If you’re considering a career in radiologic technology, you may have questions about certification and how it fits into the process. Do you need it? Is it hard to get? And how long does it take to get an ARRT certification? We’ll break down everything you need to know, including how the process works and how long it takes.
What Is ARRT Certification?
ARRT certification is a credential from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The organization issues certifications in primary and postprimary pathways. Most people start by earning a primary certification in one of these areas:
- Radiography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Radiation Therapy
- Sonography
- Vascular Sonography
By earning a certification, radiologic technologists can show they’ve met the ARRT’s standards for knowledge and ethics in the field.
Why Get an ARRT Certification?
ARRT certification is a widely recognized credential for radiologic technologists and medical imaging professionals. Currently, over 360,000 people hold ARRT certifications.
In some states, radiologic technologists must pass an ARRT certifying exam to become licensed. In Texas, for example, the state’s Medical Board requires applicants for a Medical Radiologic Technologist certificate to hold a certification from ARRT or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.
Even in states without these requirements, employers may prefer to hire radiologic technologists with ARRT certification. It shows employers that an applicant has completed relevant education, met ethical standards, and passed a certifying exam.
How Long Does It Take to Get ARRT Certified?
If you’re brand new to the field, getting an ARRT certification usually starts with completing a radiologic sciences program. Many programs take about 2 years and lead to an associate degree.
That said, some programs may offer a quicker timeline to certification. At American Career College in Dallas-Fort Worth, the Radiography program can be completed in as few as 20 months.
Once you graduate from an approved program, you can apply to take an ARRT certifying exam. Students in ACC’s program may be eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam in Radiography.
The full timeline to getting certified can vary based on when you apply to take the exam and when you receive your results. After the ARRT processes your application, you have 365 days to schedule and take the certifying exam. You should get your official results about 10 days after your exam.
What Are the ARRT Certification Requirements?
To earn a primary certification from ARRT, you’ll need to meet requirements in three areas: education, ethics, and examination.
Education
The education requirement for earning an ARRT certification has two parts. You must have an associate degree or higher and have completed an approved program in the same field as the credential you want to earn.
For example, if you plan to get an ARRT certification in Radiography, you must have finished a radiography program. This program needs to include both coursework and clinical training. Once you complete a program, you can apply for ARRT certification anytime in the next 3 years.
An ARRT-aligned program can help you build a foundation in radiologic sciences and medical imaging. Depending on the program, you can expect to take courses like these:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medical terminology
- Radiographic physics
- Patient care
- Medical imaging
- Radiation biology
- Pharmacology
Your program will also include clinical hours to help you gain experience in real-world settings. ACC’s Radiography program in Dallas-Fort Worth includes over 1,000 hours of clinical experience, which students can complete at area hospitals, clinics, and imaging centers.
Ethics
The ARRT has an ethics requirement for certification and registration. It aligns with the organization’s Standards of Ethics, which outlines ethical guidelines and professional conduct for those working in the field.
When you apply for ARRT certification, you’ll need to answer some ethics questions, which include:
- Have you ever been charged with or convicted of a crime?
- Have you ever been suspended or expelled from an ARRT certification program?
- Have you ever been placed on probation by a certification board?
- Have you ever had a professional license revoked or suspended?
By meeting this requirement, you can show that you’ve demonstrated good moral character and understand how to maintain professional standards for ethical conduct.
Examination
The last step in the certification process is passing the ARRT exam. This exam evaluates your skills and knowledge to determine whether you can perform entry-level medical imaging tasks.
The exam length and duration depend on the credential you’re pursuing. For example, radiologic technologists in Texas and California may take the ARRT’s Radiography exam. This exam includes 230 total questions, including 200 scored items, with a time limit of 4 hours and 10 minutes. The ARRT provides a handbook you can reference to learn more about what to expect on exam day.
After the exam, you’ll receive your results to learn if you passed. You can take an ARRT certification exam up to 3 times within 3 years.
How to Maintain ARRT Certification
Getting an ARRT certification is the first step. Once you’ve become certified, you will need to maintain your credential to keep it active.
The ARRT requires registrants to renew their credentials online every year. Beyond that, you will also need to complete continuing education every 2 years.
After becoming ARRT certified and working in the field, you may also decide to pursue additional credentials or education. Some people choose to earn a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) to help advance in their career. A BSRS program can help radiologic technologists broaden their education and work toward a postprimary certification through the ARRT.
For example, ACC’s online BSRS program can help current radiologic technologists prepare for postprimary certification exams in these areas:
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- MRI
- Mammography
- Interventional Radiography
Start the Path to ARRT Certification at American Career College
It takes time, planning, and effort to earn an ARRT certification, but it can be worth it if you want to pursue a career in radiologic technology. By completing the organization’s requirements and passing an exam, you can become certified and take the next step toward a future career in the field.
If you’re ready to begin training, American Career College offers a Radiography program designed to help you prepare for the ARRT certification exam. The program blends online coursework with in-person training and hands-on clinical experience. We offer the program at our three campuses in Southern California and at our Dallas-Fort Worth campus.
Are you ready to start working toward a career in radiologic technology? Reach out today to request more information!
