Last Updated: October 03, 2022
What is ARRT Certification?
The ARRT Certification or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist certification is taken by candidates who wish to develop their careers within the field of medical imaging and radiation therapy. The certification has around 350,000 registrants since the ARRT offers certification and registration in different radiologic disciplines. Having this certification will prove that the candidate fulfills the necessary credentials for being a radiation therapist with national standards. With this certification, candidates will be eligible to legally practice medical imaging and intervention procedures as stated by the specific certification one takes.
Candidates who have this certification will be recognized by employers, state licensing authorities, and federal regulators as this act as a verification of professional standards. Over 330,000 technologists hold the ARRT credential as of now and though not all states require professionals to be licensed by the state, this needn’t be limited to ARRT.
Who Can Apply for ARRT Certification?
There are 15 credentials that one can earn through ARRT and each credential has different eligibility requirements that one ought to meet. The initial requirements for each of these credentials are similar and are based on education, ethics, and examination. The primary eligibility pathway requirements allow candidates to take certain credentials only. Candidates who surpass the primary eligibility requirements and meet the post-primary eligibility pathway will be able to take up other credentials. These candidates will have to hold a credential from ARDMS or NMTCB.
Primary Eligibility Pathway
Candidates who wish to take the ARRT certification will initially have to apply for a primary pathway before they qualify for the post-primary pathway. This credential will have to be renewed irrespective of whether they eventually take the post-primary credential or not. The primary requirements that one ought to meet are in the areas of education, ethics, and examination. The general requirements that one ought to meet for these credentials are as follows-
- Have an Associate’s Degree or Higher
- Complete ARRT-approved Educational Program in the same credential
- Comply with the ARRT Standards of Ethics
- Complete Credential Examination
Credentials Available in Primary Pathway
Candidates who meet the primary eligibility requirements will be able to take up the following credentials-
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiography
- Sonography
- Vascular Sonography
Post-Primary Eligibility Pathway
The post-primary pathway is an advanced test requiring more qualification requirements than the primary pathway. Candidates who wish to take this will require a primary pathway credential which has to be maintained and they will have to meet additional requirements. The post-primary requirements that one ought to meet are also divided into the 3 areas of education, ethics, and examination. These are-
- Be ARRT certified and registered in the supporting category. This can be an ARDMS or NMTCB certification.
- Meet 16 hours of structured education requirement which reflect on examination content specifications and includes one credit from each document’s major content categories.
- Meet the Clinical Experience requirement, as specified for the credential.
Credentials Available in Post-Primary Pathway
Candidates who hold a credential from the ARDMS or the NMTCB and also meet the post-primary eligibility requirements will be able to take the following additional credentials.
- Bone Densitometry
- Breast Sonography
- Cardiac Interventional Radiography
- Computed Tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Mammography
- Vascular Interventional Radiography
- Vascular Sonography
Cost of ARRT Certification
The cost of taking an ARRT credential is dependent on whether the candidate is applying for a primary pathway or a post-primary pathway. Candidates will also have to pay an additional fee for reinstating their certification and other miscellaneous costs. The fee structure is as follows-
| Purpose | Fee Amount |
| Primary (R, N, T, MR, S) | $225 |
| Post-Primary (M, CT, MR, BD, CI, VI, VS, BS, R.R.A.) | $225 |
| Post-Primary (CT, MR, BD, VS) using NMTCB as supporting category | $450 |
| Post-Primary (MR, VS, BS) using ARDMS as supporting category | $450 |
| Reinstate Certification | $225 |
| Registration by Re-Examination | $225 |
| Online Reinstatement without Re-Examination | $75 |
| Annual Renewal Fee | $30 |
Duration to Take ARRT Certification
The exam duration for each credential is different. Hence, candidates will have to go through the handbooks for each designated credential to know more details about the exams provided.
