In this Article
Professional insights: Peter Rath
One of the most widely recognized professional certifications a radiology technologist can earn is the Registered Technologist (R.T.) credential. This certification demonstrates your expertise in safely and effectively creating medical images using X-ray technology.
You can also earn certifications beyond radiography, depending on your education, interests and career goals. Becoming certified in additional areas, such as vascular sonography or radiation therapy, may expand your career options.
Key takeaways
- Most state require radiology technologists to obtain a state-issued license before they can start working. To qualify for licensure, many states accept credentials offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
- The ARRT offers several different credentials to choose from depending on your experience and radiology specialization, if applicable.
- Certifications can improve your job prospects, professional reputation and earning potential. You can also choose to obtain more than one certification.
Overview
Once you start looking into certification for radiology technologists, you’ll likely come across the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). It’s the main certifying body for the profession.
It’s most helpful to start with the foundational certification in radiography, says Peter Rath, MPA, R.T. (R), ARRT, who evaluates continuing education programs at the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. “Certification is the primary credential radiologic technologists need to work in most hospitals and imaging centers.”
Most states require radiology technologists—also known as radiologic technologists and radiographers—to be certified. No matter where you live, though, having an industry-recognized credential can make you eligible for more jobs because employers generally require job candidates to be certified as well.
…having an industry-recognized credential can make you eligible for more jobs because employers generally require job candidates to be certified as well.
Certification may also increase your earning potential. What’s more, once you earn basic certification in radiography, you can add other specialties to your repertoire, which can further your professional options.
Note that national certifying agencies require applicants to have at least an associate degree for most certifications, which provides education about all types of radiologic imaging procedures. If you earn a diploma or certificate in radiography, it will most likely cover only one type of imaging procedure, such as X-rays.
Many states offer limited-scope certification for radiology technologists with a certificate or diploma, so check on requirements in the state where you’ll work. Some states require applicants to pass a limited-scope certification exam before they can earn their license.
Certificate vs Certification
- Certificate
- A certificate is awarded by an educational institution, and signifies that a student has satisfactorily completed a given curriculum. Certificate programs can help students prepare for certification exams.
- Certification
- A certification is generally awarded by a trade group after an individual has met certain professional requirements (e.g. earned a specific degree, worked professionally in a given field for a set amount of time, etc.) and passed a certification exam.
In short, a certificate is evidence that someone has completed an educational program, while a certification denotes that someone has met a certain set of professional criteria and/or passed an exam.
Not all programs offered are designed to meet state educator licensing or advancement requirements; however, it may assist candidates in gaining these approvals in their state of residence depending on those requirements. Contact the state board of education in the applicable state(s) for requirements.
Certifications
The ARRT offers three credentials for radiology technologists ranging from entry-level to more experienced.
- Imaging Assistant (I.A.):
- The ARRT’s newest credential is designed to support Registered Technologists (R.T.s) in the magnetic resonance (MR) environment and requires a high school diploma or GED.
- Radiologic Technologist (R.T.):
- Their most widely used credential is offered in several different disciplines and requires at least an associate degree.
- Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A.):
- This is the ARRT’s advanced practice credential option that requires applicants to have the R.T. credential in Radiography (R) and a master’s degree.
Their Imaging Assistant, Magnetic Resonance, I.A.(MR) credential isn’t actually available quite yet—as of early 2026, the ARRT has stated that they are developing an online documentation tool which will guide candidates through the requirements for earning the I.A. credential. This tool will not be available until summer 2026.
