How to Get Instant Certification Online Without Spending a Dime
Free ARRT Credits: What Every Radiologic Technologist Needs to Know
Free ARRT credits are a real, legitimate way to meet part of your biennial continuing education (CE) requirements — no catch, no credit card required.
Here are the top sources you can use right now:
| Source | Credits Available | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ARRT’s Guide to Ethics in Imaging (via ASRT) | 1.0 Category A | Free |
| Medical equipment vendor training (on-site) | Up to 8 Category A/biennium | Free |
| CAMRT CE activities (for ARRT members) | Varies | Varies |
As a Radiology technologist, keeping up with CE requirements every two years is non-negotiable. But with demanding schedules and tight budgets, paying for every credit adds up fast.
The good news? Several legitimate, approved sources offer free Category A credits — the exact type ARRT requires for credential renewal. Some rotate regularly, so knowing where to look (and when) makes a real difference.
I’m Zita Ewert, and as the leader behind SCRUBS Continuing Education®, I’ve spent years helping Radiology professionals find high-quality, affordable — and sometimes completely free ARRT credits — without sacrificing accuracy or compliance. Let me walk you through every option worth knowing about.
Quick free ARRT credits terms:
Understanding ARRT Continuing Education Requirements
Before you start hunting for every free ARRT credits offer on the internet, we need to talk about the “rules of the road.” The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) doesn’t just accept any random blog post or YouTube video as education. To maintain your certification and registration, you must adhere to a specific ARRT renewal process.
The Biennial Requirement
Most R.T.s are familiar with the “24 in 2” rule. This means you need to complete 24 continuing education credits every two years (your biennium). These credits must be Category A or A+. If you are looking for a deep dive into the specifics, check out our ASRT CE requirements complete guide.
What Makes a Credit “Count”?
For a course to be valid for ARRT CE renewal, it must be approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM). Common RCEEMs include the ASRT and AHRA. When you find free ARRT credits, always look for that RCEEM approval seal. Without it, you’re just learning for fun—which is great, but it won’t help you keep your license!
Credit Distributions
One technical detail we often see technologists trip over is “credit distribution.” This is how the ARRT evaluates an activity to see if it aligns with their specific content outlines. Sometimes, a provider might award 2.0 credits, but the ARRT only recognizes 1.5 of those credits for a specific subcategory (like Safety or Image Production). This is especially important for those undergoing Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR) or seeking a postprimary credential.
Top Sources for free ARRT credits Online
Finding free ARRT credits online is a bit like finding a great parking spot—it requires good timing and knowing where to look. Many providers offer a few “teaser” courses to show off their platform’s quality.
Category A Activities for Free
The most common way to find free CE radiology credits is through rotating monthly or quarterly offers from CE providers. These are usually full Category A courses that include a reading module and a post-test. Once you pass, you get an instant certificate.
Leveraging Professional Associations
While many associations require a membership fee, the ARRT itself occasionally releases free modules directly to Registered Technologists. Additionally, organizations like CAMRT (the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists) act as an RCEEM. If you are a US-based technologist with an active ARRT membership, many CAMRT activities can count toward your requirements. Just be sure to check that the specific activity isn’t a “competency-based” exam, as those are generally ineligible for CE credit.
The ARRT Search Tool
If you want to verify if a course is legitimate, the ARRT provides an official Find CE tool. You can search by keyword or category to find approved biennial activities. It’s a fantastic way to ensure the ARRT continuing education online you’ve found is actually recognized by the Registry.
Ethics in Radiology: Meeting ARRT Requirements
One of the most significant opportunities for free ARRT credits currently available is the ARRT Free Ethics CE | ARRT Volunteer Portal. In honor of their 100th anniversary, the ARRT created a special module called the “Guide to Ethics in Imaging.”
What Does the Ethics Module Cover?
This isn’t just a boring list of rules. It covers:
- The ARRT mission and the “Equation of Excellence.”
- Deep dives into the Standards of Ethics.
- Common rule violations in the Radiology department.
- The ethics review process and how it affects your registration.
The module is available through April 2025 and offers 1.0 Category A CE credit. It features insights from the ARRT CEO and other compliance experts. To access it, you usually need to visit the ASRT store, add it to your cart (it will show as $0.00), and complete the checkout process. It’s a “must-do” for any R.T. looking to stay compliant while saving money.
