Radiology Tech Exam FAQs

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the certifying body of the field and administers the registry examination to all radiology technology candidates. The ARRT also determines the content specifications for the certification examination, as well as the competency requirements for all candidates.

No, but it is a highly recommended credential because professional certification and registration demonstrates to employers and patients that your education, experience and competence in radiography is of the highest level. In fact, the overwhelming majority of employers will require certification by the ARRT in order to work and practice as a technologist in the field. State licensure is mandatory for all respiratory therapists practicing in the United States except Alaska.

The ARRT consists of mostly of multiple choice questions. Questions are displayed one at a time. You can flag questions that you are unsure about, so you can come back to them prior to submitting the exam. There may be some labeling and multiple-answer type questions on the exam.

The ARRT examination in radiography consists of 220 questions that are split up into different categories. You will be scored on 200 of the 220 questions. The remaining 20 questions are "pilot" questions that the ARRT utilizes to help develop questions for future exams. The 20 pilot questions do not count towards your score, and you will have no way of knowing which of the 220 total questions are pilot questions. 

The actual exam is timed, and you have 3-1/2 hours to finish the exam after you begin. 

No two versions of the ARRT examination are alike. Two people in the same testing center taking the exam will have two completely different sets of questions. You won't have any indication as to which version of the exam you received. This is to help prevent against testing fraud and protect the integrity of the exam.

All candidates register to test through the ARRT website. Candidates may test through Pearson VUE, the national testing vendor for the ARRT. Pearson VUE has test centers in every US state and territory.

A 75 is a passing score. There is no penalty for selecting incorrect answers.

The ARRT covers the following domains:

• Patient Care
  • Patient Interactions and Management
• Safety
  • Radiation Physics and Radiobiology
  • Radiation Protection
• Image Production
  • Image Acquisition and Technical Evaluation
  • Equipment Operation and Quality Assurance
• Procedures
  • Head, Spine and Pelvis Procedures
  • Thorax and Abdomen Procedures
  • Extremity Procedures

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the certifying body of the field and administers the registry examination to all candidates. The ARRT also determines the content specifications for the certification examination, as well as the competency requirements for all candidates.

The ARRT is offered on a daily basis, year-round at testing sites across the United States and US territories. Tests can be scheduled any day of the week, year round. Pearson VUE has test centers in every US state and territory.

Radiologic technology is a dynamic and ever-changing healthcare field. By combining direct patient care with advanced technology, radiologic technology provides a unique experience for anyone looking for a career that is fast-paced, challenging, rewarding, and enables you to have a profound impact on patients' lives. Certification by the ARRT is especially important, for a few key reasons. For one, certification demonstrates and proves that you are qualified to perform the job duties of a radiologic technologist. Secondly, certification demonstrates that you adhere to the standards of the profession as well as to the ARRT Code of Ethics. Third, the overwhelming majority of employers will require certification by the ARRT in order to work and practice as a technologist in the field.

A Radiologic Technology degree requires the completion of a minimum two-year structured educational program that contains both didactic and clinical components. Over the course of their didactic education, candidates will learn about procedures, anatomy, techniques, physics, and theories that are applicable to patient care and equipment operation in radiography. Candidates then apply this didactic information during their clinical education by demonstrating competency in performing radiographic procedures and patient care activities on patients in the clinical setting.

All radiologic technology certification candidates must possess a minimum of an Associate's degree. Additionally, graduation from a program that has been accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is highly valued. JRCERT-accreditation ensures that the educational program meets their set of rigorous standards and ensures that students have received acceptable training. Information regarding JRCERT accreditation standards and a list of accredited programs by state can be found at www.jrcert.org. Once didactic and clinical education is complete, certification is the final step of the process before one can officially practice as a radiologic technologist.

All candidates register to test through the ARRT wbsite. Candidates may test through Pearson VUE, the national testing vendor for the ARRT. Pearson VUE has test centers in every US state and territory.

Candidates who do not pass the exam on your first or second try can reapply to take the ARRT exam.  If you don't pass on your third try, you have to requalify to apply to take the exam again. You have three years and three attempts to pass the exam.

At the end of the examination, you will receive your preliminary results indicating whether you passed the exam. A 75 is a passing score. You'll also have 10 minutes at this time to complete a post-exam survey about the testing facility. The ARRT will verify your exam results and mail you your certificate and exam summary within two to three weeks.

ARRT requires that you perform continuing education to maintain your credential. There are two aspects to this: biennial continuing education and decennial Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR). Once you pass the registry, the ARRT will mail you a packet in the mail with your certificate and information about your CE biennium. While you renew your ARRT license each year, you must report biennially to the ARRT proof of completion of 24 category A or A+ continuing education units (CEUs). These can be obtained via membership to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) or another source that provides directed readings and quizzes. Every 10 years in addition to your biennial CEUs to maintain your certification. Once you have been certified for seven years, the ARRT will reach out to you with information about beginning the CQR process, which you then have three years to complete.

Practice tests, such as Tests.com's Radiology Tech Practice Exam, are a good way to study as it goes over the material you need to know while giving you a chance to practice your test taking skills. Additionally, study guides, text books, class notes, flashcards and videos are important study tools.  It is best to use a wide range of test prep to get the most comprehensive coverage of the subject matter.

Tests.com has worked with instructors in radiologic technology to create an Radiology Tech Practice Test to help you prepare for the ARRT. Tests.com's TestSim online interactive platform allows you to tailor tests to the subjects you want to study and to form tests to fit your study schedule. You can even simulate the actual ARRT exam by setting the number of questions and timer to the time period allowed for the actual test. Get experience reading multiple-choice questions and taking timed tests. Tests.com will help you pass your ARRT on your way to a successful career as a radiological technologist. Click here for a free Radiology Tech Practice Exam.