How To Get ARRT® Certification and Registration: Your Complete Guide
How To Get ARRT Certification and Registration: Your Complete Guide
Wondering what ARRT® certification is, how it works, or what it costs? You’re in the right place. This guide explains the ARRT® registration process, CE requirements, renewal steps, and how much certification may cost — whether you’re applying for the first time or maintaining an existing license. We’ll also show you how to earn your CE credits affordably and online.
Let’s get you started!
- What Is ARRT® Certification and Registration?
- Benefits of ARRT® certification for radiologic technologists
- ARRT® credential options explained
- How to get ARRT® certification and registration: Step-by-Step
- Requirements for all eligibility pathways
- How to apply for ARRT® certification – process overview
- Wrapping Up!
What Is ARRT® Certification and Registration?
ARRT® certification and registration is a professional credential issued by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists® — a national organization that recognizes qualified medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in the United States.
When you meet ARRT®’s education, ethics, and examination requirements, you can earn certification in one or more radiologic disciplines. ARRT® registration confirms that you’ve met ongoing standards for continuing education (CE) and professionalism. We’ll walk you through the ARRT® registration process, costs, and requirements step by step in this guide.
Benefits of ARRT® Certification for Radiologic Technologists
Getting ARRT® certified and registered can significantly boost your career in medical imaging. Here’s how:
Stand Out to Employers
Earning your ARRT® certification proves you meet nationally recognized standards of practice. Many hospitals, imaging centers, and state licensing boards require ARRT® credentials for employment. Even where it’s not mandatory, being ARRT®-certified gives you a competitive edge.
Build Trust and Career Credibility
With over 360,000 certified professionals nationwide, the ARRT® credential represents a strong commitment to quality care and patient safety. It’s an investment in your career and your professional reputation.
ARRT® Credential Options Explained
The ARRT® offers certifications in 15 medical imaging disciplines, through three eligibility pathways: Primary, Postprimary, and Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A.®). While the ethics and exam requirements are standard across pathways, the education requirements differ.
Below is a breakdown of the credential types and disciplines:
- Radiography (R)
- Radiation Therapy (T)
- Nuclear Medicine Technology (N)
- Sonography (S)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)*
- Vascular Sonography*
- Bone Densitometry (BD)
- Breast Sonography (BS)
- Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI)
- Mammography (M)
- Vascular Sonography (VS)*
- Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI)
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)*
- Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A.®)
- MR and VS credentials may be earned through either the primary or postprimary pathway, depending on your background.
- Cardiovascular Interventional Radiography (CV)
- Quality Management (QM)
Although ARRT® no longer offers new certifications in these areas, current credential holders may maintain them indefinitely — provided they meet ARRT®’s continuing education and ethics standards.
*Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) and Vascular Sonography credentials can be obtained through both primary and postprimary pathways.
**Credentials for Quality Management and Cardiovascular Interventional Radiography are no longer issued. Individuals who already hold either of these credentials can maintain it for life, provided they meet the ARRT ® ethical standards and other requirements.
Keep your ARRT® credentials up to date
Stay Certified & Advance your Career
How to Get ARRT® Certification and Registration
Wondering how to get ARRT® certified? It starts with selecting the discipline you want to pursue and confirming which eligibility pathway applies to you.
- Choose your discipline (e.g., Radiography, MRI, CT)
- Determine your eligibility pathway:
- Primary (most first-time applicants)
- Postprimary (for additional certifications)
- R.R.A.® (for advanced practice roles)
- Meet ARRT®’s 3 core requirements:
- Education: completion of an approved program
- Ethics: demonstration of professional conduct
- Examination: passing the ARRT® certification exam
We’ll cover the specific requirements for each pathway in the next section.
Requirements for All ARRT® Eligibility Pathways
No matter which ARRT® pathway you choose — Primary, Postprimary, or Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A.®) — you’ll need to meet three core requirements:
- Education
- Ethics
- Examination
These ensure that all ARRT®-certified technologists meet consistent standards of training and professionalism.
Primary Eligibility Pathway Requirements
(Most common route for first-time applicants)
- Education requirement
- You must complete an associate degree or higher from an ARRT®-recognized institution.
- You must also graduate from an ARRT®-approved educational program in the discipline you’re applying for (e.g., Radiography, MRI, CT).
⏱ Note: Once you complete your program, you have 3 years to establish eligibility and apply for certification. This is known as the Three-Year Rule.
- Ethics requirement
You must comply with the ARRT® Standards of Ethics, which includes demonstrating good moral character and professional conduct. Any past legal or disciplinary issues must be disclosed and reviewed by ARRT®.
- Examination requirement
After meeting the education and ethics criteria, you must pass the ARRT® certification exam in your chosen discipline. This can only be done after you have completed education and ethics requirements.
