What is the ARRT?
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists is a credentialing organization that helps qualify new professionals for work in radiation therapy, medical imaging and interventional procedures. ARRT certification is frequently required for jobs in these fields. The exams offered by ARRT challenge entry-level technologists on their knowledge of the daily tasks necessary for the profession. With a passing score, new technologists can find career opportunities across the country.
Which ARRT Should I Take?
Keep your professional goals in mind when determining which ARRT certification to pursue. If you're hoping for a career in cancer detection, for instance, you may want to take the ARRT mammography exam. Those interested in sonography, on the other hand, may want to register for the ARRT vascular exam, where they'll be challenged on their knowledge of ultrasound equipment. Knowing which ARRT test to take is truly up to you.
Before you register, though, you'll want to confirm your eligibility. Only those who have completed the necessary coursework related to their field of professional practice should sign up for ARRT certification tests. An associate degree or higher is required for most ARRT exams.
Other ARRT tests include:
- ARRT Bone Densitometry
- ARRT Cardiac-Interventional Radiography
- ARRT Computed Tomography
- ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography
- ARRT Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- ARRT Mammography
- ARRT Radiography
- ARRT Registered Radiologist Assistant
- ARRT Sonography
- ARRT Vascular-Interventional Radiography
Who is the ARRT?
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is the leading credentialing organization that seeks to ensure high quality patient care in radiologic technology. They test and certify technologists and administer continuing education and ethics requirements for their annual registration.
ARRT Certification Exam Process
Step 1: Eligibility and Application
To apply for ARRT certification and registration, you must first meet their education requirements, ethics requirements, and examination requirements. After ensuring your eligibility, you can apply online through their website (https://www.arrt.org/). You will need to set up an online account and fill out the application form. There will also be an application fee that you need to pay.
Step 2: Scheduling the Exam
Once your application is approved, you will receive an email from ARRT with instructions on how to schedule your exam. The email will also contain a Candidate Status Report which includes your examination authorization window (the dates during which you can schedule and take your exam). You can schedule your exam through Pearson VUE, the testing service partner of ARRT, either online at https://home.pearsonvue.com/arrt or by phone.
Step 3: Taking the Exam
On the day of your exam, arrive at the Pearson VUE testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam time. Bring a valid, government-issued ID with your photo and signature. You will be provided with a tutorial on how to use the computer before you start your exam. The exam format and the number of questions will vary depending on the discipline.
Location Information
Pearson VUE testing centers where you can take the ARRT certification exams are located across the United States and in some international locations. You can find a testing center near you by visiting the Pearson VUE website (https://home.pearsonvue.com/arrt).
Website
For more detailed information about the ARRT certification process, you can visit the ARRT website at https://www.arrt.org/.
How to register for the ARRT
Whether you're hoping to take the ARRT MRI, ARRT ultrasound exam,or the ARRT radiography exam, you'll first need to apply with the certification body. Upon completion of an ARRT-approved educational program, you'll need to ask your Program Director for an application. Complete and sign it, then ask your Program Director to fill out their portion of the form. Next, mail in the completed application. ARRT will verify the information and give you the okay to schedule and take your ARRT certification test.
It's critically important that you complete your education before registering. Since so much of the ARRT exam content centers around what you've learned in the classroom, you'll find it nearly impossible to pass without finishing your education first. Registration is linked directly with your program of study, too, making it difficult to even sign up for the test without first completing your studies.
Register online Register for the ARRTHow Does ARRT Scoring Work?
ARRT test results will become available within a few weeks of testing. A thorough score report will be mailed to you, detailing which questions you got wrong and why. Should you need to retake the ARRT certification exam, this information will be extra helpful.
ARRT exam content is scored on a scale of one to 99. In order to pass, you'll need to earn at least a 75 or higher. This score is not a percentage. The number of correct answers you'll need to get a 75 will vary from test to test. For instance, if you answer 131 out of 200 ARRT exam questions correctly, you'll earn a 75. On more difficult versions of ARRT certification tests, you might only need to answer 130 questions right to earn a 75. While it might sound confusing at first, scaled scores help keep things fair.
When your ARRT certification test results are calculated, the number of correct answers are counted first. Next, the scaled scores for individual sections of the test are scored. This helps show your performance across content areas. Averaging your section scores doesn't give you your final score, though. Instead, ARRT exam content is weighed individually. It all combines to give you a score that's representative of what you really know.
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Exams
The ARRT Bone Densitometry (BONE) exam is comprised of 75 questions to be answered over the course of two hours and fifteen minutes. Designed to assess the knowledge and skills an entry-level technologist needs for professional practice, this challenging exam covers a wide range of topics. Ahead of your test, be sure to study up on DXA procedures, patient factors and instrumentation, and proper scanning techniques. Earn a score of 75 or higher and you’ll be on your way to a successful career in radiology!
