FE vs PS: ARDMS Exam Comparison
This page compares the ARDMS Fetal Echocardiography (FE) and Pediatric Sonography (PS) exams side by side. Both are ARDMS-administered specialty examinations, but they differ in clinical scope, content focus, career setting, and 2025 pass-rate data.
FE vs PS: Exam Comparison
| Factor | Fetal Echocardiography (FE) | Pediatric Sonography (PS) |
|---|---|---|
| Credential earned | RDMS | RDMS |
| Question count | 170 | 170 |
| Exam duration | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| 2025 first-time pass rate | 75% | 71% |
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.
About the Pediatric Sonography (PS) Exam
The ARDMS Pediatric Sonography (PS) specialty exam tests age-specific anatomy, neonatal pathology, and clinical skills that differ fundamentally from adult sonography. Key content areas include neonatal cranial ultrasound, developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), pyloric stenosis, and the spectrum of pediatric abdominal and genitourinary pathology.
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 fetal echocardiography imaging should consider the FE exam first, as applied clinical knowledge transfers directly to board performance. Similarly, those working predominantly in pediatric sonography settings will find the PS exam more immediately supported by their daily practice.
Both credentials are valuable additions to a multi-specialty credential portfolio. The 2025 first-time pass rates — 75% for FE and 71% for PS — underscore the importance of structured, domain-aligned preparation for whichever exam you choose first.
Dig Deeper Into Each Specialty
- Fetal Echocardiography (FE) exam prep · FE practice questions
- Pediatric Sonography (PS) exam prep · PS practice questions
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