Radiation therapists typically need at least an associate’s degree to enter the field, though many employers prefer a bachelor’s degree. Beyond the degree itself, you’ll need to graduate from an accredited program, pass a national certification exam, and meet your state’s licensing requirements before you can practice.
Minimum Degree Requirements
An associate’s degree in radiation therapy is the standard minimum for entry-level positions. Bachelor’s degree programs are also widely available and increasingly preferred by employers, particularly at larger medical centers and academic hospitals. A smaller number of candidates enter through certificate programs, though these are less common and may limit your job options.
Most programs accept students with backgrounds in healthcare, science, or biology. If you already hold a degree in radiography (X-ray technology), some schools offer bridge programs that build on your existing credentials and let you specialize in radiation therapy without starting from scratch.
Prerequisite Courses
Before you can enter a radiation therapy program, you’ll need to complete foundational coursework in the sciences. A typical program requires around 53 semester hours of prerequisites, including:
- Anatomy and Physiology I and II (with labs)
- General Physics (with lab, algebra or calculus based)
- General Chemistry, General Biology, or a second Physics course
- College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus
Pre-calculus is highly recommended even when it isn’t strictly required, since radiation therapy involves precise calculations related to dose delivery and treatment planning. If your science background is thin, expect to spend a year or more completing prerequisites at a community college before applying to a program.
Why Program Accreditation Matters
Not all radiation therapy programs will qualify you for certification. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is the only accrediting body recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for radiation therapy programs. Graduating from a JRCERT-accredited program is a prerequisite for sitting for the national certification exam, so attending an unaccredited school could leave you unable to get credentialed or licensed.
Before enrolling anywhere, verify the program’s JRCERT accreditation status directly on their website. This applies to both traditional in-person programs and distance-learning options.
Clinical Training During Your Program
Radiation therapy programs include substantial hands-on clinical rotations alongside classroom instruction. Students rotate through clinical facilities in blocks of four to five weeks at a time, working under the supervision of licensed therapists. During these rotations, you’ll learn to operate linear accelerators, position patients for treatment, and verify treatment plans.
Clinical hours typically run from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., five days a week. In summer months, once didactic coursework wraps up, students shift to full-time clinical schedules. You’ll need to maintain a minimum clinical grade of 3.0 and complete all required clinical competencies before graduating. These competencies are set by the national certifying body and cover the specific procedures you must demonstrate proficiency in before you’re eligible to take the certification exam.
National Certification
After graduating, the next step is earning certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The primary eligibility pathway requires three things: an associate’s degree or higher, completion of an ARRT-approved educational program in radiation therapy, and meeting the organization’s ethics standards (essentially demonstrating good moral character, with a background review process).
Once eligible, you sit for the ARRT certification exam, which tests your knowledge of treatment planning, radiation safety, patient care, and the physics behind radiation delivery. Passing this exam earns you the credential R.T.(T), which is the industry-standard qualification employers look for.
State Licensing Requirements
Earning ARRT certification does not automatically mean you can practice in any state. More than 75% of states have their own licensing laws covering radiologic technology, and you’ll need to meet each state’s specific requirements before working there. Some states accept ARRT certification as sufficient proof of competency, while others require additional paperwork, fees, or examinations.
If you’re planning to move or work near a state border, check licensing requirements for every state where you might practice. Requirements can vary significantly, and practicing without a valid state license where one is required is illegal.
Keeping Your Credentials Current
Certification isn’t a one-time achievement. To maintain your ARRT registration, you need to complete 24 credits of approved continuing education every two years. These credits can come from conferences, online courses, workshops, or in-service training at your workplace. The requirement ensures therapists stay current with evolving treatment technologies, updated safety protocols, and new cancer treatment approaches.
Advancing Into Dosimetry or Leadership
Many radiation therapists eventually move into medical dosimetry, where they design the detailed treatment plans that therapists carry out. The pathway depends on your existing education. If you’re a radiation therapist without a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to complete one in a health or science field and then finish a master’s degree or post-graduate certificate in medical dosimetry. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can go directly into a dosimetry program at the bachelor’s, master’s, or certificate level.
One important change: on-the-job training in dosimetry, which was historically a common route for experienced radiation therapists, is no longer an accepted pathway. The national certification board now requires candidates to hold at least a bachelor’s degree and complete an accredited dosimetry program lasting at least 12 months.
Total Timeline
From start to finish, expect the path to take two to four years depending on your starting point. An associate’s degree program runs about two years if you’ve already completed prerequisites. A bachelor’s program takes four years, or two to three if you’re entering a bridge program with an existing radiography degree. Add a few months after graduation for exam preparation and the licensing process, and most people are working in the field within three to five years of starting their education.