At Scrubs CE, we also focus heavily on these standards. Our courses are designed to help you navigate the complexities of professional ethics, ensuring you not only meet your credit goals but also provide the highest level of patient care.
Rotating Industry Courses and free ARRT credits
Several websites serve as “hubs” for rotating free ARRT credits. These are often ASRT approved CE credits or AHRA-recognized modules. Because they rotate, a course available today might be gone next month.
Specific Free Courses Often Available
Based on current industry trends and provider offerings, you can often find free modules on topics like:
- Ultrasound Imaging (0.75 Credits): Basics of wave physics and imaging principles.
- Spine Trauma Evaluation (1.0 Credit): Identifying critical injuries in emergency settings.
- Radiation Dose in Mammography (1.25 Credits): Balancing image quality with patient safety.
- MRI of the Thumb (0.50 Credits): Specialized positioning and anatomy.
- PACS Systems & Quality Control (1.0 Credit): The digital backbone of the Radiology department.
- CT Image Post Processing (0.25 Credits): Quick modules on 3D reconstruction and filtering.
On-Site Vendor Training
Don’t forget about the equipment in your own clinic! When your facility buys a new MRI suite or a portable X-ray unit, the vendor usually sends an applications specialist for “Apps Training.”
The ARRT allows you to count up to 8 Category A credits of applications facility training per biennium. This is a great way to get free ARRT credits while literally doing your job. Just keep in mind that as of January 1, 2024, this training only counts toward biennial CE, not for CQR or structured education for new credentials.
Maximizing Your Professional Development Strategy
While free ARRT credits are fantastic for “topping off” your biennium, they can be a bit of a headache to manage. You have to hunt them down, track different expiration dates, and manage multiple accounts across various websites.
Free CE vs. Unlimited CE Plans
For many busy Radiology professionals, an unlimited CE plan is actually the more “cost-effective” choice in the long run. Here is how they stack up:
| Feature | Free CE Credits | Unlimited CE Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0.00 | Typically $40 – $50/year |
| Availability | Limited; must hunt for them | 100+ courses instantly available |
| Convenience | High (one-time use) | Very High (all-in-one dashboard) |
| CQR/Structured Ed | Rarely available for free | Often included in bundles |
| Certificates | Multiple locations | All stored in one place |
| Topic Variety | Whatever is on sale | You choose what interests you |
The Benefits of Unlimited Access
If you need a full 24 credits, chasing 24 individual 1-credit freebies can take hours of searching. With an unlimited plan, you can pick a 24-credit bundle or a few large courses and be done in a single afternoon. Plus, you get the peace of mind knowing that all your credits are ASRT approved CE credits and ready for the ARRT.
Planning Your Biennium
Don’t wait until the month your birth month to start your CE. We recommend checking for free ARRT credits at the start of your biennium. Grab the “big” freebies (like the 1.0 ethics credit) early. If you still have a gap 6 months before your deadline, that’s the perfect time to look into an affordable unlimited plan to finish strong.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Radiology CE
Can I use free credits for CQR or structured education?
Yes, but with caveats. If a free course is Category A or A+ and fits the content outline for your CQR “prescribed CE,” it will count. However, “Applications Training” (vendor training on-site) is no longer accepted for CQR or structured education as of 2024. Always check the “credit distribution” to see if the course meets the specific subcategories you need.
How often should I check for new free course offers?
We recommend checking once a quarter. Most major CE providers rotate their “trial” or “free” courses every 3 to 4 months. Following your favorite CE providers on social media is also a great way to get instant alerts when a new freebie drops.
What documentation do I need for ARRT reporting?
Even for free ARRT credits, you must keep your certificate of completion. It should include:
- Your name.
- The course title.
- The number of credits awarded.
- The date of completion.
- The RCEEM approval reference number.
- The name of the sponsoring organization.
Keep these records for at least one year after your biennium ends in case of an audit!
Conclusion
Staying certified shouldn’t have to break the bank. By combining the official free ARRT credits from the Registry (like the Ethics module) with rotating industry offers and on-site vendor training, you can significantly reduce the cost of your professional development.
However, your time is also valuable. If the “hunt” for free credits becomes too time-consuming, Scrubs CE is here to help with affordable, streamlined, and high-quality courses that make renewal a breeze. Whether you are looking for a single course or a full biennium solution, our goal is to help you get back to what matters most: providing excellent care to your patients.
Ready to simplify your renewal? More info about Radiology CEU services is just a click away!
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