Why Radiography CE Credits Matter for Your Certification
Radiography CE credits are continuing education credits that radiologic technologists must earn to maintain their ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) certification and state licensure. These credits ensure you stay current with evolving technologies, safety protocols, and best practices in medical imaging.
Quick Answer: What You Need to Know
- Standard Requirement: Most R.T.s need 24 approved CE credits every two years (a biennium).
- R.R.A. Requirement: Registered Radiologist Assistants need 50 credits per biennium.
- Specialty Requirements: Some credentials like Sonography require discipline-specific credits.
- Reporting Deadline: Credits are reported during your annual renewal in your birth month.
- Where to Get Them: Courses must be approved by a RCEEM (Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism) like ASRT or AHRA.
As one technologist shared: “Best value for the money, especially for techs that need CE credits in a hurry!!” This reflects the reality for many busy imaging professionals.
This requirement isn’t just red tape; it exists to ensure patient safety and quality care. Medical imaging technology evolves rapidly with new digital radiography, MRI sequences, and updated radiation safety protocols. Without ongoing education, technologists would fall behind, potentially compromising patient outcomes.
Your CE credits also represent professional growth, opening doors to new specializations and demonstrating a commitment to excellence. Whether you’re in a hospital, imaging center, or mobile unit, staying current through CE is essential.
The system of state, ARRT, and specialization rules can feel overwhelming. However, once you understand the framework, managing your CE becomes straightforward.
Understanding ARRT and State Board CE Requirements
Managing radiography CE credits seems complicated, but it’s manageable once you understand the framework. You’ll need to meet requirements for both your national ARRT certification and your individual state license.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) sets national certification standards. To maintain certification, you must complete continuing education (CE) during a two-year period called a “biennium.” Your reporting dates are tied to your birth month, making them easy to remember and consistent throughout your career. For official details, refer to the ARRT Education Requirements for Obtaining and Maintaining Certification and Registration.
Additionally, your state licensing board has its own requirements, which can differ from ARRT standards in credit hours or specific topics. Understanding both is crucial to practice without interruption.
The ARRT Biennium: How Many Radiography CE Credits Do You Need?
Most Registered Technologists (R.T.s) need 24 approved radiography CE credits every two years. Registered Radiologist Assistants (R.R.A.s) need 50 credits per biennium, reflecting their expanded scope of practice.
Your biennium period is tied to your birth month. Your first biennium may be shorter to align with your birth month, standardizing your schedule going forward. Once established, your biennium dates generally stay the same, even if you add credentials. All credits must be earned within your specific two-year window; credits earned before or after don’t count for that biennium. We’ve created resources to help you satisfy radiology continuing education requirements for the biennium without stress.
What are Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR)?
Beyond the basic 24 credits, the ARRT’s Continuing Qualifications Requirements (CQR) ensure your CE addresses knowledge areas specific to your practice. The CQR process begins with a self-assessment. Based on the results, the ARRT may prescribe CE activities to address knowledge gaps, offering personalized learning.
These prescribed activities count toward your total CE, making your learning more strategic. The ARRT also requires 16 hours of structured education per biennium—courses with clear objectives and assessments. Your radiography CE credits fulfill CQR requirements when you choose approved courses that meet the structured education criteria. Most online CE from recognized providers already meets these standards. For a deeper dive, visit what you need to know about x-ray continuing education requirements.
State-Specific Licensing Requirements: CA, FL, & TX
While ARRT certification is national, your state license allows you to practice in a specific state, and each has its own rules.
California has detailed requirements via the California Department of Public Health. Technologists need 24 CECs related to applying X-rays to the human body. Of these, four must cover digital radiography. Fluoroscopy permit holders need four credits in radiation safety for fluoroscopy, and mammography certificate holders need ten credits in mammography. Credits for topics like MRI or ultrasound are not accepted for the radiography license. All credits must be earned within 24 months of permit expiration. We offer guidance on how to maintain your x-ray license in California and provide California combos that bundle required courses.
Florida requires 12 CE credits every two years, including a mandatory medical errors course. Technologists must self-submit credits to the state board. For details, see our FL continuing education self submission information.
Texas requirements are set by the Texas Medical Board and vary by license type. Always verify current rules directly with the state.
The takeaway is that meeting ARRT requirements doesn’t automatically satisfy your state’s; you must check both.
Finding and Selecting Approved Radiography CE Credits
Once you know the requirements, you must find courses that count. Earning unrecognized credits is a waste of time and effort.
