Radiologic Technologist Certification

Becoming a rad tech means graduating an accredited program, passing the ARRT exam to earn your R.T.(R), and getting a state license where required. Here's how each step actually works.

Radiologic technologist certification icon

Did You Know?

Passing the ARRT exam doesn't automatically let you work. Most states require a separate license on top of your national R.T.(R) credential — and a handful of states have no licensing law at all.

How Rad Tech Certification Actually Works

The path runs in a clear order. First, you graduate from an ARRT-recognized program, usually one accredited by JRCERT. Near graduation, you apply for the ARRT Radiography exam through your program and pay the $225 fee. Pass it, and you earn the R.T.(R) credential — a national certification. But certification isn't the same as a license. Certification is issued by ARRT nationwide; a license is legal permission to work, issued by your state. Most states require both, so you'll often need a state license in addition to R.T.(R).

Earning the credential once isn't the end. To keep your R.T.(R) active, you complete 24 continuing education credits every two years, renew your ARRT registration annually, and stay compliant with ARRT's ethics standards. Once you're established, voluntary post-primary certifications open doors. Specialties like CT, MRI, and mammography require an active R.T.(R) plus documented clinical experience — they're optional, not required, but they typically push your pay above the $77,660 median for radiologic technologists.

Visual Guide

Radiology Technologist Certification Pins

Flip through Pinterest-style infographics that explain radiology tech certification, ARRT eligibility, exam requirements, state licensing, and next steps after certification.

Certification vs. License — and Other Things People Mix Up

Three pairs that new rad techs constantly confuse. Flip through the tabs to see exactly how each one differs.

ARRT Certification — R.T.(R)

Who Issues It ARRT, a national certifying body, the same everywhere in the U.S.

Typical Cost $225 exam fee, plus annual registration renewal to stay active.

When You Need It After graduating your program; most employers require it to hire you.

How You Keep It 24 CE credits every two years, annual renewal, ethics compliance.

Bottom-Line Role Proves you meet national competency standards for the profession.

State License

Who Issues It Your state's radiologic health board or licensing agency.

Typical Cost Varies by state; often a separate application and renewal fee.

When You Need It Before working legally in most states; some states require none.

How You Keep It Periodic renewal per state rules, often tied to CE credits.

Bottom-Line Role Legal permission to actually practice within that specific state.

Bottom line: Certification proves your competence nationally; a license is the legal right to work in one state. Most jobs require both, so plan on earning your R.T.(R) and then licensing where you live.

Primary R.T.(R)

What It Is The core radiography credential every rad tech starts with.

Typical Cost $225 exam fee plus ongoing annual registration renewal.

When You Need It Required to work as a radiologic technologist in most jobs.

How You Keep It 24 CE credits every two years and annual renewal.

Bottom-Line Role Your foundational license to practice general radiography.

Post-Primary Certs (CT, MRI, etc.)

What It Is Voluntary specialty credentials in CT, MRI, mammography, or interventional.

Typical Cost Separate application and exam fees on top of R.T.(R).

When You Need It Never required; pursued to specialize and boost earning power.

How You Keep It Same CE and renewal cycle folds into your ARRT registration.

Bottom-Line Role Optional career booster that typically raises your pay.

Bottom line: Your R.T.(R) is required to work. Post-primary certifications are completely voluntary — you need an active R.T.(R) and documented clinical experience first, but they can meaningfully raise your salary.

First Attempt

What It Is Your initial sitting for the 200-question ARRT Radiography exam.

Typical Cost $225 exam fee for this first attempt.

When You Need It Taken near graduation once your program confirms eligibility.

How You Keep It Pass with a scaled score of 75 to earn R.T.(R).

Bottom-Line Role Your best shot with fresh program knowledge still sharp.

Retaking the Exam

What It Is A second or third sitting after a failed attempt.

Typical Cost $225 again for each retake attempt.

When You Need It If you scored below 75; you get up to three total.

How You Keep It All attempts must fall within a three-year eligibility window.

Bottom-Line Role A real second chance, with limits worth respecting.

Bottom line: You get up to three attempts within three years, each costing $225. Plenty of people pass on a retake, but after three failures regaining eligibility requires substantial extra steps — so prepare thoroughly the first time.

State rules and fees vary a lot, and a few states don't license rad techs at all. Always verify current requirements with your own state radiologic health board.

Credential Check

Certification, Licensing, and Renewal

Three things people mix up about the R.T.(R) credential, untangled.

vs. Surgical Tech Cert vs. License Renewal

2 national certifying bodies

Radiography and surgical technology both run on national certification — the ARRT for rad techs, the NBSTSA for surgical techs — with a comparable exam-after-accredited-program structure. If you're weighing the two fields, the credentialing effort is similar; see how the OR-side path works in our surgical technologist guide.

2 separate steps in most states

ARRT certification is national; a state license is a separate legal permission to work, and most states require both. Getting the order right matters, which is why the step-by-step sequence in our guide on how to become a radiologic technologist starts with accreditation, not the exam.