Image Production - 27%
DXA Scanning of Lumbar Spine - 20%
DXA Scanning of Proximal Femur - 20%
DXA Scanning of Forearm - 10%
Examinees of the ARRT Cardiac-Interventional Radiography (CI) test will face 145 questions during a three hour testing window. Developed to measure the techniques, skills and knowledge of entry-level radiology professionals, the test spans a number of challenging subject areas. Brush up on your cardiac-interventional procedures, patient care policies, and equipment and instrumentation best practices before the day of your exam – you’ll need a score of 75 or higher in order to pass.
Patient Care - 24%
Cardiac-Interventional Procedures - 55%
Your knowledge of image procedures, patient care, physics and instrumentation will be put to the test on the ARRT Computed Tomography (CT) exam. Created to help qualify entry-level radiology professionals, the test is made up of 165 questions to be answered over the course of four hours. More of a marathon than a sprint, this comprehensive exam demands thorough preparation. To ensure you earn a passing score of 75 or higher on your first attempt, make plans to study well in advance of your test date.
Image Procedures - 50%
Physics and Instrumentation - 33%
100 questions await aspiring radiology technicians on the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography (LSPR). Examinees have an hour and 40 minutes to contend with questions on subjects as varied as image acquisition and evaluation and radiation protection. In order to pass, you’ll need to earn a score of 75 or higher. With the safety and successful treatment of future patients on the line, you’ll need to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of your professional practice in order to do well on this exam. Avoid paying expensive registration fees multiple times – study hard and you’ll pass on your first attempt!
Equipment Operation and Quality Control - 11.0%
Image Acquisition and Evaluation - 22.5%
Image Procedures - 29%
Patient Care and Education - 15.0%
The radiology technicians of tomorrow will need to demonstrate their mastery of the fundamentals before they begin working in the field. Designed to measure the knowledge and skills of such professionals, the ARRT Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test was developed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technicians. Comprised of 200 multiple-choice questions to be answered in the span of four hours, the exam is nothing if not comprehensive. To ensure you pass on your first attempt, be sure to study imaging procedures, data acquisition and processing, as well as patient care and the physical principles of image formation.
Imaging Procedures - 30%
Data Acquisition and Processing - 32%
Physical Principles of Image Formation - 22%
115 questions await aspiring radiology technicians on the ARRT Mammography (MAMM) test. Spanning a three hour testing window, the exam offers entry-level radiology professionals the chance to demonstrate their knowledge of industry best practices and techniques. To ensure you receive a passing score of 75 or higher, be sure to study breast imaging procedures, anatomy, physiology, pathology and mammographic technique ahead of your test date. Preparation is the key to success on this challenging exam!
Image Production - 35%
Image Evaluation - 25%
Quality Assurance and Quality Control - 10%
Before you begin your career in radiology, you’ll need to demonstrate your mastery of radiation protection, equipment operation, and image procedures on the ARRT Radiography (RAD) exam. You’ll have four hours to answer 200 multiple-choice questions on the subject, but don’t let the lengthy testing period fool you: this rigorous exam demands careful time management. In order to achieve a passing score of 75 or higher, be sure to study the principles of equipment operation and technique ahead of your test date.
Equipment Operation and Quality Control - 11.0%
Image Acquisition and Evaluation - 22.5%
Image Procedures - 29%
Patient Care and Education - 15.0%
Aspiring radiology professionals may be required to take and pass the ARRT Registered Radiologist Assistant (RRA) test before they begin working in the field. Examinees face 200 multiple-choice questions and 10-30 case study questions during a seven hour testing period. With your future career on the line, there’s not much margin for error. Revisit patient communication, radiologic procedures, and radiation safety in order to pass with a score of 75 or higher.
4 - Essay/
Constructed Response
Drugs and Contrast Materials - 15%
Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology - 26%
Radiologic Procedures - 19%
Radiation Safety, Radiation Biology, and Fluoroscopic Operation - 19%
Medical-Legal, Professional, and Governmental Standards - 8%
Case Studies - 4%
360 questions await examinees of the ARRT Sonography (SONO) exam. They’ll have more than seven hours to complete the test, but given the breadth and challenging nature of the exam, many find the exam incredibly challenging. To ensure a passing score on their first attempt, registrants should make time to study the physical principles of ultrasounds, obstetrical and gynecological procedures, and abdominal procedures before their test date. A score of 75 or higher is required for passing.
Physical Principles of Ultrasound - 32%
Abdominal Procedures - 21%
Obstetrical and Gynecological Procedures - 30%
Superficial Structures and Other Sonographic Procedures - 9%
Patient care, abdominal procedures, and equipment and instrumentation are all fair game for examinees of the ARRT Vascular-Interventional Radiography (VI) exam. Expect 160 questions to be answered over the span of four hours. Aspiring radiology professionals will need to earn a score of 75 or higher to pass this challenging test, so preparation is key. Ahead of your test date, be sure to brush up on venous access, dialysis, and neurologic procedures – prepare thoroughly and you’ll be ready to face any questions on the subject!
Patient Care - 17%
Procedures - 68%
Neurologic - 8%
Abdominal - 16%
GU and GI, non vascular - 10%
Peripheral - 12%
Dialysis - 7%
Venous Access - 5%
