How to Become a Radiology Technician in 3 Steps

<p><table border="0"> <tr><td><img src="/cimages/multimages/2/adobestock_511037882.jpeg" alt="radiology tech assisting a patient in an observation room" /></td></tr> </table> </p> <p><a href="https://learn.org/articles/Radiology_Technician_Career_Summary_Occupational_Outlook_and_Educational_Requirements.html">Radiology technicians</a> are responsible for the diagnostic testing that doctors use to diagnose and treat patients. They may specialize in one type of radiology or work in general radiology. </p> <p>Below, we'll explain what a radiologist does, the type of education you need, and how to get certified and licensed to work. </p> <h2 id="section---WhatIsARadiologyTechnician">What is a Radiology Technician?</h2> <p>Radiology is a medical field that uses special equipment to take images of the inside of the body. These images are then used to diagnose and treat patients. </p> <p>Radiology technicians are the medical professionals who run the imaging equipment and perform the imaging procedures. </p> <p><b>These procedures may include:</b> </p> <ul><li>computed tomography (CT scans) </li><li>fluoroscopy </li><li>magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) </li><li>positron emission tomography (PET scan) </li><li>sonography </li><li>ultrasound </li><li>X-ray </li></ul><p>Sometimes, radiology techs will specialize in one type of equipment or procedure. They may also specialize in obtaining a certain type of information from these scans, like bone density. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoRadiologyTechniciansDo">What Do Radiology Technicians Do?</h3> <p>Radiology technicians have several responsibilities. <b>These may include:</b> </p> <ul><li>preparing and calibrating the machinery </li><li>explaining procedures to patients </li><li>positioning patients for their imaging tests </li><li>performing the imaging tests </li><li>assisting patients during the procedures </li><li>ensuring health and safety protocols are followed during procedures </li><li>making sure patients are comfortable during procedures </li><li>adjusting equipment to get the best-quality images </li><li>administering radiation to patients undergoing radiation therapy </li><li>documenting medical data in patient medical charts </li><li>working with other members of the patient's medical team </li><li>sterilizing and sanitizing equipment and imaging spaces between patients </li></ul><p>It's important to note that radiology technicians are not medical doctors and are not allowed to officially diagnose patients. </p> <h3 id="section---WhereDoRadiologyTechniciansWork">Where Do Radiology Technicians Work?</h3> <p>Radiologists can work in a variety of medical places. Often, they'll work in the radiology department of a hospital. <b>Other places radiology technicians may work include:</b> </p> <ul><li>academic institutions </li><li>clinics </li><li>medical laboratories </li><li>outpatient imaging centers and facilities </li><li>physical therapy centers </li><li>physicians' offices </li><li>trauma and triage centers </li><li>urgent care centers </li></ul><p>Becoming a radiology technician involves receiving the proper training and earning certification. We'll break down each step below. </p> <h2 id="section---Step1AttendAnAccreditedRadiologyProgram">Step 1: Attend an Accredited Radiology Program</h2> <p>The first step in becoming a radiology technician is to attend an <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Online_Radiology_Technician_Degrees_and_Certification_Program_FAQs.html">accredited radiology program</a>. These are often available as certificate, associate, or bachelor's level programs. </p> <p>Most employers require at least a two-year associate degree for entry-level radiology technician jobs. </p> <p>If you're wanting to move into a supervisory role or want to have an edge on your resume, you can earn a bachelor's degree. These are usually four-year programs. </p> <p>Whatever program you choose should be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). </p> <p>If a program is JRCERT-accredited, that means that it has met education and quality standards. If your program isn't accredited, you may not be eligible for certification or licensure. </p> <p>You can find a full list of JRCERT-accredited programs at jrcert.org. You can search by state, type of program, and type of degree or certificate available. </p> <h2 id="section---Step2ObtainRadiologyTechnicianCertification">Step 2: Obtain Radiology Technician Certification</h2> <p>To work as a radiology technician, you will need certification. This certification is required by nearly every state and employer. </p> <p>Certification is offered through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). They offer multiple radiology certifications. </p> <p>ARRT uses a two-tier system for certification. The first tier is more general certification, like radiography, while the second is for specializations, like bone densitometry. </p> <p>You must earn the first, or primary, certification before you are eligible for a postprimary certification. Postprimary certification is not necessary for all radiology fields. </p> <p><b>Primary options for certification are:</b> </p> <ul><li>magnetic resonance imaging </li><li>nuclear medicine technology </li><li>radiation therapy </li><li>radiography </li><li>sonography </li><li>vascular sonography </li></ul><p>Most radiology technicians start with a radiography certification. <b>To qualify for this certification, you must:</b> </p> <ul><li>have an associate degree or higher </li><li>complete an ARRT-approved radiography educational program (may be part of your degree program) </li><li>fulfill the ARRT ethics requirements </li><li>pass the radiography exam </li></ul><p>The exam is made up of 200 scored questions. <b>These questions cover the following categories:</b> </p> <ul><li>patient interactions and management </li><li>radiation physics and radiobiology </li><li>radiation protection </li><li>image acquisition and evaluation </li><li>equipment operation and quality assurance </li><li>head, spine, and pelvis procedures </li><li>thorax and abdomen procedures </li><li>extremity procedures </li></ul><p>You're given 230 minutes to answer the questions on the exam. Most, but not all questions, are multiple-choice. </p> <h2 id="section---Step3EarnARadiologyTechnicianLicense">Step 3: Earn a Radiology Technician License</h2> <p>Licensing requirements for radiology technicians are set at the state level. Many states have some requirements in place for radiology technicians, but not all do. </p> <p>For several states, radiology technicians just need to be ARRT-certified. In those states, passing the ARRT exam is all you need. </p> <p>In other states, you're required to earn a state license. These license exams may be administered through ARRT or another state-approved entity. </p> <p>If you take a state-sanctioned ARRT exam, you will still need to take the official ARRT exam to earn the ARRT certification. </p> <p>Check with the state you plan to work in to determine what requirements you need to fulfill before you can practice as a radiology technician. </p> <h2 id="section---BecomeARadiologyTechnician">Become a Radiology Technician</h2> <p>To <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Career_Planning_FAQs.html">start your career</a> as a radiology technician, you'll need to attend an accredited radiology program, pass the ARRT certification exam, and possibly take additional steps to secure state licensure.</p>