Certifications for Radiology Technologists

The first certification a radiology technologist can earn is Registered Radiologic Technologist R.T. (R). This demonstrates your expertise in safely and effectively creating medical images using X-ray technology.

You can also earn certifications beyond radiography, depending on your education, interests, and career goals. Becoming certified in additional areas, such as vascular sonography or radiation therapy, can expand your career options.

Overview

Once you start looking into certification for radiology technologists, you’ll likely come across the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). It’s the main certifying body for the profession.

It’s most helpful to start with the foundational certification in radiography, says Peter Rath, MPA, R.T. (R), ARRT, who evaluates continuing education programs at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. “Certification is the primary credential radiologic technologists need to work in most hospitals and imaging centers.”

Most states require radiology technologists—also known as radiologic technologists, radiographers, and X-ray technicians—to be certified. No matter where you live, though, having an industry-recognized credential can make you eligible for more jobs because employers generally require job candidates to be certified as well.

Certification may also increase your earning potential. What’s more, once you earn basic certification in radiography, you can add other specialties to your repertoire, which can further your professional options.

Note that national certifying agencies require applicants to have at least an associate degree, which provides education about all types of radiologic imaging procedures. If you earn a diploma or certificate in radiography, it will be for only one type of imaging procedure, such as X-rays.

Many states offer limited-scope certification for radiology technologists with a certificate or diploma, so check on requirements in the state where you’ll work. Some states require applicants to pass a limited-scope certification exam before they can earn their license.

Certifications

The ARRT divides the certifications it awards into two groups: primary and post-primary. As you might expect, primary certifications are designed for radiology technologists early in their career. Post-primary certifications are more advanced and require more on-the-job experience.

It can feel overwhelming when looking into the different certifications for radiology technologists. Here, we break down some of the options.

ARRT Primary Credentials

The ARRT offers the following primary credentials:

You can earn two credentials using either the primary or post-primary pathway:

ARRT Primary Credential Details

ARRT Post-primary Credentials

The ARRT offers the following post-primary credentials:

Requirements for ARRT Post-primary Credentials

Maintaining Certification

To maintain certification, radiology technologists must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years. There are several options to earn continuing education credits, including talking classes online or in person, and attending lectures and meetings sponsored by professional groups.

Additional Certification Options

Two other organizations offer certifications for radiology technologists: the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).

Most of these certifications are specialty credentials that you can earn as your career progresses.

Certifications that Are in Demand

While any certification is likely to advance your career, some specialties are more in demand than others. Training and becoming certified in these areas can make you an especially competitive job applicant:

Most states in the U.S. require radiology technologists to be certified. Which certifications they require varies from state to state. Radiography, nuclear medicine technology, and radiation therapy are among the certifications commonly required to become licensed, according to the ARRT.

How Do You Pick a Certification?

As you begin your career in radiography, it’s smart to look ahead to plan for certification. Consider where you intend to work, and then look at state licensure requirements. This information can guide you to choose a certification to pursue.

Some certifications are complementary, and some build on others. For example, certification in Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI) pairs well with Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI).

The ARRT also requires radiographers to have a primary credential in a post-primary credential they want to pursue. For instance, you’ll need the Sonography (S) credential before applying for Breast Sonography (BS) certification.

Do Certifications Help Advance Your Career?

“A lot of employers are looking for not only radiographers but radiographers credentialed in other modalities too,” Rath says. Multiple certifications can help you stand out in a pool of job applicants or possibly lead to promotions.

When you “layer” certifications, you can apply for jobs that require just one credential—or jobs that require multiple credentials. You immediately expand the reach of your career.

Some schools and radiography programs allow students to prepare for certification exams in addition to radiography. If you are interested in this approach, look for schools that offer training in multiple imaging procedures.

You can also gain practice in other areas of medical imaging by “cross-training” at work, Rath says. Find a mentor in another department—such as sonography or nuclear medicine—to learn on the job. The experience will help prepare you to take the credentialing exam.

“No matter where you are in your career,” Rath says, “you can always continue your education, pursue training, and earn additional certifications. It can only help your career path.”