Credential Options and Exam Format
The credentials that one can take through ARRT are as follows and their details are as follows-
Bone Densitometry/BD
| Scored Items | 75 |
| Pilot Items | 30 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours 5 minutes |
Breast Sonography/BS
| Scored Items | 185 |
| Pilot Items | 40 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours, 5 minutes |
Cardiac Interventional Radiography/CI
| Scored Items | 145 |
| Pilot Items | 25 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 3 hours 30 minutes |
Computed Tomography/CT
| Scored Items | 165 |
| Pilot Items | 30 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours, 40 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours |
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/MRI
| Scored Items | 200 |
| Pilot Items | 20 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours, 30 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 3 hours, 50 minutes |
Mammography/M
| Scored Items | 115 |
| Pilot Items | 25 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 2 hours, 30 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 2 hours, 50 minutes |
Nuclear Medicine Technology/N
| Scored Items | 200 |
| Pilot Items | 30 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours, 50 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours, 10 minutes |
Radiation Therapy/T
| Scored Items | 200 |
| Pilot Items | 30 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours, 50 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours, 10 minutes |
Radiography/R
| Scored Items | 200 |
| Pilot Items | 30 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours, 50 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours, 10 minutes |
Registered Radiologist Assistant/RRA
| Scored Items | 200 |
| Pilot Items | 20 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours per session |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 6 hours, 50 minutes |
Sonography/S
| Scored Items | 360 |
| Pilot Items | 40 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 6 hours, 30 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 7 hours, 20 minutes |
Vascular Interventional Radiography/VI
| Scored Items | 160 |
| Pilot Items | 50 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours, 30 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 3 hours, 50 minutes |
Vascular Sonography/VS
| Scored Items | 175 |
| Pilot Items | 40 |
| Tutorial Time | 8 minutes |
| NDA Time | 2 minutes |
| Test Time | 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Survey Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 4 hours 5 minutes |
Process to Obtain ARRT Certification
The application process that one has to meet is different for the primary pathway, post-primary pathway, and the R.R.A credential. These processes are as follows-
Application Process for Primary Pathway
Before candidates apply for an ARRT credential with the primary pathway, they have to review the primary handbook and meet the ethics requirements for the same. They will also be able to report potential violations that can take place. They will also have to complete an ARRT-approved educational program.
- Create ARRT Account/Fill Paper Application- Candidates will be able to enquire to their Program Director for either procuring a paper application or getting details for the online account creation. Candidates who are using a paper application will have to let the program director fill in their part of the application.
- Request ADA accommodations, if required- Candidates who require ADA accommodations during the examination will have to state the same in the application before submitting it.
- Complete the Application and Sign it- Upon completing the application, candidates are required to sign it. Those who are applying online will have to provide a digital signature.
- Submit Application- They will now be able to submit the application. It is advised that candidates verify the information provided before final submission.
- Await the Candidate Status Report- Upon application submission, candidates will have to wait until the ARRT verifies the status of the ARRT-approved program from the program director. After this, candidates will receive a Candidate Status Report which includes information for scheduling the test.
- Schedule Exam- Candidates will not be able to schedule their examination through a Pearson VUE test center. They will have to take the examination within 365 days.
Application Process for Post-Primary Pathway
The initial requirements for applying through the post-primary pathway include getting the verifier and supervisor to sign off on all requirements. ARRT also has to accept the structured education requirements of the candidate. Candidates will only be able to apply for one ARRT credential at a time. Those who are taking a state exam administered by the ARRT and an ARRT exam will have to choose which they need to take first and apply accordingly.
- Verify Certification and Registration- Candidates are required to verify their credentials and cross-check whether they have a credential in a proper supporting discipline.
- Login to Existing ARRT Account- Candidates will be able to apply for the credential by logging into the account they have previously created for the primary pathway credential.
- Sign the Agreement of Candidates- Now, they will have to sign the agreement for candidates which includes the rules and regulations one will have to follow. They will also require valid and acceptable ID proof for this step.
- Confirm Personal Details- Since candidates will already be registered due to the previous credential they have taken; they will only have to confirm the name and address that the system finds for them. They will have to verify whether the information is still correct.
- Report ethics violations, if applicable- Candidates who have made ethics violations in the past or have the potential for making ethics violations will have to report the same by carefully going through the ethics requirements.
- Pay Fee and Submit Application- Now, candidates will be able to pay the processing fee and submit the application online.
- Await the Candidate Status Report- Now, they will have to wait for the ARRT Candidate Status Report which will be sent to the candidate after verifying their credentials.
- Schedule the Exam- Upon receiving the Candidate Status Report they will be able to schedule the examination. Since appointments fill up early candidates need to schedule the exam as soon as possible.
Preparing for the ARRT Examination
The ARRT examinations are conducted online and candidates will be provided with a tutorial at the beginning of the examination along with practice questions. How one can prepare for the examination will depend on the kind of credential one is taking since the exam length, pattern, and format will change with each credential. A few of the general strategies one can use for prep include-
- Understand the Format of the Examination- Candidates will have to take extra care in understanding the exam format and other exam details before preparing for the same.
