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ARRT certification is professional recognition from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This body is the world's largest credentialing organization for medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation therapy. Healthcare organizations in all 50 states and many countries recognize this certification.

There are approximately 350,000 ARRT-registered professionals. In many states, their certification helps them secure the license they need to work at local healthcare organizations. Even where certification isn't mandatory, it helps people in this sector demonstrate their qualifications, professional standing, and commitment to patient care. Read on to learn more about ARRT certification and how it benefits professionals and the radiologic technology sector.
 

What is ARRT Certification?

ARRT certification is official documentation from the ARRT that verifies that an individual has met the body's rigorous professional standards in medical imaging, interventional procedures, or radiation therapy. Its certifications, considered the gold standard for radiologic technologists, are recognized by healthcare organizations, state licensing agencies, and federal regulators. They're so well regarded that many employers only accept candidates with ARRT certification.

Applicants must show they have the necessary knowledge, ethics, and commitment to education to secure and maintain ARRT certification. These applicants may be qualified in a variety of radiologic technology roles. Primary ARRT certification is available in radiography, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging, sonography, and vascular sonography. The ARRT also issues post-primary certifications in bone densitometry, breast sonography, cardiac interventional radiography, computed tomography, MRI, mammography, vascular interventional radiography, and vascular sonography. It also has a Registered Radiologist Assistant credential.

Related: How Do Certification and Associate Degrees Differ?
 

Benefits of ARRT Certification

Securing ARRT certification has many benefits for a radiologic technologist's career and professional growth. As many organizations require or prefer candidates with AART certification, certified professionals enjoy more job opportunities. A wealth of opportunities can often lead to higher job satisfaction. Securing ARRT certification can increase a healthcare professional's credibility, which may improve their job security and potential for advancement.

As ARRT certification is recognized nationally and in many international markets, certified professionals enjoy greater mobility. They find it much easier to transition to roles in other states and other countries without securing extra qualifications.

ARRT-certified radiologic technologists must be committed to professional development to maintain their certification. As they participate in ongoing education, they learn more about their industry and the latest trends and technology. They can then apply this knowledge to become a better radiology professional.
 

ARRT Certification Requirements

Candidates must meet the ARRT's education, ethics, and examination requirements to secure their certification. Satisfying all three requirements proves the candidate has the knowledge and character to meet the ARRT's standards.

Candidates must hold an associate's degree or higher to qualify for primary certification. They also need a qualification in the same discipline as their certification from an AART-recognized accredited learning institution. AART-approved training programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technologies. The candidate's qualification might be their degree, if they studied radiologic technology, or a separate qualification if they secured an unrelated degree. They should apply for certification within three years of completing their ARRT-approved educational program to satisfy the body's three-year rule.

Candidates must also answer ethical questions on their application to show they're of good moral character. They should answer all questions honestly and disclose relevant ethical violations to the ARRT. Candidates can call the ARRT's Ethics Requirements Department if they're unsure whether a potential violation is relevant to their application.

Candidates must also meet the ARRT's examination requirement. The examination tests each candidate's knowledge of an entry-level radiologic technologist's typical tasks.

Related: What Can You Do With an Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology?
 

ARRT Certification Process

Most people receive their ARRT certification through the primary pathway and application process.[13] Before beginning this process, ARRT encourages people to review the primary handbook, complete an ARRT-approved educational program, and ensure they meet the ARRT's ethical requirements. They should also report any potential ethical violations to the ARRT before commencing their application.

Applicants should speak to their education program director about their desire for certification. Program directors can provide paper applications and information about applying for ARRT certification online. Applicants should complete their application in full, with any Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations they'll need, and then submit it to the ARRT for processing. Applicants must also pay the application fee of $225.

The ARRT verifies that each applicant has completed an eligible education program before approving the application. Applicants should allow at least 30 days for processing. Processing applications with ADA accommodations can take longer. Successful applicants receive a status report with instructions for scheduling the certification exam. They have 365 days to schedule and sit their exam through a Pearson VUE testing center.

Applicants complete the exam at a testing center and receive a preliminary score after completing all questions. The ARRT reviews all examinations before sending applicants a final score, usually in two or three weeks. Applicants who pass the exam are now certified.

Related: How To Become a Radiology Tech
 

ARRT Examination

The ARRT examination is a computer-based exam developed by industry experts and administered by respected testing agency Pearson VUE. It tests theoretical knowledge and clinical skills based on the ARRT content specifications for each certification category. The number of questions varies by discipline. Most questions are multiple choice with a single best answer.

Applicants sit the exam at their preferred Pearson VUE testing center. They should arrive 30 minutes before their scheduled exam time with two forms of identification. They cannot take personal belongings into the exam room, including cell phones, study guides, and calculators.

The ARRT grades all exams between 1 and 99. This scaled scoring system helps make the exam fair across all versions. Applicants must score 75 or more to pass the exam. They'll receive a preliminary result at the testing center and their official score in the mail within four weeks of the exam date. Unsuccessful candidates can attempt the exam three times within a three-year period.
 

Maintaining ARRT Certification

After achieving ARRT certification, professionals must renew their registration every year to maintain it. Their renewal date is always the last day of their birth month. To renew the registration, ARRT-certified professionals must meet the continuing education and continuing qualifications requirements and comply with the ARRT's ethical standards.

All AART-certified professionals must report their continuing education activities every two years, known as a biennium. Eligible activities include CE activities approved by state licensing agencies, completing ARRT-approved academic courses, publishing an article in an ARRT-approved peer-reviewed medical journal, and receiving advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Most radiologic technologists must earn 24 approved CE credits per biennium. Certified sonographers need at least 16 credits related to their specialty. Registered Radiologist Assistants need to earn 50 CE credits per biennium.

All Registered Radiologist Assistants and radiological technologists who became certified from 2011 onward must meet continuing qualifications requirements. Applicable professionals complete a structured self-assessment every 10 years to identify knowledge gaps. They then participate in further education to close those knowledge gaps. Even though this process isn't mandatory for people certified before 2011, they can undertake these assessments and further training voluntarily.

Certified professionals must also continue to comply with the ARRT's Standards of Ethics to maintain their certification. They should report any potential ethics violations to the ARRT so they can decide whether to withdraw certification.
 

ARRT Credentials and Career Advancement

ARRT credentials can help radiologic technologists advance in their careers in several ways. Primary certifications prove to healthcare organizations and their patients that a radiologic technologist is knowledgeable, ethical, and committed to their career development. Their good standing could give them a competitive edge over other job candidates, especially in markets where certification isn't mandatory. They may also gain access to resources and networking opportunities that can help them increase their knowledge and make valuable connections for advancement.

In addition to primary certifications, the ARRT offers post-primary certifications in specialized areas. Professionals can obtain these advanced certifications to prove their specialist knowledge. The body also offers an advanced certification for Registered Radiologist Assistants. For many certified professionals, earning these additional certifications is the next natural step in their career progression. Advanced certifications may help them secure specialist positions. As advanced certifications are always optional, they can be an excellent way for professionals to differentiate themselves from other job candidates.
 

Conclusion

Obtaining ARRT certification can be an excellent way for radiological technologists to prove they are knowledgeable professionals with high standards and a commitment to patient care. Healthcare organizations across the United States and many other nations around the world favor candidates with this high-quality certification, so earning one or more can be an excellent way to increase job opportunities. Certification represents a lifelong commitment to upholding high ethical standards and continuing education to stay abreast of developments in radiology, which makes it an excellent choice for anyone passionate about this field.