Start with our POCUS Fundamentals Certificate

The POCUS Fundamentals Certificate is the essential starting point for clinicians and healthcare professionals new to point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) or preparing for advanced certifications. This self-paced, online program includes a structured review of foundational topics—ultrasound physics, instrumentation, machine modes, transducers, safety, and bioeffects—followed by a summative assessment to verify understanding.

Designed to build core competency and confidence, this certificate helps learners establish a strong foundation in ultrasound principles and serves as a required prerequisite for individual and specialty POCUS certifications (unless waived—see eligibility).

After completing the program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the principles of ultrasound physics
• Define echogenicity and attenuation
• List and explain the ultrasound machine settings and modes
• Identify the different transducer types
• Describe ultrasound safety principles, ultrasound artifacts, and ultrasound bioeffects

A verified digital badge and a certificate of completion will be issued to recognize your achievement and unlock eligibility for advanced POCUS certifications.

There are eight learning modules. Each module includes an interactive review and a knowledge check. The modules are in the following topic areas:​

1. Principles of Ultrasound Physics
2. Echogenicity and Attenuation
3. Machine Modes
4. Instrumentation
5. Transducers
6. Image Orientation
7. Ultrasound Artifacts
8. Safety and Bioeffects

The assessment contains 35 questions in multiple-choice format. Some incorporate images or graphics. The percentages below show an approximate distribution of the questions across the content areas.

• Instrumentation – 37%
• Basic Principles of Ultrasound – 27%
• Ultrasound Artifacts – 22%
• Safety and Bioeffects – 14%

Please note, the summative assessment can only be attempted once.

Participants have 30 days from the date of purchase to complete the certificate. You’ll have unlimited access to the modules until the assessment is started.

The Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Certification Academy has partnered with official POCUS Education Providers to provide education and training resources to practitioners needing to learn more about the proper use of POCUS. For more details, please refer to the Education Bundles Page.