Criminal background and ARDMS

I am in my 4th month of an ultrasound program, and after going over the ARDMS website, I am suddenly petrified that a couple of incidents from a long time ago could prevent me from ARDMS eligibility.

In 1989 (it will be 20 years old by the time I graduate) I got a DUI, and in 1992 I was convicted of a hit and run. Both of these were misdemeanors, and I have had no arrests or problems with the law since. After the 1992 incident, I got my act together, went back to school, received a Bachelors Degree, and like I say have had no further legal altercations.

It never occurred to me that this might be an issue when it comes to certification. I have a friend that received a total of 3 DUI's (2 of which were fairly recent) before he finally stopped drinking and is working as a nurse's assistant and is studying for LVN, so I just figured I wouldn't have any problems in ultrasound.

I know there is a procedure where you can submit the details of your situation to the ARDMS and pay $125 and they will investigate it and basically tell you whether or not you can take the exams, and of course I'm going to do that, but I was just wondering if anybody here knows anything. I'm having trouble sleeping because of the thought that the thousands of dollars and all the hours I've spent so far might all be for nothing, and that my dream will be over before it starts.

Help!!!

E-Z said: I am in my 4th month of an ultrasound program, and after going over the ARDMS website, I am suddenly petrified that a couple of incidents from a long time ago could prevent me from ARDMS eligibility.

In 1989 (it will be 20 years old by the time I graduate) I got a DUI, and in 1992 I was convicted of a hit and run. Both of these were misdemeanors, and I have had no arrests or problems with the law since. After the 1992 incident, I got my act together, went back to school, received a Bachelors Degree, and like I say have had no further legal altercations.

It never occurred to me that this might be an issue when it comes to certification. I have a friend that received a total of 3 DUI's (2 of which were fairly recent) before he finally stopped drinking and is working as a nurse's assistant and is studying for LVN, so I just figured I wouldn't have any problems in ultrasound.

I know there is a procedure where you can submit the details of your situation to the ARDMS and pay $125 and they will investigate it and basically tell you whether or not you can take the exams, and of course I'm going to do that, but I was just wondering if anybody here knows anything. I'm having trouble sleeping because of the thought that the thousands of dollars and all the hours I've spent so far might all be for nothing, and that my dream will be over before it starts.

Help!!!

Hi, have you heard of expunging your record? There are a ton of companies that can do this for your for about $300. In Oregon if it has been 3 years since you last misdemeanor you can get it completely taken off your record, if you had two misdemeanors like you did, you can get them removed after 10 years. Just type in something like expunging record in (whatever state you live it) and you will see the rules for what can and cannot be expunged. Hope this is helpful and that you have the best of luck.. I have to wait about 9 years to get my misdemeanors expunged myself.

Thanks Matt, I hadn't thought of that. After reading your post, I did some online research on the subject of expungement and/or dismissal. I'm not sure if it will work with the ARDMS, but it might, since it is not a government-issued license. It will definitely help me in my job search, though, because I will be able to answer "no" when asked if I have any convictions on my record! Thanks again, I think I'll be able to sleep better now!