R.T. credential overview
Their Registered Technologist (R.T.) credential currently offers 12 different discipline options which demonstrate expertise in a particular radiographic specialty:
- Bone Densitometry (BD):
- Imaging used to measure bone loss and mineral content, mainly in the spine and hips
- Breast Sonography (BS):
- Imaging used to diagnose breast abnormalities, sometimes following an MRI
- Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI):
- Work with sophisticated fluoroscopic equipment to take images of the heart and the surrounding blood vessels to help physicians diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel diseases
- Computed Tomography (CT):
- Imaging that provides pictures from different angles to diagnose diseases and monitor changes
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR):
- Use MRI machines to image anatomic and/or physiologic conditions of the body
- Mammography (M):
- X-ray of the breast used to look for early signs of breast cancer
- Nuclear Medicine Technology (N):
- Treatment in which radioactive drugs are administered to capture images during diagnosis or treatment of tumors and other conditions
- Radiation Therapy (T):
- Treatment used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors
- Radiography (R):
- This is perhaps the most general credential for RTs who don’t specialize in one of the other areas, as this is meant for those who capture images of internal organs, soft tissues and bones using X-ray equipment
- Sonography (S):
- Imaging used to monitor fetal development during pregnancy and to evaluate bone and abdominal diseases and other conditions
- Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI):
- Imaging of the blood vessels used to guide physicians during procedures such as inserting a stent
- Vascular Sonography (VS):
- Use ultrasound machines to produce images of patients’ veins and arteries using high-frequency sound waves
Note: The ARRT no longer issues new credentials for Quality Management and Cardiovascular Interventional Radiography. People who already hold these credentials can maintain them indefinitely as long as they continue to meet ARRT’s ethical and other requirements.
R.T. credential requirements
“Although all pathways share the same ethics and examination requirements, they have different education requirements,” the ARRT website states.
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), Nuclear Medicine Technology (N), Radiation Therapy (T), Radiography (R), Sonography (S), and Vascular Sonography (VS) disciplines are earned through what the ARRT calls the primary eligibility pathway. To qualify for these disciplines you must:
You can earn the rest of the R.T. credentials through their postprimary pathway if you’re currently certified and registered with ARRT and would like to pursue an additional credential:
Maintaining ARRT certifications
To maintain your certification, radiology technologists must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years. There are several options to earn continuing education credits, including talking classes online or in person, and attending lectures and meetings sponsored by professional groups.
Additional certification options
Two other organizations offer certifications for radiology technologists: the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).
Most of these certifications are specialty credentials that you can earn as your career progresses.
Certifications offered by ARDMS
Certifications offered by NMTCB
In-demand radiology technician certifications
According to the ASRT’s 2025 staffing and workplace survey, the vacancy rates for all medical imaging disciplines are at or near all-time highs despite some minor improvement since 2023. This means that just about all medical imaging specialties are currently in high demand. That said, some specialties are in higher demand than others.
“The highest vacancy rate for any discipline in the current survey was computed tomography, which reached an all-time high of 19.4%, an increase from 17.7% in 2023,” the report states. In addition to computed tomography, these other disciplines had some of the highest overall vacancy rates:
Most states in the U.S. require radiology technologists to be certified. Which certifications they require varies from state to state. Radiography, nuclear medicine technology and radiation therapy are among the certifications commonly required to become licensed, according to the ARRT.
How do you pick a certification?
As you begin your career in radiography, it’s smart to look ahead to plan for certification. Consider where you intend to work, and then look at state licensure requirements. This information can guide you to choose a certification to pursue.
Some certifications are complementary, and some build on others. For example, certification in Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI) pairs well with Vascular Interventional Radiography (VI).
The ARRT also requires radiographers to hold ARRT credentials in an approved supporting discipline for some of their specialties. For instance, you need the Radiography (R) credential before applying for the Mammography (M) certification.
Do certifications help advance your career?
“A lot of employers are looking for not only radiographers but radiographers credentialed in other modalities too,” Rath said. Multiple certifications can help you stand out in a pool of job applicants or possibly lead to promotions.
When you “layer” certifications, you can apply for jobs that require just one credential—or jobs that require multiple credentials. You immediately expand the reach of your career.
Some schools and radiography programs allow students to prepare for certification exams in addition to radiography. If you are interested in this approach, look for schools that offer training in multiple imaging procedures.
You can also gain practice in other areas of medical imaging by “cross-training” at work, Rath said. Find a mentor in another department—such as sonography or nuclear medicine—to learn on the job. The experience will help prepare you to take the credentialing exam.
“No matter where you are in your career,” Rath said, “you can always continue your education, pursue training, and earn additional certifications. It can only help your career path.”