How To Become a Radiation Therapist: Education Requirements

Radiation therapists play an important role in treating patients with cancer and other diseases. Because radiation can be dangerous to work with, these professionals need specialized training.

You may also need certification and a license. Keep reading to learn more about the job of a radiation therapist and the steps to take to become one.

What Is a Radiation Therapist?

Radiation therapists are medical professionals who administer radiation therapy to patients. Radiation therapy is the use of radiation to treat certain diseases.

Radiation therapy is most commonly used to treat cancer, but it can also be used for other diseases like thyroid diseases and some blood disorders.

The job duties of a radiation therapist often include:

• administering prescribed radiation to patients
• answering patient questions about radiation therapy
• calibrating and operating radiation therapy equipment
• following safety procedures to protect patients and themselves from improper radiation exposure
• maintaining and troubleshooting radiation therapy equipment
• monitoring patients as they receive radiation therapy
• updating patient records

Radiation therapists typically work as part of an oncology team, which also includes oncologists, nurses, medical dosimetrists, and medical physicists.

Hospitals are the most common employer of radiation therapists, but radiation therapists may also work in settings like physicians' offices or outpatient care centers.

Most of the time, radiation therapy procedures are planned in advance and scheduled with appointments, so radiation therapists are able to work fairly consistent schedules.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for radiation therapists will increase by about 2% by 2032.

Steps To Become a Radiation Therapist

To become a radiation therapist, you'll need to complete an educational program in radiation therapy and obtain a license from your state. We've broken down all the steps for you below.

Step 1: Complete a Radiation Therapy Education Program

Radiation therapy programs are most commonly available as two-year associate degree programs and four-year bachelor's degree programs.

While either of these is usually sufficient for licensure, some employers may require or prefer bachelor's degrees.

These programs cover topics like principles and practices of radiation therapy, treatment planning and delivery, and clinical oncology.

Some colleges and universities offer add-on certificates for students who have already earned a degree in radiology or a related field.

Bachelor's degree completion programs are also available for those with an associate degree in radiology or a related field.

You can find a list of accredited radiation therapy education programs through the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).

Step 2: Pursue Radiology Therapy Certification

Certification for radiation therapy isn't necessary for everyone, but some employers prefer it and some states require it for licensure.

Radiation therapists can earn certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

To qualify for this certification, you'll need to have completed an associate degree or higher in radiation therapy and meet the ethics requirements.

You'll also need to pass the radiation therapy certification exam. This is a computer-based exam with 200 scored questions. It covers the following content areas:

• patient care, which covers patient interactions and management and patient and medical record management
• safety, which covers radiation physics and radiobiology and radiation protection, equipment operation, and quality assurance
• procedures, which covers treatment sites and tumors, treatment volume localization, prescription and dose calculation, and treatments

Applicants have a total of 230 minutes to answer questions. Including things like the tutorial and survey, the entire test block is 250 minutes.

If you don't pass, you can retake your test. Those that don't pass after three attempts will need to requalify for certification.

If you pass, you'll become certified. You'll need to renew your certification each year. Part of your renewal process includes fulfilling a certain number of continuing education credits.

Every ten years, you'll need to fulfill continuing qualifications requirements, which helps identify gaps in knowledge and skills to keep your training up to date.

Step 3: Obtain a State License

In many states, you need to hold a license to practice radiation therapy. The specific requirements to obtain this license will depend on the state.

Typically, you'll need to have graduated from an accredited radiation therapy program. You may also need to pass an exam.

Some states have their own exams that they administer for radiation therapy licensure, while others accept certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Check with your state to see what specific requirements you'll need to meet. Links to each state's requirements are available on the ARRT website.

FAQs About Becoming a Radiation Therapist

Below, you'll find the answers to frequently asked questions about becoming a radiation therapist.

How Long Are Radiation Therapy Programs?

The length of a radiation therapy program will depend on what level of degree you're earning. Associate degrees usually take two years, while bachelor's degrees usually take four years.

Bachelor's degree completion programs can take one to two years to complete beyond the associate degree. Certificate programs take about a year to complete, but this can vary.

How Much Do Radiation Therapy Programs Cost?

According to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the average cost of an undergraduate degree at a four-year institution is $17,251.

Meanwhile, the average cost of an undergraduate degree at a two-year institution, like a community or technical college, is $3,859.

The amount you pay can change based on many factors, including which institution you choose, the state, and if you qualify for financial aid.

Can I Earn a Degree in Radiation Therapy Online?

While radiation therapy degrees can't be earned completely online, there are programs that will let you take the bulk of your radiation therapy classes online.

However, you'll likely still need to appear in person for labs and clinical experiences.

Become a Radiation Therapist

To become a radiation therapist, you'll need education in radiation therapy and may also need certification and a license.

With the steps above, you can be on your way to a career as a radiation therapist today!