ARRT® Renewal: Everything You Need To Know To Renew Your ARRT® License

ARRT® Renewal: Everything You Need To Know To Renew Your ARRT® License
Is your ARRT® renewal date approaching Not sure how to complete your ARRT® license renewal? Wondering about the ARRT® renewal fee or how to submit CE credits to ARRT®? We’ve got you. This easy-to-understand guide will walk you through the ARRT® license renewal process and answer your most commonly asked questions.
- ARRT® biennial CE requirements for R.T.s®
- How to get CE credits for ARRT ® license renewal
- How do I submit my CE credits to the ARRT ® organization
- How do I renew my ARRT ® license?
- What happens if I fail to complete the CE requirements during my biennium period?
ARRT ® License Renewal, In Brief
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT®) requires all registered R.T.s to fulfill a variety of important requirements periodically to remain compliant with ARRT® Rules and Regulations and ARRT® Standards of Ethics. And it’s no surprise. With ever-advancing medical imaging technology and ever-changing job responsibilities, it is critical for radiologic technologists to continue to grow their knowledge and skills in order to deliver the best possible care to the patients they serve.
- Complete an application for your ARRT ® certification and registration renewal each year
- Report your completed CE credits every two years as part of the ARRT® renewal process
- Registered Radiologist Assistants (R.R.A® certified) must also meet Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR) every 10 years
Let’s get started.
What are the different ways to get CE credits for ARRT® license renewal?
- CE credits can be Category A or A+. Activities approved by an RCEEM+ are awarded Category A+ credit
- CE credit activities should relate to radiologic sciences and/or patient care. They don’t need to be limited to radiology or mammography
You can earn CE credits by completing an activity evaluated by an ARRT®-recognized RCEEM or RCEEM+, or by taking approved academic courses during your renewal biennium
When it comes to maintaining your ARRT® license, choosing the right CE activities is essential.
- Online courses (most popular)
- Self-study readings
- Seminar lectures
- Classroom learning
Out of these, taking online courses approved by an ARRT® RCEEM is often the easiest, most convenient, and cost-effective way to submit CE credits to ARRT® and complete your license renewal on time.
- Easy to access
Online learning is now the norm for working professionals. With just a smartphone and internet connection, you can access quality CE courses anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re working toward your biennium requirements or preparing for your ARRT® renewal, online options offer flexibility and convenience. - Affordable
Online CE courses typically cost much less than seminars or in-person classes. This makes it easier to fulfill your requirements without worrying about a high ARRT® renewal fee or other added costs. For example, if you only need 4 CE credits, you can purchase exactly what you need online and receive your certificate instantly. Services like Medical Professionals’ unlimited CE credits for ARRT ® renewal even allow you to get endless credits for one low fee, making your ARRT® license renewal even more affordable. - Interactive learning
Today’s online radiology CE courses go beyond passive reading. Some, like those offered by Medical Professionals, include interactive learning formats to make CE credit completion more engaging, while remaining compliant with ARRT® certification and license renewal guidelines.
What are the ARRT® continuing education (CE) requirements for R.T.s®?
As a registered R.T.®, you are required to complete and report 24 approved CE credits every two years as part of your ARRT® license renewal process. If you hold an R.R.A.® certification, you must complete 50 CE credits every two years.
If you’re certified in Sonography through the ARRT®, at least 16 of your biennial CE credits must be sonography-specific. These count toward the 24-credit requirement for ARRT® renewal.
All CE activities must be documented and submitted as part of your license renewal application during a two-year cycle known as a biennium.
What’s a biennium, and when is mine?
An R.T.’s® biennium is tied to their date of birth. It’s a two-year period that ends one month before your birth month.
Example of a biennium reporting period:
Let’s say you were born in April and earned your ARRT® credential in February 2021. Your biennium would run from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2023.
- CE credits must be completed within your biennium
- CE credits cannot be carried over to another biennium
- Although ARRT® certification and registration is renewed annually, submitting CE credits to ARRT® is only required every two years
Not sure about your biennium? Use the ARRT® website’s “Verify Credentials” tool to check yours or someone else’s (with their first and last name)
Revised Version with SEO Enhancements
More ways to complete your ARRT® CE requirements
- Application training at your facility may count as a CE activity. However, only 8 Category A CE credits from this method can be applied toward your biennial requirements. (See ARRT® guidelines for facility-based applications training.)
