A J$_{IC}$ test procedure by ultrasonic method performed to observe the crack opening behavior of fatigue precrack and detect the initiation of crack propagation of compact tension specimen in this paper. Pulse-echo method with 5 MHz transducer was used on the Cr-Mo steel quenched and tempered at 593.deg. C. We obtained the following results in the elastic-plastic fracture toughness test by ultrasonic method. Echo height is a little increased linearly and rapidly at the early stage of loading . Then it is decreased considerably, finally at the unstable crack growth stage, it is rapidly increased at an unpredictable rae. The initiation of crack propagation is supposed to be at the stage deviated from linearly decreased region and then blunted. J$_{IC}$ value(10.15-12.15 Kgf/mm) by ultrasonic method is lower than that(12.2 Kgf/mm) by R-curve method. But, it is required that the research for the more exact evaluation about correlation between echo height and the crack opening behavior of precrack tip will be continued. continued.ued.