Criminal Background Check and Drug Testing Policy

Prior to final acceptance into the program, at the student’s own expense, the student shall submit to a background check and to drug testing through an agency chosen by UMBC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program (DMSP).

Applicants must pass the background check and drug testing to be accepted and/or remain in the program.
UMBC has the right, upon notice and at any time, to require a student to comply with additional drug testing.
Our clinical affiliates require that we send send drug-free students (including marijuana) to our clinical sites.

Instructions for completing required screenings will be included with the acceptance letter. Acceptance is contingent upon the results of the background check and drug screening.

If an accepted applicant or student tests positive for dangerous substances or illegal drugs (including marijuana taken with or without a prescription and prescription drugs not taken in accordance with a valid prescription) that individual will be denied admission or dismissed from the program.

Credentialing Agencies and Criminal Matters

If you have misdemeanor and/or felony charges (including expunged records) on your record (other than parking and/or speeding violations), you may not be able to qualify for the required American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) credentialing exams.

ARDMS developed the Compliance Pre-Determination Application (PDA) review process for individuals who wish to determine the impact of a previous criminal or disciplinary matter on their eligibility to apply for ARDMS certification.

Under the PDA review process, ARDMS will review only actual (not hypothetical) cases in which an individual has been:

Disciplined by a certifying body, licensing or other regulatory authority, accrediting body, or national professional association; or
Convicted, pled guilty or nolo contendere concerning a crime (felony or misdemeanor), other than a speeding or parking violation. ARDMS will also consider matters involving deferred or withheld adjudication, suspended or withheld sentences, and military court marshals.

You must apply for the PDA review process and receive a determination letter from the credentialing agency, ARDMS, prior to submitting your UMBC Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program application.

ARDMS suggests that their review process can take 1-6 months to complete.

If you receive a “pre-determined eligible letter” from ARDMS, you may apply to the UMBC DMSP and submit the letter with your application.
If you receive an “eligibility denied letter” from ARDMS, you are not eligible to apply to UMBC DMSP.