Diagnostic medical sonographers are highly trained individuals that use specialized equipment to produce images of the inside of the body. They are an important part of the healthcare team, and the images they produce for referring physicians are used to prevent, detect, and treat disease, as well as monitor the health and growth of a fetus.
Sonography, along with the rest of the healthcare field, is growing rapidly. Graduates of an accredited ultrasound tech program in Kentucky will have the opportunity to pursue an entry-level position at a hospital or clinic. Admittance to a program is competitive, the training period is rigorous, but the career is rewarding.
How to Become a Sonographer in Kentucky
- Choose an Accredited Ultrasound Program. There are many important factors to consider when selecting a program to apply to, and accreditation should be at the top of the list. Kentucky has five CAAHEP accredited schools that offer Associate, Bachelor’s, and Certificate programs.
- Get Your Degree. An Associate of Science degree in diagnostic medical sonography is the minimum amount of education required to become an ultrasound tech in Kentucky. Some schools offer Certificate programs for those that meet the prerequisites.
- Pass the Certification Exam. Kentucky does not currently require certification in order to practice sonography, but it’s almost certain that a prospective employer will. Graduating from a CAAHEP accredited program will qualify you to sit for the exam offered by the ARDMS.
Connect with Educational Programs near You
Why Choose a CAAHEP Accredited Diagnostic Sonography Program?
When a school becomes accredited, it means that they have been able to pass a series of guidelines and program reviews from an independent agency. The most widely recognized accrediting body for sonography programs is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). A school can be accredited by the CAAHEP once it has met their DMS Accreditation Standards and Guidelines. This ensures that the school can provide a high quality education to their students as they prepare to enter the healthcare workforce.
The successful completion of an accredited ultrasound program in Kentucky is the most comprehensive and direct way students can earn eligibility to sit for the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) exam, as well as a specialty exam. Passing both of their exams will allow you to receive professional certification in diagnostic medical sonography.
If you’re currently enrolled in or have been accepted to a CAAHEP accredited program, you’re also eligible to apply for the UltrasoundSchoolsInfo $1,000 scholarship. Click here to learn more.
Accredited Ultrasound Technician Schools in Kentucky in 2025
The following Kentucky schools have been accredited by CAAHEP and offer degrees or certificates in diagnostic medical sonography as of November 2024:
| School | Programs Offered | Prerequisites | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Community and Technical College 164 Opportunity Way Lexington, KY 40511 |
Associate of Applied Science, Cardiac or Vascular sonography track | Admissions is selective and based on cumulative points assigned to test scores and previous education, among others. | Start your application here |
| Hazard Community and Technical College One Community College Drive Hazard, KY 41701 |
Associate of Applied Science, General or Vascular sonography track | Point-based system based on GPA and ACT scores, among others | Start your application here |
| Elizabethtown Community and Technical College 600 College Street Elizabethtown, KY 42701 |
Associate of Applied Science, ObGyn of Abdominal-Extended sonography track | Completion of prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or better, attendance at a required pre-admission conference | Request information to get started. |
| MedQuest College 1575 Winchester Road Suite 110 Lexington, KY 40505 |
Associate of Applied Science in Adult Cardiac or Vascular Sonography | Certain college-level prerequisite courses must be completed prior to application. | Complete the form to get started. |
| Morehead State University 316 West 2nd Street CHER 210H Morehead, KY 40351 |
Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography | Admission to Moorehead, plus certain prerequisite courses with a minimum 2.5 GPA. | DMS application package due by April 1st |
| West Kentucky Community and Technical College 4810 Alben Barkley Drive Paducah, KY 42001 |
AAS in medical sonography, General or Vascular specialty track | ACT and GPA requirements for required pre-coursework. | Applications due by March 1st |
| * This information is obtained from a number of sources, is provided without charge, and is believed to be accurate. Please contact us with updates. | |||
Advice From the Experts
Dr. Dawson (MD, RDMS, RDCS) the Director of Emergency Ultrasound at the University of Kentucky and Director of Ultrasound for Mesa Medical Group, and Dr. Mallin (MD, RDCS, RDMS, ASCeXAM) the Director of Emergency Ultrasound and the Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship at the University of Utah, founders and co-hosts of the Ultrasound Podcast.
“Most of our listeners are clinicians, physician assistants, medical students, residents, ultrasound techs…Most of the information we cover is clinically oriented so I think anyone using or considering using ultrasound to take better care of their patients could gain something from our podcast…. and maybe teach us a thing or two (which actually happens a good bit).”
Kentucky Student Scholarships and Awards
Financing an education is typically one of the biggest concerns for students and their families. There’s a lot to learn, and the information found in our Financial Aid Portal can help. Below are just a few of the available scholarships for students who qualify in Kentucky:
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility Requirements | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound Schools Info | $1,000 | Aspiring sonographer currently enrolled in/ accepted to a CAAHEP accredited DMS program. | Ultrasound Schools Info Attn: Scholarship Committee PO Box 3026 Bellingham, WA 98227 scholarship@ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com |
| Kentucky Tuition Grant | Up to $2,960 | Demonstrate financial need and be enrolled in a full-time associate’s or bachelor’s program at a participating institution. | Complete the FASFA. |
| Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship | Varies | Must have at least a 2.5 GPA each year at a participating Kentucky high school. The higher your GPA, ACT, or SAT scores, the higher your award amount. | Contact your financial aid office. |
| The Alan D. Waggoner Sonographer Student Scholarship Award | $1,000 | Students attending a CAAHEP accredited program with an interest in echocardiography and leadership. | American Society of Echocardiography The Society for Cardiovascular Ultrasound Professionals 2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 450 Durham, NC 27713 919.861.5574 |
How Much do Ultrasound Techs Make in Kentucky?
Sonographers in Kentucky made a mean annual salary of $74,610 in 2023. Conditions in your area may vary.
The salary you earn can depend on a number of factors, including level of education and experience and type of employer. An Associate of Science Degree in DMS is required to become an entry level sonographer, however earning a Bachelor’s Degree can open you up to higher paying job positions.
Geographic location can also affect your salary as a sonographer. The table below provides the mean salaries in some metropolitan areas of Kentucky (BLS, 2023):
| Metropolitan Area | 2023 Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | $76,470 |
| Owensboro, KY | $69,450 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $74,380 |
| South Central Kentucky | $70,500 |
Certification Requirements in Kentucky
Kentucky does not require their diagnostic medical sonographers to carry a specific license or credential. Most employers, however, will require you to have your credentials. The most widely accepted certification is provided by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The only way to earn ARDMS certification is by taking and passing their exam. In order to qualify, you must meet their prerequisites. Once you have, you can take the exam at one of the two testing locations in Kentucky:
- 9400 Bunsen Pkwy #220, Louisville, KY 40220
- 2720 Old Rosebud Rd, Lexington, KY 40509
Additional Certification Information
Certification overview
About the ARDMS
Ultrasound Technician Schools in Louisville
Louisville has outperformed the rest of the country in terms of job growth and income over the last decade, and the healthcare industry has strongly influenced that growth. The greater Louisville business and education community has recently developed a program called Degrees at Work, which aims to increase the number of working adults who possess a college degree. The program aims to ease the transition back to school by providing resources around college knowledge, affordability, logistics, and ongoing support.
Be part of this educated community by attending a program that trains you to become a qualified healthcare provider in sonography or a related allied healthcare field.
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