To find accepted radiography CE credits, look for courses approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM). These organizations, like the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) and the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA), act as quality gatekeepers. Courses with their approval will count toward your ARRT certification.
At Scrubs CE, we offer courses accepted for Category A and A+ credits for ARRT® certification. Every course in our catalog meets the rigorous standards of accrediting bodies, so there’s no guesswork at renewal time.
Types of Accepted CE Activities and Formats
You can earn your radiography CE credits in various formats to fit your learning style and schedule.
Category A and A+ credits both count toward ARRT requirements. Academic courses from accredited institutions can also earn CE credits (16 per semester credit, 12 per quarter credit), a bonus if you’re pursuing a degree.
Traditional options include lectures, conferences, directed readings, and home study. In-person events offer networking but require travel, while home study provides flexibility.
Online courses are the most popular format, offering maximum convenience. Our catalog is built for this flexibility, with interactive content and instant certificates. Live webcasts are another option, combining live learning with at-home convenience.
For a comprehensive look, explore the top x-ray radiology ce credits you can earn online and our full selection of continuing education courses for x-ray technologists.
Where to Find Approved CE Courses
You can find approved radiography CE credits through several reliable sources.
Many employer-sponsored training programs offer CE opportunities, sometimes at no cost. It’s always worth asking your supervisor what’s available. Our course catalog at Scrubs CE is designed for busy technologists, with ASRT® and AHRA® approved courses on topics like Radiation Safety, Patient Care, Image Production, and Digital Imaging. All courses include free online testing and instant certificates.
The ARRT also provides a helpful biennial CE search tool that lets you verify whether specific activities are approved. When evaluating courses, always check for that approval number—it’s your guarantee the credits will count.
Costs and Budget-Friendly Options
CE costs vary, with options like per-credit pricing or unlimited subscriptions. At Scrubs CE, affordability is a cornerstone. We offer low-cost, high-quality options with free online testing and instant certificates. Our radiology ce course combos provide even greater savings by bundling credits.
We also provide free CE options, perfect for earning credits without cost. Don’t forget to check if your employer offers reimbursement or funding for CE. Many facilities invest in their staff’s professional growth, so it’s worth asking HR about education benefits.
CE Requirements for Radiography Specializations
Specializing in an imaging modality is an exciting career step, but it comes with specific radiography CE credits requirements.
Pursuing a post-primary certification requires maintaining expertise in that area. The ARRT typically requires 16 hours of structured education for a new credential to ensure you have a solid foundation. If you hold multiple credentials, you must earn credits to satisfy each one. While some credits may apply to multiple certifications, others must be discipline-specific. Careful planning makes this manageable.
CE for CT, MRI, and Mammography Technologists
As a dynamic field, Computed Tomography (CT) requires radiography CE credits that keep pace with evolving protocols, dose optimization, and new scanning techniques. Our Computed Tomography for Technologists course addresses these needs.
MRI technologists need CE focused on complex physics, unique safety protocols, and new pulse sequences. Our Magnetic Resonance Imaging course covers these essential areas and is accepted by ARMRIT for credential maintenance.
Mammography has some of the most stringent CE requirements, largely due to federal MQSA regulations. For example, California requires 10 of 24 CECs to be mammography-specific. These credits cover breast imaging techniques, quality assurance, and screening guidelines. We’ve created comprehensive resources on mammography continuing education requirements and offer mammography ce courses to meet these needs.
CE for Sonography, Fluoroscopy, and Nuclear Medicine
Sonography technologists must earn 16 discipline-specific ultrasound credits each biennium. We offer a variety of ultrasound ce courses that meet these requirements, and many are accepted by ARDMS.
For fluoroscopy, CE focuses on radiation safety due to higher potential exposure. California, for instance, requires four CECs in radiation safety for fluoroscopy permit holders. Our fluoroscopy ce courses emphasize these critical safety aspects.
Nuclear medicine technologists must meet NMTCB requirements, staying current on radiotracer protocols, imaging procedures, and radiation safety. We’ve developed nuclear medicine continuing education courses for these specialized topics.
The common thread is that your radiography CE credits are about maintaining expertise, not just checking boxes. The key is finding quality education that respects your time and genuinely advances your knowledge.