Postprimary Eligibility Pathway Requirements
(For adding additional ARRT® credentials)
- Education & Clinical Requirements
- Hold an active credential in a supporting category (from ARRT®, ARDMS®, or NMTCB®)
- Complete 16 hours of structured education specific to your new discipline
- Fulfill clinical experience requirement
- Ethics requirement
Same as the primary pathway — you must meet ARRT®’s ethical standards.
- Exam Requirement
You must pass the ARRT® exam for your postprimary discipline (e.g., Mammography, CT, Vascular Interventional Radiography).
R.R.A.® (Registered Radiologist Assistant) Pathway Requirements
(Advanced-level certification)
- Education Requirements
- Hold a bachelor’s degree
- Be currently certified and registered in Radiography (R)
- Complete at least 1 year of clinical experience
- Graduate from an ARRT®-recognized Radiologist Assistant educational program
- Ethics & Examination
You must:
- Meet all ARRT® ethics standards, and
- Pass the ARRT® R.R.A.® certification exam
How to Apply for ARRT® Certification and Registration
The ARRT® application process varies slightly depending on your pathway — Primary, Postprimary, or R.R.A.® — but the overall steps are similar.
🔹 General Application Steps
- Complete all education, ethics, and clinical (if applicable) requirements
- Submit your application to ARRT®
- Wait for ARRT® to verify your eligibility
- Once approved, schedule your exam within 365 days
Primary Pathway Application
You can submit your ARRT® application up to 3 months before completing your educational program.
After graduating, you have 3 years (per the Three-Year Rule) to apply and complete your exam.
🔗 View full Primary Pathway details on ARRT.org →
Postprimary Pathway Application
If applying for a second credential (e.g., CT, MR, Mammography), log into your ARRT® account and access the postprimary application form. Your supporting credentials (ARRT®, NMTCB®, or ARDMS®) must be active.
R.R.A.® Pathway Application
R.R.A.® applicants follow the postprimary application process but must also submit documentation from their approved Radiologist Assistant program.
How Long Does It Take to Get ARRT® Certified?
The timeline for getting ARRT® certified and registered depends on how you apply and how quickly you schedule your exam.
Application Processing Time
- Online Application: You’ll typically receive a status update in your ARRT® account within 2 business days.
- Paper Application: Allow at least 30 days for ARRT® to process your paperwork.
📌 If your application requires an ethics review or ADA accommodations, processing may take longer — regardless of the method.
Exam Scheduling & Results Timeline
Once approved, you’ll have 365 days to schedule and take your ARRT® certification exam.
After the exam:
- Your official score will be mailed within 30 days
- You can often view your ARRT® certification and registration status within 2–3 weeks using the ARRT® Verify Credentials tool
ARRT® Certification Cost – full breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of current ARRT® application fees:
| Application | ARRT ® certification cost |
| Primary: (R, N, T, MR, S) | $225 |
| Postprimary: (M, CT, MR, BD, CI, VI, S, VS, BS, R.R.A.) | $225 |
| Postprimary: CT, MR, BD, S*, or VS — using NMTCB ® as supporting category) | $450 |
| Postprimary: (MR, S, VS, or BS — using ARDMS ® as supporting category) | $450 |
| Reinstate certification and registration by re-examination | $225 |
| Online reinstatement (for those who don’t have to re-examine) | $75 |
| 📌 These fees are current as of 2025 and subject to change. Always confirm with ARRT.org. | |
What if you fail the ARRT® exam 3 times?
ARRT® allows up to 3 exam attempts within a 3-year period. This window starts the day your first exam eligibility opens.
If you fail all three attempts:
- You are no longer eligible to pursue certification under that application.
- You must meet the requirements again and reapply from the beginning.
Maintaining your ARRT® certification and registration
Once you’ve earned your ARRT® certification, it’s important to keep it active and in good standing through annual renewals and continuing education (CE).
Annual Renewal Requirement
Every year, you must renew your ARRT® registration by submitting a renewal application and paying the required fee. This confirms that you’re still active in the profession and complying with ARRT® ethics standards.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirement
Every two years, all certified technologists must complete and report 24 ARRT®-approved CE credits.
These credits help ensure that you’re staying up to date with industry standards, technologies, and patient care practices. Failing to meet CE requirements can result in a lapse of your ARRT® certification.
Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR)
If you’re certified on or after January 1, 2011, you’ll also be subject to CQR every 10 years. This process helps evaluate your strengths and identify areas for ongoing professional development.
Earn Ultrasound CME Credits Online
Affordable • ARDMS®-Accepted • ASRT®-Approved
Wrapping Up: Start Your ARRT® Certification Journey with Confidence
If you’re pursuing a career in radiologic technology, earning your ARRT® certification and registration is a crucial step. It demonstrates your expertise, builds trust with employers, and opens doors to long-term success in medical imaging.
In this guide, we’ve explained:
- What ARRT® certification is
- How to register and apply
- The cost, timeline, and exam process
- How to maintain your certification through CE credits
At Medical Professionals, we support thousands of R.T.®s by offering trusted, ASRT®-approved continuing education courses — fully accepted for ARRT® certification renewal.
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