Radiology Technician Certifications (Which Ones Are Worth It)
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Radiologic technology is a licensed, patient-facing healthcare field, so the credential question is less about padding a resume and more about what legally and practically lets you work. The field is dominated by one certifying body, the ARRT, with a handful of post-primary credentials that open the door to specialized imaging modalities, plus a state license layer that varies by where you live.
This guide ranks the radiology technician certifications that hospitals and imaging centers actually recognize, explains who each one is for, and flags where a state license is the credential that legally matters. Build your plan around the ARRT Radiography certification first, then add the post-primary modality credentials that match the specialty you want to grow into.
Top certifications for a Radiology Technician
Radiography (R) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Entry
Best for: Every radiologic technologist entering the field, since it is the foundational credential employers require.
The ARRT Radiography credential is the industry standard, and most state licenses are issued on the basis of holding it.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
American Heart Association (AHA) · Entry
Best for: Every radiology technician, since hospitals and imaging centers commonly require a current BLS card to be hired.
BLS is a frequent hard requirement for patient-facing imaging roles and is quick to earn and easy to keep current.
Computed Tomography (CT) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Intermediate
Best for: Registered technologists who want to specialize in CT imaging, one of the most in-demand modalities.
This post-primary ARRT credential qualifies you for CT roles that typically pay more than general radiography.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Intermediate
Best for: Technologists moving into MRI, a high-demand specialty with strong long-term outlook.
The ARRT MRI credential is the recognized path into MRI roles and supports higher earning potential.
Mammography (M) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Intermediate
Best for: Radiographers specializing in breast imaging at hospitals and dedicated imaging centers.
Mammography is federally regulated under MQSA, so this ARRT credential is the recognized qualification for the work.
Cardiac-Interventional Radiography (CI) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Advanced
Best for: Technologists working in cath labs and interventional cardiac procedures.
This post-primary ARRT credential validates the specialized skills needed for interventional cardiac imaging suites.
Vascular-Interventional Radiography (VI) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Advanced
Best for: Technologists in interventional radiology suites performing vascular procedures.
The ARRT VI credential qualifies you for interventional radiology roles that command higher pay.
Bone Densitometry (BD) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Intermediate
Best for: Radiographers adding DEXA bone density scanning to their scope.
This post-primary ARRT credential is the recognized qualification for bone densitometry work in clinics and hospitals.
Nuclear Medicine Technology (N) Certification and Registration
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) · Advanced
Best for: Technologists moving into nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
The ARRT Nuclear Medicine credential opens a distinct, higher-paying imaging discipline beyond general radiography.
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) Certification
Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) · Advanced
Best for: Technologists pursuing nuclear medicine who want the specialty board credential widely accepted alongside ARRT.
The NMTCB is the dedicated certifying board for nuclear medicine and is recognized by most employers for the specialty.
State Radiologic Technologist License
State licensing board (varies by state) · Entry
Best for: Any technologist working in a state that regulates the operation of radiation-producing equipment.
This is a state license, not a national certification, and in licensing states it is what legally authorizes you to perform imaging.
How to choose the right Radiology Technician certification
Start with the ARRT Radiography (R) certification, because it is the foundation everything else builds on. To earn it you complete a radiography program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and pass the ARRT exam. Almost every employer expects this credential, and most state licenses are issued to people who already hold it, so it is the first and most important box to check. Pair it with a current BLS card, since many hospitals require one before your start date.
After the primary credential, choose your next step by the imaging modality you want to grow into. CT and MRI are consistently in high demand and tend to pay more than general radiography, which makes the ARRT CT and MRI post-primary credentials the most common upgrades. Mammography, interventional radiography, bone densitometry, and nuclear medicine are strong specialties if they match the setting you want. Before paying for anything, confirm your state rules, because most states require a separate license to operate radiation equipment and that license is the credential that legally lets you work there.
How to list certifications on a Radiology Technician resume
Create a dedicated Certifications and Licenses section near the top of the resume so it is visible before the experience section. List the full credential name, the issuing body in its standard form, and the abbreviation, for example Radiography (R), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Many job postings name the specific modality and the ARRT explicitly, so spelling the organization out helps both applicant tracking systems and human reviewers match what the posting asks for. Use the standard ARRT format R.T.(R) and add modality letters like R.T.(R)(CT) when you hold post-primary credentials.
Always include current dates and, for your state credential, the license number and state, because verification depends on it. Write something like State Radiologic Technologist License, valid through 2027, and keep your BLS expiration date visible so a recruiter can see it is active. If you are still in your program or your exam is scheduled, label it honestly as In Progress with the expected date rather than implying you already hold the credential.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a certification to work as a radiology technician?
In practice, yes. Nearly all employers require ARRT Radiography (R) certification, and most states also require a state license to operate radiation-producing equipment. The ARRT credential is the standard, and in licensing states the state license is what legally authorizes you to perform imaging.
What is the difference between ARRT certification and a state license?
ARRT certification is a national credential granted by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists after you pass its exam. A state license is granted by a government agency and is legally required to operate radiation equipment in most states. Many states issue the license on the basis of your ARRT certification, so you typically need both.
Which radiology technician certification pays the most?
After the primary Radiography credential, the post-primary ARRT modalities tend to raise earning potential. CT, MRI, interventional radiography, and nuclear medicine are commonly among the higher-paying specialties, so adding the matching ARRT credential is the usual path to higher pay.
Do I also need BLS or CPR certification?
Often yes. Many hospitals and imaging centers require a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers card from the American Heart Association as a condition of hire. It is quick to earn and worth having ready before you apply.
