Fastest Way to Become an MRI Tech in 2025

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technologists are healthcare professionals who specialize in operating MRI scanners to create diagnostic images. Students interested in pursuing this career have plenty of opportunities to look forward to. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), MRI technologists earn good salaries and can expect faster-than-average job growth.

Starting this career requires MRI training, which can be attained at schools of higher education nationwide. Are you interested in a quick start to this career? Below, we'll discuss the fastest way to enter the field of MRI technology. We'll also highlight the top accelerated MRI tech programs.

What Does an MRI Tech Do?

MRI technologists take MRI scans and create detailed images of bodily structures, tissues, and organs to help doctors diagnose and monitor medical conditions. However, their responsibilities don't stop there. Additional duties include:

• injecting patients with dye or another contrast media to help images show on the scanner
• ensuring patients are positioned correctly for procedures and gauging their needs during imaging
• understanding MRI safety practices for patients, equipment, and magnetic fields
• collaborating with radiologists and other healthcare team members to ensure the best images are produced
• reviewing patient histories and documenting information related to MRI procedures
• educating patients on the MRI process

MRI technologists work in diagnostic imaging facilities, doctor's offices, hospitals, and outpatient centers alongside radiographers (who perform X-rays), radiologists, and other healthcare professionals. While day shifts are common in these roles, techs can also work nights, weekends, or on-call.

If you're interested in this career, you should be detail-oriented and have strong interpersonal, technical, and communication skills. You'll also need to acquire the right educational background and clinical training. Keep reading as we discuss the fastest way to become an MRI tech and share other quick routes to a career in this field.

Fastest Pathways To Becoming an MRI Tech

Becoming an MRI tech starts with obtaining the appropriate education, clinical experience, and licensure or certification. Do you want to know how to become an MRI tech quickly? Review the MRI program options below.

1. Certificate Programs

Completing a certificate program is generally the fastest route to becoming an MRI tech. These programs, found at community colleges, technical schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities, are designed to help non-registered MRI technologists and registered technologists with the following backgrounds secure certification in the field:

• radiation therapists: R.(T)T
• radiography or radiology techs: R.T(R)
• sonography techs: R.T(S)
• nuclear medicine techs: R.T(N), CNMT, NMTCB

Students enrolled in certificate programs take didactic and clinical courses. Didactic courses, which follow a traditional lecture format, teach concepts like MRI safety, pathophysiology, and cross-sectional anatomy. Clinical courses require an internship or externship at a healthcare facility where students can gain hands-on experience.

Completing these certificate programs usually takes six months to one year. Once all program requirements are met, students qualify to sit for the American Registry Of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or the American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) MRI certification exam.

2. Associate Degree in MRI Technology

While certificate programs help professionals with imaging experience quickly become certified, associate degree programs provide coursework and training for students new to the medical imaging field. Starting from scratch often means taking more courses and spending more time in clinical training. Here's what you can expect in an MRI technology associate program:

• MRI tech classes that explore topics like human anatomy and physiology, imaging science, medical terminology, MRI screening and safety, image formation, and sectional anatomy
• clinical hours accumulated through internships or externships at clinical sites in partnership with academic institutions
• preparations to sit for the ARRT or ARMRIT certification exam

Associate degree programs, which often take two years to complete, help students qualify for job opportunities in MRI technology at imaging centers, private physician practices, clinics, and hospitals. Students demonstrating financial need in these MRI education programs might be eligible for financial aid.

3. On-the-Job Training & Certification

Some hospitals and medical centers offer on-the-job training that helps students earn a full or partial MRI tech salary while pursuing certification. In these MRI training programs, students set up, use, and maintain MRI machines under the supervision of an MRI specialist. Applicants could be required to meet some of the following work and educational requirements:

• secure a high school diploma or GED
• enroll and participate in a certificate program from an accredited school of radiologic technology
• have MRI clinical rotation experience (not always required)

MRI trainee roles can help students meet clinical requirements; however, they typically don't result in MRI tech certification. Individuals who aren't enrolled in a certificate or degree program can consider alternatives.

