BR vs FE: ARDMS Exam Comparison
This page compares the ARDMS Breast (BR) and Fetal Echocardiography (FE) exams side by side. They differ in clinical scope, content focus, career setting, and 2025 pass-rate data.
BR vs FE: Exam Comparison
| Factor | Breast (BR) | Fetal Echocardiography (FE) |
|---|---|---|
| Credential earned | RDMS | RDMS |
| Question count | 150 | 145 |
| Exam duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Passing score | 555/700 | 555/700 |
| 2025 first-time pass rate | 77% | 75% |
| 2025 repeat pass rate | 49% | 41% |
| 2025 overall pass rate | 71% | 68% |
| Difficulty level | Moderate | Moderate |
Source: ARDMS/APCA Global Exam Performance Summary Report, 2025. First-time and repeat rates describe different candidate groups and do not by themselves establish exam difficulty.
About the Breast (BR) Exam
The ARDMS Breast (BR) specialty exam covers breast anatomy, the ACR BI-RADS lexicon, benign and malignant pathology patterns, image-guided procedures, and supplemental screening. The BI-RADS framework is the organizational backbone of the entire exam and must be understood at a category-by-category level.
About the Fetal Echocardiography (FE) Exam
The ARDMS Fetal Echocardiography (FE) specialty exam is among the most clinically specialized credentials in diagnostic ultrasound. It covers normal fetal cardiac development, the full spectrum of congenital heart defects, fetal arrhythmias, cardiac Doppler assessment, and genetic associations with structural heart disease.
Key Topics Compared
BR Key Topics
- Breast anatomy
- BI-RADS classification
- Cystic lesions
- Solid masses
- Fibroadenoma
- Breast carcinoma
- Ductal pathology
- Lymph node assessment
- Breast implant evaluation
- Interventional procedures
- Elastography
- Male breast pathology
FE Key Topics
- Four-chamber view
- Outflow tracts
- Ventricular septal defects
- Atrial septal defects
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of great arteries
- Coarctation of aorta
- Hypoplastic left heart
- Fetal arrhythmias
- Ebstein anomaly
- Fetal Doppler hemodynamics
- Ductus arteriosus
Among 2025 candidates, BR first-time and repeat pass rates were 77% and 49% (a 28-point gap); FE rates were 75% and 41% (a 34-point gap). These are separate groups, not a measure of individual improvement.
Which Exam Should You Take First?
The right choice depends on your clinical background, your current employer's needs, and your long-term career goals. Sonographers with strong clinical experience in breast imaging should consider the BR exam first, as applied clinical knowledge transfers directly to board performance. Similarly, those working predominantly in fetal echocardiography settings will find the FE exam more immediately supported by their daily practice.
- Career goals: The RDMS (BR) and RDMS (FE) serve different clinical roles. Consider which aligns better with your desired work environment.
- Pass rate confidence: With a 77% first-time pass rate, BR may be a confidence-building first exam if you are early in your career. These rates compare separate candidate groups, not the inherent difficulty of an exam.
- Clinical experience: Take the exam that aligns with your strongest clinical rotations or work experience. Hands-on scanning experience impacts exam readiness.
- Prerequisite: Both specialty credentials require a passing SPI score. If you haven't taken the SPI yet, that should be your first priority regardless of specialty choice.
Both exams reward structured, domain-aligned preparation. The FE first-time pass rate is 75% compared with 77% for BR; use these cohort results as context rather than a prediction of your individual outcome.