Best Practices for Managing Your CE and Renewal
Managing your radiography CE credits is a marathon, not a sprint. To avoid a last-minute rush, start early, stay organized, and spread your CE activities throughout your two-year cycle. The ARRT does not track your CE activities; the responsibility is yours. A simple system for managing CE is key to a smooth renewal process.
One tech shared this wisdom: “I block out one Saturday morning every quarter to knock out a few credits. By the time my renewal comes around, I’m already done and can focus on my actual job.” That’s the mindset that keeps your certification secure and your stress levels low.
How to Verify and Track Your Radiography CE Credits
Properly tracking your radiography CE credits provides peace of mind. Before starting a course, use the ARRT’s biennial CE search tool to verify its approval and avoid wasting time. Every legitimate CE course has an approval number from an RCEEM (like ASRT or AHRA) on the certificate, which is essential for ARRT recognition.
Our platform at Scrubs CE includes built-in tracking tools. You get an instant certificate upon completion, and your course history is always accessible in your account. We also recommend creating your own dedicated CE folder, digital or physical, for all your records. The golden rule is to save every certificate of completion. These are your proof, so back them up.
The Reporting and Audit Process
At renewal, you’ll attest to completing your required radiography CE credits. For most, the process ends there. However, the ARRT randomly audits a percentage of renewals. If audited, you must provide documentation for the credits you claimed. This is a standard quality control measure.
If audited, you’ll submit copies of your CE certificates. This is why meticulous record-keeping is vital. The standard recommendation is to keep all CE documentation for at least one full biennium after you renew (e.g., keep 2022-2024 certificates until at least 2026). Being prepared for an audit is professional practice. With organized records, an audit is a minor inconvenience, not a career crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Radiography CE Credits
Let’s tackle the most common questions about radiography CE credits to help you manage your requirements with confidence.
Can I use the same CE credits for my ARRT certification and my state license?
Usually, yes. Radiography CE credits that meet ARRT requirements (Category A/A+) often count toward state licensure, allowing you to satisfy both without doubling your work. However, you must verify your state’s specific rules, as some have unique requirements.
For example, California requires specific course designations and rejects topics not directly related to applying X-rays to the human body, even if ARRT accepts them. The bottom line: always check with your state board. ARRT-approved credits may not cover all state-specific requirements. We have resources like how to maintain your radiologic technology license in the state of colorado that can help.
What happens if I don’t complete my CE credits on time?
Failing to complete your radiography CE credits on time can derail your career. The ARRT will place your certification on CE probation, giving you a limited time to complete the credits. Failure to do so can result in the loss of your certification and registration.
Losing your certification means you cannot legally practice. The reinstatement process is costly, time-consuming, and requires you to prove competency again. This is a nightmare scenario. Proactive planning and timely completion are crucial to avoid it. It’s always easier to stay on track than to fix a missed deadline.
Can I carry over extra CE credits to my next biennium?
No. The ARRT does not allow you to carry over extra radiography CE credits. All credits must be earned within your specific two-year biennium. If you earn 30 credits when only 24 are required, the extra 6 credits do not roll over. It’s a “use it or lose it” system.
Being proactive is smart, but don’t stockpile credits for the next cycle. Meet your current requirements, and then you’ll start fresh at zero for the next biennium. This helps you pace yourself and explore topics that genuinely interest you rather than just checking boxes.
Conclusion: Investing in Your Radiography Career
Radiography CE credits are more than a requirement; they are your ticket to staying relevant, competent, and confident in an evolving field.
Medical imaging technology changes rapidly. Without CE, you risk falling behind on new equipment, safety protocols, and patient care techniques. This isn’t fair to you or your patients.
CE is also about career advancement. It’s your path to specializing in areas like CT or MRI, making you more valuable to employers and more competitive in the job market. We’ve outlined 8 ways x-ray continuing education can help you with x-ray tech jobs because the benefits extend far beyond compliance.
Each course adds to your toolkit, making you the go-to expert on the latest strategies and equipment. Investing in your education helps you excel, not just maintain certification.
We know finding time for CE is tough. That’s why Scrubs CE offers high-quality, self-paced courses with instant certificates that fit your schedule. It’s straightforward, affordable education designed for busy professionals.
Your career deserves this investment. Your patients deserve a technologist who stays current. And you deserve the satisfaction that comes from being excellent at what you do.
Ready to knock out those radiography CE credits and keep your career moving forward? We’re here to make it easy.
Fulfill your ARRT biennium requirements with our radiology continuing education courses.
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