- Advanced CPR certifications like ACLS or PALS (from the American Heart Association or American Safety and Health Institute) may be used, but only up to 6 CE credits per biennium
- State-approved CE activities may qualify if the licensing agency is recognized by the ARRT®. As of September 2020, approved states include Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Oregon
Important changes (Effective January 1, 2018): R.T.s® can no longer apply newly earned credentials toward satisfying their biennial CE requirements.
How do I submit my CE credits to the ARRT® organization for renewal and report that I have completed my CE requirements?
Submitting your CE credits to the ARRT® for license renewal is simple and straightforward. When you complete an approved online CE course and pass the associated test, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. This certificate serves as proof of your CE activity and contains the information you’ll need when it’s time to report your CE credits to the ARRT®.
To submit your CE credits to ARRT®:
- Log in to your ARRT® account at www.arrt.org
- Go to the My Dashboard section, where you’ll find details about your CE biennium and deadlines
- Use the dropdown menus to enter the required CE information from your certificate of completion
- Submit the credits, done! That’s how easy it is to submit CE credits to ARRT® as part of your license renewal process
Okay, I’ve submitted my CE credits. Now, how do I renew my ARRT® license?
- Simply login to your account on www.arrt.org, go to your dashboard, and click RENEW
- Your CE landing page should show the credits you have previously uploaded. If any of your credits do not appear on the form, simply list them manually
When can I renew my ARRT® license?
Your ARRT® renewal period opens two months before your birth month. For example, if your birthday is in April, you can renew starting February 1. The final deadline is the last day of your birth month.
Be careful! Avoid last-minute submissions! The ARRT® website undergoes routine maintenance on Fridays from 2:00–4:00 a.m. (CT), and the organization clearly states that technical issues will not extend your ARRT® renewal deadline.
ARRT ® Renewal Fee(s)
Wondering about the ARRT® license renewal cost? In addition to the cost of completing your CE activities, the ARRT® charges a renewal fee that varies based on the number of credentials you hold.
Here’s the simplified version of ARRT ® license renewal costs.
- $30 per year (if you used the ARRT ® primary pathway)
- $45 per year (without a supporting discipline)
- $30 or $45 per year (depending on the above scenario)
These fees are part of the standard ARRT® renewal process and must be paid annually when you renew your ARRT® license.
Okay, I’ve renewed my ARRT® license. When do I receive new credentials?
You won’t, at least not physically. As of December 31, 2020, the ARRT® no longer issues credential cards. If you need to verify your certification and registration status, use the Verify Credentials feature on the ARRT® website.
What happens if I don’t complete my CE requirements in time?
If you renew your ARRT® certification but fail to submit your CE credits, you’ll be placed on CE Probation Status. You’ll still receive a credential card, but it will show that you’re on probation.
Here’s what happens next:
- You’ll have up to 6 months to complete the missing CE requirements
- You’ll need to submit a Probation Report Form along with a $50 fee
- If you still haven’t completed your CE requirements after the probation period, your ARRT® license and registration will be canceled
To reinstate your ARRT® certification, you’ll need to follow the official reinstatement procedures outlined in the ARRT® Rules and Regulations.
Wrapping Up Our Article on ARRT ® License Renewal!
Continuing education is an essential part of every RT’s professional career. Not only does it enable you to renew and maintain your ARRT® license, but it also ensures that you can provide the highest quality care to the patients you serve every day.
We hope this guide answered your most important questions about the ARRT® renewal process, including CE requirements and renewal fees. As highlighted above, the simplest and most convenient way to stay compliant is by completing online RCEEM-approved CE courses, which can be directly applied toward your ARRT® license renewal.
At Medical Professionals, we’re proud to support R.T.s® like you with affordable, accessible online CE options, such as our Unlimited CE Package, to make your ARRT ®renewal simple and stress-free.
Keep learning. Keep serving. And keep making us proud!