ARDMS Credentialing Updates 2026: What Sonographers Need to Know Now

Last Updated on May 20, 2026 by Don Gerig, RDCS

If you hold an ARDMS credential, the 2026 Maintenance of Certification changes are no longer something coming in the future. They are here, and many sonographers are now working through the SKILLS platform for the first time.

When these updates were first announced, most of the conversation focused on what was changing. Now that we are further into 2026, the more practical questions are different:

• Have you completed your Knowledge Confirmation requirements so far?
• Did you miss a previous quarterly quiz?
• What happens if you fall behind?
• How long does the process actually take?
• Is it difficult, or is it manageable?

To add a real-world perspective, Don recently completed his first quarterly SKILLS quiz for his RDCS credential. In this article, we’ll review what changed, what the SKILLS experience was actually like, and what sonographers should do now to stay current.

Quick Review: What Changed in 2026

As of January 1, 2026, active ARDMS certificants with RDMS, RDCS, RVT, or RMSKS credentials are required to complete annual, specialty-specific Knowledge Confirmation through the Inteleos SKILLS platform.

For these credentials, the annual Knowledge Confirmation requirement includes 40 questions per specialty each year, released as four quarterly quizzes of 10 questions each. These quizzes are due by December 31 each year.

The goal is to make credential maintenance more continuous throughout the year rather than relying only on periodic CME cycles.

Are You Current With the New Requirements?

If you haven’t logged into SKILLS yet this year, now is a good time to check your status.

Inside the SKILLS platform, you can view your quiz progress, score, and year-to-date completion status for each specialty you hold. If you hold multiple specialties, you’ll need to check each specialty individually from the drop-down menu. There’s currently no combined “all specialties” view.

That part matters. If you hold RDCS and RVT, for example, you’re not just completing one set of questions. You’re responsible for the Knowledge Confirmation questions assigned to each active specialty you want to keep current.

Did You Miss a Previous Quarter’s SKILLS Quiz?

SKILLS quizzes are released quarterly throughout the year. If you’ve completed the quizzes released so far, that’s great.

But If you missed a previous quarterly SKILLS quiz, don’t panic, you still have time. According to Inteleos, the annual requirement must be completed by December 31, regardless of which quarter the questions were released.

According to Inteleos, quizzes are released quarterly, but the annual requirement is based on completing all 40 questions released during the year for each specialty and reaching at least 80% correct cumulatively by December 31.

In other words, missing a previous quiz does not automatically mean you failed your credential maintenance requirement. But it does mean you should log into SKILLS, review what has been released for your specialty, and complete the available questions.

The longer you wait, the more stressful it may feel, especially if you hold multiple credentials or specialties.

Is the SKILLS Quiz Pass or Fail?

Not in the traditional sense.

Inteleos explains that SKILLS does not use a pass/fail score on individual quizzes. Instead, your cumulative performance across the year is what matters. You need to reach at least 80% correct across the 40 annual questions for each specialty.

If you answer a question incorrectly, the platform provides an explanation and learning resources before you continue. You also have unlimited attempts to answer each question before choosing to skip it. However, once you submit or skip a question, that answer cannot be changed. Skipped questions count as incorrect.

That’s important to note, because the process is designed to be more like ongoing learning as opposed to a high-stakes registry exam.

A Fair Concern From Sonographers

It’s worth acknowledging the frustration some sonographers are feeling about this change. Many labs are already busy, short-staffed, and stretched thin, so even a small added requirement can feel like one more thing on an already full plate.

After going through it myself, I found the process much less burdensome than expected. The key is not letting the questions pile up. One short quiz at a time is much easier than trying to catch up at the end of the year.

A Real-World Look at the SKILLS Platform

Don recently completed his first quarterly SKILLS quiz for his RDCS credential, and overall, the process was much easier than he expected.

From start to finish, it took about 15–20 minutes. Logging in was smooth, the platform was easy to navigate, and the questions were fair. Some were quick and straightforward, while others made him pause and think through the answer choices before responding.

Don admits he is not a naturally great test taker, so the first quiz came with a little apprehension. At first, it felt a bit like preparing to sit for the ARDMS exam again. But once he got into the quiz, his mindset shifted from, “I have to pass another test,” to, “Maybe I’ll actually learn something from this.”

The questions felt clinically relevant and covered a wide range of topics. The explanations after missed questions were also helpful. They made the process feel more educational than punitive, which is exactly what this type of maintenance process should be.

Overall, the process was manageable. It was not stressful or frustrating, and it could easily be completed in one sitting. Don said he would rather complete each quarterly quiz as it becomes available instead of letting all 40 questions pile up at the end of the year.

His advice: pay attention to the questions you miss. They may reveal areas where you can grow clinically. If you approach SKILLS as a learning tool instead of just another requirement, the process can actually be useful.

How Long Does It Take?

This may vary depending on your specialty, comfort level, and how many quizzes you need to complete.

For most sonographers, one quarterly set of 10 questions should be fairly manageable. The bigger issue is not the length of one quiz. It is staying organized if you hold multiple specialties.

If you hold more than one credential or specialty, make sure you check each one separately in the SKILLS dashboard.

What If You Don’t Complete the Annual Requirement?

If you do not complete all 40 questions and do not meet the minimum 80% cumulative score for a specialty by December 31, you will not meet the MOC requirement for that specialty. Inteleos states that the specialty or certification will be revoked and a reinstatement process will apply.

That is why it is worth checking your status now rather than waiting until the end of the year.

What About CME Requirements?

The CME requirement has also changed.

For RDMS, RDCS, RVT, and RMSKS certificants, the CME requirement has been reduced from 30 CME credits to 25 CME credits for CME periods ending on or after December 31, 2026. CME periods ending on or before December 31, 2025 still required 30 credits.

This reduction helps balance the additional time required for annual Knowledge Confirmation.

What Sonographers Should Do Now

If you have not checked your status recently, here is a simple plan:

• Log into your MY ARDMS account
• Access the SKILLS platform
• Select each specialty you hold from the drop-down menu
• Review your quarterly and year-to-date quiz progress
• Complete any available questions
• Confirm that your contact information is current
• Track your CME period and confirm whether the 25-credit requirement applies to you

The process is not difficult, but it does require attention. The sonographers who stay current throughout the year will likely find this much easier than those who wait until December.

How CardioServ Can Help

At CardioServ, we know credentialing changes can feel overwhelming, especially when you are balancing patient care, lab responsibilities, and continuing education.

While CardioServ’s CME program is currently offline, we are preparing to relaunch in October 2026 as Better Cardiology, a much improved CME platform built for cardiovascular imaging professionals.

In the meantime, CardioServ will continue to provide practical education, industry updates, and resources to help sonographers stay informed about changes affecting credentialing, accreditation, and clinical practice.

Better Cardiology will be designed to help imaging professionals stay current with practical, clinically focused education that supports real-world cardiovascular imaging.

Final Thoughts

The new ARDMS Knowledge Confirmation process is here, and the best approach is to stay ahead of it.

If you missed a previous quiz, don’t panic. But don’t ignore it either. Log into SKILLS, check your progress, complete any available questions, and make sure you understand what is required for each specialty you hold.

The process is more manageable when handled quarterly. Waiting until the end of the year may turn something simple into something stressful.

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