentialed by a nationally recognized organization?
A) January 1, 2026
B) January 1, 2027