- Review Exam Content- There are no specific exam study materials for the credentials provided but each credential has its content outline provided by the ARRT. Candidates will be able to use this outline to prepare for the examination.
Validity and Renewal of ARRT Certification
Candidates who have the ARRT credential will have to renew the same every year. To renew the certification and registration, they will have to be up-to-date with their biennial Continuing Education Requirements with has to be submitted every two years, and their Continuing Qualification Requirements. The renewals have to be done when the Continuing Education credits are current or within 6 months after the expiry without which they will be put on a CE probation of six months.
Candidates who wish to renew their post-primary pathway credential will also have to maintain their primary pathway credential. Candidates are required to renew the credential before the last day of their birth month unless they got certified within 2 months of their birth month. In the latter case, they will have until their birth month in the next year. The annual renewal fee for ARRT is $30 for the first discipline and an additional $15 each for other disciplines.
Reinstating the ARRT Certification
Candidates whose certification and licensing have expired or been discontinued will be able to reinstate their credentials either by retaking the examination or by submitting an online application.
Reinstating Credential Online
Candidates who wish to reinstate their application online will have to meet the necessary eligibility conditions which they can confirm by visiting their dashboard on their ARRT account. The criteria that one ought to meet are-
- The annual renewal deadline has been missed and the candidate is still in their CE biennium.
- The annual renewal deadline has been missed, the CE biennium end date expired less than six months ago, and the required CE activities have been completed.
- The annual renewal deadline has been missed, the CE biennium end date expired less than six months ago, and the required CE activities have NOT been completed. In this case, one will be placed on CE probation.
If they meet the requirements, they will be able to report their Continuing Education credits before the end of their 11th year. Now, they will have to wait for a confirmation email which will be sent only after the verification of CE credits has been completed. After receiving the email, they will be prompted to pay a reinstating fee of $75. Paying this will reinstate the license.
Reinstating Credential by Retaking Exam
Candidates who have not completed or reported their required CE activities in the probation period and those whose credentials were suspended or revoked due to a sanction will have to retake the examination. For this, they will have to go through the same procedures they have to go through the first time they applied for the credential except that they will not be required to create an ARRT account. They will be able to use their existing one.
State Licensing
Some states in the country require candidates to get a state license to work as radiologic technologists. It is different from the ARRT certification and candidates are required to learn about the specific eligibility and application criteria for the particular state before applying for the same. Every state will require candidates to apply individually to the state since there is no centralized system for the same. In such states, having an ARRT license can either be an added credential or a necessity to take the state license.
ARRT Administered State Licensing Examinations
A few of the state licensing examinations are conducted by the ARRT. These are-
- Radiography
- Nuclear Medicine Technology
- Radiation Therapy
- Certain state-approved post-primary disciplines
- Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography
- Bone Densitometry Equipment Operator
- Fluoroscopy
Steps to Apply for State Licensing
The steps to apply for state licensing is dependent on the requirements that one ought to fulfill and the system that the state follows. Most states require candidates to have an ARRT credential and license as an eligibility requirement. The general procedure for most states is-
- Apply to State- Candidates will have to apply to the state by providing their credentials and other qualifications before they schedule an exam appointment.
- Wait for Response from State- After verifying the credentials that have been submitted by the candidate, the State will either confirm or deny their request for taking the licensing examination.
- Pay Exam Fee- If their credentials have been successfully verified, they will be prompted to pay the fee for the examination. Candidates will receive confirmation from the state for the same.
- Collect Candidate Status Report from ARRT- Now, ARRT will send the candidate their Candidate Status Report which will include all the information they require for scheduling their examination.
- Schedule Exam - Now, candidates will be provided with a 90-day window to schedule and complete their examination. Those who wish to get exam window extensions will have to apply directly to the state.
State Licensing Exam Results
The exam results for state licensing examinations that are conducted by ARRT will be scored and sent to the state by the ARRT. These scores are reviewed by the state through state licensing authorities who will determine whether the candidate has passed or failed. The way the results are published varies according to state. While some states email the results to the candidates, others require candidates to check their official sites frequently for news regarding the same.
Retaking State Licensing Examination
The retaking criteria for state licensing examinations are different for different states. While some states allow candidates to retake a few many times, others may require candidates to provide proof of additional coursework done before reapplying for the examination.
