Getting X-ray certified typically requires completing an accredited radiography program, passing a national exam, and obtaining a state license. The full process takes about two years for an associate’s degree, though shorter paths exist if you only need to perform X-rays on specific body parts. Here’s what each route looks like and how to choose between them.
Full Certification vs. Limited Scope
There are two distinct paths to working with X-ray equipment, and the right one depends on your career goals.
Full ARRT certification is the standard credential for radiologic technologists. It qualifies you to perform diagnostic X-rays on any part of the body and opens the door to advanced imaging specialties like CT, MRI, and mammography. This is the path most people take and the one most employers prefer.
Limited scope certification (sometimes called “limited X-ray machine operator”) restricts you to imaging specific anatomical areas, such as the chest, extremities, or spine. These programs are shorter and less expensive, making them appealing for medical assistants, chiropractic offices, or urgent care clinics that need someone to take basic X-rays. Many states require you to complete a training program and pass a state exam before operating in this role. The American Society of Radiologic Technologists notes that limited scope operators are encouraged to eventually pursue full registration as a radiographer.
Education Requirements for Full Certification
The majority of people earn their first credential through the ARRT’s primary pathway, which starts with completing an educational program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). These programs are offered at community colleges, universities, and hospitals across the country.
An associate’s degree in radiography is the most common option and runs about two years of full-time study. Bachelor’s programs take four years but may give you an edge for supervisory roles or graduate school. Both follow a curriculum developed by the ASRT that covers radiation physics, anatomy, patient positioning, image evaluation, and radiation safety.
Clinical rotations make up a major portion of the training. You’ll work in hospitals or imaging centers under supervision, practicing on real patients. Programs cap clinical days at 10 hours and must provide equitable scheduling if evening or weekend shifts are part of the rotation. There’s no national minimum for total clinical hours, but programs must demonstrate that students get enough hands-on experience to meet competency standards before graduating.
The ARRT Certification Exam
After finishing your accredited program, you need to pass the ARRT radiography exam. The application costs $225. Before you can sit for the exam, ARRT reviews three things: your education (confirmed by your program), your ethics history, and your exam readiness.
The ethics review is worth knowing about early. If you have any misdemeanor or felony charges or convictions on your record, you can submit an ethics review preapplication before you even start school. ARRT’s Ethics Committee will review your documentation and let you know whether you’re eligible, or if a waiting period applies. This can save you years of time and tuition if there’s a potential issue.
The exam itself is computer-based and covers the content areas outlined in ARRT’s discipline-specific content specifications. These include patient care, radiation safety and protection, image production, procedures for specific body systems, and equipment operation. The number of questions and time allowed vary by discipline. You’ll receive your results shortly after completing the test.
State Licensing
Passing the ARRT exam doesn’t automatically mean you can start working. Most states require their own form of permission to practice, and the terminology varies. States like New York, California, Texas, Ohio, and Massachusetts each have their own requirements. Some call it a license, others call it certification, a permit, or registration.
States that require a license include Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. States like Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington use the term “certification” at the state level. Iowa issues permits, and Mississippi uses “registration.”
Check your state’s radiation control or health department website for the specific application, fees, and any additional exams required. Some states accept ARRT certification as meeting their requirements; others have supplemental steps.
How Long the Process Takes
For the full certification path, expect roughly two to three years from start to finish. That breaks down to about two years in an associate’s program, a few months for your ARRT application and exam, and whatever time your state licensing process adds (usually a few weeks to a couple of months).
Limited scope training is significantly shorter. Depending on the state and the anatomical areas you’re training for, programs can range from a few weeks to several months. Some states allow on-the-job training paired with a state exam, while others require a formal course.
Keeping Your Certification Active
ARRT certification isn’t a one-time event. You need to complete 24 approved continuing education credits every two years, regardless of how many ARRT credentials you hold. These credits can come from conferences, online courses, college classes, or other approved activities. Failing to meet this requirement puts your credential at risk.
ARRT also has a longer-term requirement called Continuing Qualifications Requirements, which checks that your knowledge stays current over a 10-year cycle. This involves completing a structured self-assessment and targeted learning in your discipline.
Advancing Into Specialty Imaging
Once you hold your initial ARRT certification in radiography, you can pursue additional credentials through the postprimary pathway. This lets you add specialties like CT, MRI, mammography, or interventional radiography to your qualifications. Each specialty requires structured education in that modality, documented clinical experience, and passing another ARRT exam.
For those aiming even higher, the Registered Radiologist Assistant credential requires a master’s degree on top of your initial radiography certification. This advanced practice role involves working more closely with radiologists and taking on responsibilities beyond standard imaging.
The postprimary pathway is also open to professionals certified by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, giving those technologists a way to cross into radiography-related specialties.