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If you want to become an ultrasound technician in North Carolina, you need to meet some specific criteria.
Read below to learn mow on how to start a flourishing career in the field.
Article Table of Contents
Training Requirements
In North Carolina, certification is not required by law, but it is required by the employing companies.
Certifications in this state are available through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Before you can get licensed, you need to choose a training program.
The ultrasound training programs are available through community colleges or trade schools.
You can take a course online or in-person and the requirements are:
- A year, over 100 clinical hours, and 30 credits for a certification diploma
- Two years, over 300 clinical hours, and 60 credits for an Associate’s degree
- Four years, over 500 clinical hours, and 120 credits for a Bachelor’s degree
Although the fastest way to get a license is the one year program, getting a higher degree opens more career opportunities.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | 340 Victoria Road Asheville, NC 28801 |
| Caldwell Community College | 2855 Hickory Blvd Hudson, NC 28638 |
| Cape Fear Community College | 411 North Front Street Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| Forsyth Technical Community College | 2100 Silas Creek Pky Winston-Salem, NC 27103 |
| Johnston Community College | PO Box 2350 245 College Road Smithfield, NC 27577 |
| Pitt Community College | PO Drawer 7007 Greenville, NC 27835 |
| South College Asheville | 140 Sweeten Creek Road Asheville, NC 28803-1526 |
| South Piedmont Community College | 4209 Old Charlotte Highway Monroe, NC 28110 |
| Southwestern Community College – Sylva | 447 College Drive Sylva, NC 28779 |
The training programs are available full time or part-time.
After finishing the program, you can apply for certifications managed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Specialization Options
Ultrasound technicians have the option to specialize in a field.
Below are the fields and some of the classes needed to enter them.
Ultrasound Technology Classes
You can choose a specialization for extra credentials.
The classes available during your training are:
- Introduction to Ultrasound Technology
- Abdominal and Small Parts Ultrasound
- Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation
- Clinical Sonography
Sonography courses
In North Carolina, you will attend the below classes:
- Introduction to Sonography
- Scanning Techniques
- Sonographic Sectional Anatomy
- Sonographic Physics
MRI technology courses
This course covers topics as:
- Seminar in Radiography
- Principles of Imaging
- Radiation Protection
- Radiographic Physics
Vascular Sonography courses
The classes in vascular sonography are listed below:
- Patient Care for Imaging Professionals
- Acoustical Physics
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Physics Concepts
Radiology Tech courses
Radiology deals with using radiographic imaging in diagnostics.
Classes are as follows:
- Radiation Protection
- Patient Care
- Radiographic Image Critique
- Principles of Imaging
Echo Tech courses
This specialization deals with heart issues and teaches you how to use the imagery in diagnostics of heart disease.
The classes include:
- Cardiographic Methods
- Patient Management Practices
- Invasive Cardiology
- Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation
Regardless of the specialization your pursues, your courses will include topics like:
- physiology
- anatomy
- medical psychology
- medical terminology
- patient care
- medical record keeping
- medical ethics
In order to get a license, you will also have to attend practice hours, that will teach you how to effectively use the devices.
Job prospects in North Carolina
The salary depends on the specialization and skills, but not only.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $74,808 |
| Raleigh | $73,266 |
| Greensboro | $72,982 |
| Durham | $72,860 |
| Winston-Salem | $73,160 |
| Fayetteville | $70,074 |
| Cary | $73,266 |
| Wilmington | $69,654 |
| High Point | $73,419 |
| Concord | $73,319 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 140 | $75,550 | $36.32 | $94,030 | $57,920 |
| Burlington, NC | 30 | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - | - NA - |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 910 | $85,060 | $40.9 | $98,190 | $67,470 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 370 | $84,490 | $40.62 | $107,460 | $68,660 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 90 | $77,080 | $37.06 | $99,280 | $59,840 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 170 | $82,420 | $39.62 | $99,980 | $64,220 |
| Greenville, NC | 160 | $72,970 | $35.08 | $87,970 | $57,240 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 70 | $73,070 | $35.13 | $92,080 | $62,950 |
| Raleigh, NC | 480 | $82,410 | $39.62 | $101,600 | $65,240 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 40 | $75,500 | $36.3 | $97,930 | $60,700 |
| Wilmington, NC | 130 | $77,600 | $37.31 | $95,630 | $61,450 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 270 | $84,380 | $40.57 | $102,400 | $66,440 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
As the ultrasound field is growing in North Carolina, you can get employed in various clinics and hospitals across the state.
Jobs are expected to see a 27% growth until 2026, which makes this state a good choice for an ultrasound career.
Read the full guide: How to Become an Ultrasound Technician
Ultrasound Technicians by State
Hi, I work for a refugee resettlement organization in Durham, NC called Church World Service. We have a refugee woman client from Afghanistan who has an MD and a medical sonoghraphy degree as well as 11 years of sonography experience. We were wondering if she needs certification here in the US to work at a local women’s clinic to help with pregnancy support services and doing ultrasounds there.
I would greatly appreciate some information from you.
Many thanks
Sonal