MSK Ultrasound Education and Credentialing

Pathway for Education in Diagnostic Ultrasound in Working Toward the RMSK

The American Institute for Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), Inteleos, and APTA (through the AOPT and Imaging SIG) are working cooperatively to expand the expert utilization of diagnostic ultrasound in physical therapist practice. Part of this effort is in establishing an educational pathway consistent with meeting the prerequisites for earning the Registered in Musculoskeletal Sonography (RMSK) credential.

The following description of the cooperative agreement has been agreed upon by all three organizations:

The American Physical Therapy Association, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and Inteleos are committed to a collaborative effort to support the education, performance, certification, and accreditation of physical therapists and their practices in the field of musculoskeletal ultrasound. A structured pathway of education and training will provide physical therapists with quality opportunities to advance their proficiency. By successfully completing the pathway, they can earn the Registered in Musculoskeletal (RMSK) sonography certification and improve their practice’s eligibility for AIUM practice accreditation. The combined effort of APTA, AIUM, and Inteleos will help bridge the gap for physical therapists in their pursuit of individual competency and practice accreditation.”

The resources available from AIUM consistent with the prerequisites for earning the RMSK are published on AIUM’s website at: AIUM Learning : Product Catalog :: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. Thus, practitioners interested in developing greater depth of knowledge of ultrasonography in practice and working toward meeting the pre-requisites of the RMSK credential are encouraged to become members of AIUM and undertake a self-study plan including these educational resources.

Also accompanying is the link to Inteleos, the credentialing body offering the RMSK, with information descriptive of all the requirements to be eligible for the RMSK. Physical therapists earning the RMSK credential is extremely important to the overall imaging in physical therapist practice effort. We can validate our expertise with external entities and strengthen our position for improving reimbursement for diagnostic ultrasound with increasing numbers of qualified physical therapists.

All relevant information is available at: http://www.apca.org/msk

If you have any questions, please contact the APCA Customer Care department via email at other@APCA.org or call 1-800-943-1709 ext. 1 Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 4:00pm ET.

Additional information on AIUM is available at: https://www.aium.org/