More and more Pakistani doctors are earning the RDMS credential from ARDMS to work in ultrasound in the Gulf, the US and at home. This guide explains the route for an MBBS doctor step by step: which prerequisite you use, which exams to take, what they cost and how to prepare.
The route for MBBS doctors in five steps
- Choose the Physician prerequisite. ARDMS has a pathway for MD, DO and MBBS holders. You need a current medical licence or registration (one from any country is accepted, for example PMDC), an experience letter and a signed Clinical Verification form showing 500 diagnostic ultrasound studies in the specialty over six months.
- Build and keep your case log. Log every study as you scan. Keep the log for at least 36 months, as applications can be audited.
- Apply on the Inteleos portal. ARDMS is part of Inteleos, which runs applications and exams. Upload your documents and pay the fee for each exam.
- Pass SPI and one specialty within five years. RDMS needs the SPI physics exam plus at least one specialty: Abdomen, OB/GYN, Breast, Pediatric Sonography or Fetal Echocardiography.
- Book your exam at a Pearson VUE test centre. Use the Pearson VUE locator to find the nearest available centre.
Which exams, and what they cost
| Exam | Format | Fee (Inteleos) |
|---|---|---|
| SPI (physics) | About 110 questions, 2 hours | US$275 |
| Abdomen (AB) | About 165 questions, 3 hours | US$300 |
| OB/GYN | About 170 questions, 3 hours | US$300 |
| Vascular Technology (RVT credential) | About 170 questions, 3 hours | US$300 |
| Musculoskeletal (RMSKS credential) | About 195 questions, 4 hours | US$300 |
| Breast | About 150 questions, 3 hours | US$300 |
The passing score is 555 on a 300–700 scale. If you fail, you can reapply after 3 days but must wait 60 days to sit the same exam again. Fees and formats change, so confirm on the Inteleos website before you pay.
Which specialty should a Pakistani doctor take first?
- SPI + Abdomen suits radiologists, general sonologists and doctors who scan adults.
- SPI + OB/GYN suits gynaecologists and doctors working in antenatal clinics.
- RVT suits vascular and interventional work; MSK suits sports and orthopaedic imaging.
Most doctors pass SPI first because physics is the same for every specialty, then add specialties later without re-sitting SPI while their status stays active.
How to prepare while working
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | SPI physics chapter by chapter: waves, transducers, resolution, instrumentation, Doppler, artifacts, bioeffects. Do 30–40 MCQs a day. |
| 5–6 | Timed SPI mocks (110 questions in 2 hours), then book SPI. |
| 7–12 | Your specialty: normal anatomy and measurements first, then pathology and Doppler, with daily MCQs. |
| Final 2 weeks | Full timed mocks and your weak zones only. |
Useful free resources on this site: the ARDMS hub with free questions, the SPI exam guide and the last-minute reviews for SPI, Abdomen and OB/GYN.
Members get 7,000 ARDMS MCQs on separate pages for SPI, Abdomen, OB/GYN, RVT, MSK and Breast, and Dr Abdullah (Radiologist, RDMS) runs ARDMS coaching classes online.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Pakistani MBBS doctor get RDMS?
Yes. ARDMS has a Physician prerequisite for MD, DO and MBBS holders: a current medical licence or registration from any country (such as PMDC), an experience letter and a Clinical Verification form showing 500 diagnostic studies in the specialty over six months.
How much does ARDMS cost for Pakistani doctors?
Inteleos lists US$275 for the SPI exam and US$300 for each specialty exam, so SPI plus one specialty is about US$575 in exam fees, plus travel to a test centre and study materials. Check current fees before applying.
Which ARDMS exam should I take first?
Most doctors take SPI physics first, then Abdomen or OB/GYN depending on their work. SPI and the specialty must both be passed within five years.
Is RDMS useful in the Gulf?
Many Gulf employers value ARDMS credentials for sonography roles, but licensing rules differ by country and authority. Check with the health authority (for example DHA, DOH, SCFHS or QCHP) for the role you want.
Exam facts from Inteleos (ARDMS) exam and prerequisite pages, checked November 2026. Always confirm current rules on inteleos.org.