24 CE credits every two years

The credential isn't one-and-done: ARRT renewal runs on a two-year cycle of continuing education, plus a Continuing Qualifications Requirement every ten years. Most working techs earn CE through the ASRT, which bundles approved courses with membership.

Quick Answers

Holding the Credential

What the R.T.(R) does and doesn't cover.

Does certification decide what I'm allowed to do on the job?

Only partly — the credential proves competence, but the legal list of what you may perform is set by state law and varies at the border. Our breakdown of the rad tech scope of practice covers where the common lines fall.

Can I add more certifications later?

Yes — that's the design. Once your primary R.T.(R) is in good standing, post-primary registries in CT, MRI, and mammography stack on top through documented experience plus an exam, no new degree required. The pathways are compared on our imaging specialties page.

What happens if my certification lapses?

A short lapse is usually fixable with back CE and reinstatement fees, but let it run long enough and you're re-taking the exam. Employers also verify status directly with the ARRT, so a lapse tends to surface fast.

What's on the ARRT Radiography Exam?

The exam splits into four content areas of different weight. Tap each bar to see what that section actually tests.

200 scored questions · about 3.5 hours · passing score 75

Positioning for chest, abdomen, and extremities
Skull, spine, and pelvis projections
Contrast studies and fluoroscopy procedures
Anatomy identification on radiographs
Patient positioning terminology and landmarks

Radiation protection for patients and staff
Dose limits and ALARA principles
Shielding, collimation, and beam restriction
Personnel monitoring and exposure records
Biological effects of ionizing radiation

Exposure factors: kVp, mAs, and technique
Image receptors and digital processing
Evaluating image quality and artifacts
Equipment components and function
Grids, filtration, and beam factors

Vital signs and patient assessment
Infection control and standard precautions
Medications, contrast reactions, and emergencies
Ethics, consent, and patient communication
Assisting patients with mobility and transfers

Procedures is the biggest slice at 70 questions, so positioning knowledge carries real weight. Don't neglect Patient Care though — it's the smallest section but still worth 33 scored questions.

🎓 Preparing for ARRT Certification

Your accredited program is built to get you exam-ready. Coursework and clinical rotations map directly to the four ARRT content areas, and most programs weave in practice exams and review sessions during your final term. When you near graduation, you apply for the ARRT exam through your program — your school verifies you've met the education and ethics requirements before ARRT approves you to test at a Pearson VUE center.

Most students study steadily over their last few months rather than cramming. Procedures and positioning tend to be the toughest sections because they carry the most questions. If you don't pass, you can retake — up to three attempts within a three-year window — but retaking costs another $225 each time, so serious preparation pays off.

The Credentialing Steps in Detail

📝 Step 1: Pass the ARRT Radiography Exam ▼

Timing: Applied for near graduation; about 3.5 hours at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Cost: $225 per attempt.

Who It's For: Graduates of ARRT-recognized programs who meet ethics standards.

What to Expect:

200 scored multiple-choice questions plus unscored pilot questions.
Four content areas: Procedures, Safety, Image Production, and Patient Care.

Outcome: A scaled score of 75 or higher earns your R.T.(R) credential.

🏛️ Step 2: Get Your State License ▼

Timing: After earning R.T.(R), before working in most states.

Cost: Varies by state — a separate application and renewal fee.

Who It's For: Anyone practicing in a state with a licensing law, which is most of them.

What to Expect:

Submit proof of your ARRT certification with a state application.
A few states have no licensing law, so requirements differ.

Outcome: Legal permission to work as a rad tech in that state.

🔄 Step 3: Renew and Complete CE ▼

Timing: Annual ARRT registration renewal plus a two-year CE cycle.

Cost: Annual ARRT renewal fee, plus any state renewal costs.

Who It's For: Every credential holder who wants to keep practicing.

What to Expect:

Complete 24 continuing education credits every two years.
Renew your ARRT registration each year and stay ethics-compliant.

Outcome: Your R.T.(R) stays active and in good standing.

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💡 Key Facts About Rad Tech Certification

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Things Most People Don't Know

Certification and licensure are two separate things. ARRT certification is national and proves competence; a state license is your legal permission to actually work — most states require both.

Things Most People Don't Know

The Procedures section is the largest, with 70 of the 200 scored questions. Strong positioning and anatomy knowledge does the most to move your overall score.

Things Most People Don't Know

You apply for the exam through your program, not on your own. Your school verifies you've met education and ethics standards before ARRT clears you to test.

Things Most People Don't Know

Keeping your R.T.(R) is ongoing work: 24 CE credits every two years, annual renewal, and ethics compliance. Miss these and the credential lapses.

Things Most People Don't Know

Post-primary certifications in CT, MRI, or mammography are voluntary. They require an active R.T.(R) plus clinical experience, and they typically lift pay above the $77,660 median.