Students with a credential in a supporting discipline who are interested in ARRT certification can choose the postprimary pathway. This option requires 16 hours of structured education and no fewer than 125 repetitions of MRI procedures in clinical experience.

ARMRIT's equivalency clause lets applicants take the ARMRIT MRI Technologist Examination after completing four years (or 6,240 hours) of documented full-time MRI clinical experience.

Key Factors to Speed Up the Process

Are you looking for the fastest way to become an MRI tech? Here are some of the best options for speeding up the process:

• 1. Enroll in an accredited program: If you're new to imaging, enrolling in an accredited associate or bachelor's degree program can qualify you for a career in a few years. With imaging experience, you could start an accredited certificate program and finish in less than a year.
• 2. Take online or hybrid courses for flexibility: Some MRI tech programs offer a flexible mix of online and in-person classes. You can also find programs with self-study online courses that can be completed while participating in clinical experiences.
• 3. Choose a school with fast-track options or shorter clinical training requirements: Many institutions aim to accommodate busy students by offering shorter pathways to completion, including multiple program start dates, accelerated or self-paced courses, and internship/externships lasting as few as three months.
• 4. Enroll full-time: Most programs offer the opportunity to enroll in courses part-time or full-time. Full-time enrollment helps students complete their programs, earn MRI certification, and begin working much faster than part-time enrollment.

How Long Does It Take to Become an MRI Tech?

The time needed to become an MRI tech varies by program type. Review the MRI program options below to discover how long it could take to start this career.

• 1. Certificate Programs: MRI tech certificate programs are designed for students with an educational background and experience in the field. Students can complete these programs in a year or less.
• 2. Associate Degree Programs: Students new to the MRI tech field are encouraged to enroll in a two-year associate degree program that teaches fundamental and advanced courses and helps learners meet all clinical experience requirements.
• 3. On-the-Job Training: The time needed to start an MRI tech career through on-the-job training varies. ARMRIT certification requires four years of clinical experience. ARRT requires 16 hours of structured learning but no specified timeframe for clinical experiences.
• 4. Bachelor's Degree in MRI Technology: Bachelor's programs in MRI technology provide about four years of training in magnet and radio waves, patient care, MRI safety, and more. Clinical experiences and a capstone are typically included.

Accelerated MRI Tech Programs

Students ready to start their careers quickly can choose from various accelerated MRI tech programs. Explore the schools below for great options:

• University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences: The MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) certificate program helps trained radiology, radiation, and nuclear medicine professionals prepare for the ARRT MRI exam in as few as six months.
• Smith Chason College: The academic Associate of Science in magnetic resonance imaging is a 21-month degree with hybrid courses, multiple start dates, and offsite MRI clinics. This program, accredited by ARMRIT, has no prerequisites.
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: The Bachelor of Science in magnetic resonance imaging - accelerated track is a 32-month program providing online and in-person courses and clinical internship opportunities at Boston area medical facilities.

FAQs About Becoming an MRI Tech Quickly

Do you want to begin the process of becoming an MRI tech? Before getting started, learn more about MRI technician programs and careers in the field.

Are MRI Techs in Demand?

Yes, MRI technologists are in demand. BLS data reveals that the employment of radiologic and MRI technologists is projected to grow 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for all occupations. As workers transfer to different occupations and exit the labor force, the need for these professionals will continue to grow.

Is Becoming an MRI Tech Hard?

Whether enrolled in a certificate or degree program or pursuing an MRI tech role through on-the-job training, you should be prepared to put in the necessary time and effort. Completing coursework and clinicals can be challenging, but these experiences will prepare you for full-time work in this field.

Can I Become an MRI Tech Without a Degree?

Yes, you can become an MRI tech without completing an associate or bachelor's degree program. While most states don't require MRI techs to be licensed or certified, employers typically hire technologists with certification. The ARRT and the ARMRIT offer pathways for applicants to secure credentials and start this career without earning a degree.

Become an MRI Tech

Begin your journey toward a fulfilling MRI technology career by exploring the degree programs on Learn.org. Contact a school today to discover how they can help you achieve your career goals.