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What Does An Ultrasound Tech Do?

An ultrasound tech’s job involves operating imaging equipment, conducting scans, and recording diagnostic images and related information. These professionals are also responsible for interacting with patients and ensuring they’re set up for a successful imaging experience.

According to the California Employment Development Department, some duties of diagnostic medical sonographers (or ultrasound tech) include:

Preparing the patient for the exam (e.g., explaining the procedure to the patient, guiding them to the ultrasound table, positioning them for the exam, and preparing the skin where the imaging will take place, and applying gel)
Choosing the appropriate equipment settings and conducting the ultrasound scan to create and record images of the blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses
Repositioning the patient when necessary to capture the best imaging sites and angles
Watching the screen during the scan to ensure proper image quality and making adjustments to the equipment as needed
Checking on the patient’s safety and comfort during the exam
Determining which images are best to include in the final exam results and deciding whether more images should be captured
Providing the physician with the sonogram and a summary (written or oral) of the exam findings
Documenting and maintaining comprehensive patient records (e.g., patient information, previous test results, sonographs and their interpretations, and more)

Whether you’re taking a scan of a mass discovered in the patient’s body or providing an ultrasound for an expectant mother, your work as a sonographer is essential for helping that patient obtain the answers and care they need.

Requirements for Becoming an Ultrasound Tech in California

Now that we covered the role of an ultrasound tech, we can explore the steps that are needed to begin working in this role.

1. Complete an Ultrasound Technologist or Sonography Program in California

To become an ultrasound tech, you will need to earn an associate degree or a postsecondary certificate, though many employers in California prefer candidates with an associate degree.

Ultrasound tech programs typically cover subjects like anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, patient care, laws and ethics related to imaging, and specialized areas within sonography such as abdominal, vascular, and obstetrics imaging.

A strong ultrasound tech program should also provide hands-on clinical experience as part of its requirements for graduation. It should also help prepare students to sit for their national certification exam in sonography, should they choose to become certified.

American Career College offers a 20-month Ultrasound Technologist program in California delivered in a blended format, combining online coursework, on-campus instruction at our Orange County campus in Anaheim, and real-world clinical experience. The program is designed to prepare students to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam in sonography.

Associate programs typically take anywhere from one to two years to complete while certificate programs are usually shorter. ACC’s streamlined ultrasound tech program takes 20 months to complete.

2. Get Certified in Sonography or Vascular Sonography by the ARRT (Optional)

While certification is not required to become an ultrasound tech in California, it can be helpful as there are employers that require or prefer certification. You can pursue initial ARRT certification in sonography through the registry’s primary eligibility pathway.

Primary sonography certification requires you to:

Complete an ARRT-approved educational program focused on sonography (one that awards an associate degree or higher)
Meet the ARRT Standards of Ethics
Meet certain didactic competency requirements and clinical competency requirements (certain coursework and procedures performed as part of their education)
Submit your certification application
Pass the ARRT certification exam in sonography

Here’s what you need to know about the ARRT sonography certification exam, as outlined in the 2026 Primary Eligibility Pathway Handbook:

Location: Pearson VUE testing center
Total Test Items: 400 (360 scored and 40 pilot, or unscored)
Total Appointment Time: 440 minutes (7 hours and 20 minutes)
- Test Session 1: 240 minutes (4 hours)
- Session Break: 30 minutes
- Test session 2: 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes)
- Exam Content: Patient Care (26 questions), Image Production (118 questions), Procedures (216 questions)

If you prefer a more specialized credential, you also have the option to pursue a vascular sonography certification (vascular sonography is imaging of blood flow in the arteries and veins) through ARRT’s primary eligibility pathway. Vascular sonography is also available through the postprimary eligibility pathway as a secondary certification.

3. Obtain Additional Specialty Certification Through ARRT (Optional)

If you’re already certified and registered as a sonographer, a radiologic technologist (i.e., you’re an RT who wants to specialize in sonography), or even another professional in a related field, you may want to pursue an additional sonography-related certification through ARRT’s postprimary eligibility pathway. This can help you expand your skill set and career options as an ultrasound technologist.

Here are some advanced certification options that are available through the ARRT:

Sonography Certifications Through the Postprimary Eligibility Pathway:	Must already have existing certification in one of the following:
Breast sonography	Sonography Radiography*
Vascular sonography	Sonography** Radiography Nuclear Medicine Technology* Radiation Therapy

* Supporting credential may be earned through ARRT or NMTCB

** Supporting credential may be earned through ARRT or ARDMS

*** Also requires an active credential in Mammography

It should be noted that vascular sonography can also be pursued as a primary eligibility pathway (as an initial ARRT certification).

The ARRT’s certification requirements under the postprimary eligibility pathway include:

Being certified and registered in an appropriate supporting category
Meeting the structured education requirements
Meeting the clinical experience requirements
Complying with the ARRT Standards of Ethics
Passing the associated certification exam

You can learn the exact requirements for your desired credential by exploring the ARRT’s postprimary eligibility pathway requirements page.

4. Renew Your Certifications Regularly to Keep Them Current

To keep your ARRT certifications and registrations current, you will need to:

Renew your credentials every year and pay the associated fee
Complete your continuing education (CE) requirements every two years
Fulfill your continuing qualification requirements every 10 years

Keeping your credentials up to date helps you to continually demonstrate your specialized expertise, and it may be necessary for certain positions that require certification as a requirement for employment.

Get Started on Your Ultrasound Tech Education

If you’re at the start of your journey, the first thing you’ll need to do is find an ultrasound technology or sonography program in California that aligns with your needs and puts you on the right path for certification.

One option to explore is the Associate of Occupational Science in Ultrasound Technologist program at ACC: