ARRT Radiography
ARRT Radiography Certification and Registration Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
ARRT certification and registration in Radiography is a credential that, in ARRT's words, "recognize[s] individuals who are qualified to perform the role of a radiographer." Most radiologic technologists enter the profession through this discipline, producing images of patients' internal organs, soft tissues, and bones with X-ray equipment and assisting radiologists with procedures such as fluoroscopic imaging or gastrointestinal exams that use contrast media. It is intended for students graduating from a recognized educational program in radiography who apply through ARRT's primary eligibility pathway, and it is distinct from state licensure, which is handled separately. Earning the credential requires meeting requirements in three areas: education, ethics, and examination. ARRT publishes three documents that define the exam and the training behind it - the Didactic and Clinical Competency Requirements, the Examination Content Specifications, and the Task Inventory - with a version "through February 28, 2027" and a revised version "effective March 1, 2027" for each. To prepare, read all three documents, confirm which version applies to your test date, review the application overview and primary eligibility pathway handbook, and build a study plan around the topic outline in the content specifications rather than around question banks alone.
What you'll study
About ARRT Radiography preparation
Which pathway do I use to earn the Radiography credential?
ARRT states that to earn certification and registration in Radiography you use the primary eligibility pathway. That pathway requires you to satisfy education, ethics, and examination requirements. Review the initial requirements pages and download the primary eligibility pathway application handbook before you start the application, since the process involves a number of detailed steps.
What do the three ARRT documents actually tell me?
The Didactic and Clinical Competency Requirements explain the coursework and clinical procedures you must complete. The Examination Content Specifications outline the topics that appear on the exam. The Task Inventory lists the job responsibilities typically required of technologists working in radiography. Read all three - the competencies shape your program, and the specifications shape your study plan.
Two versions of each document are posted. Which one applies to me?
ARRT posts a version "through February 28, 2027" and a revised version "effective March 1, 2027." If you test before that date, the earlier documents apply. If you test on or after March 1, 2027, the revised requirements, content specifications, and task inventory apply. Confirm the version for your own test date with ARRT before finalizing study materials.
How many questions are on the exam, and how long do I have?
The ARRT pages reviewed for this profile do not state an item count or a time limit, so no number is given here. Those details appear in ARRT's exam preparation and exam day materials and in the application handbook. Check ARRT's official pages directly rather than relying on secondhand figures, which change when exams are revised.
What score do I need to pass, and what happens if I don't?
The source material reviewed does not publish a passing score or a retake policy, so neither is stated here. ARRT covers scoring and results in its After the Exam resources and covers repeat attempts in its examination requirement and frequent questions pages. Confirm both directly with ARRT, and call 651.687.0048 and choose the option for earning an ARRT credential.
How much does it cost to apply and test?
Fees are not listed on the Radiography page reviewed, so no amount is given here. ARRT maintains a separate Application Fees page under How to Apply, and the application handbook for your pathway itemizes what you owe and when. Check that page at the time you apply, because fees are updated independently of the exam content specifications.
Does ARRT certification give me a license to work?
No. ARRT describes certification and registration as recognizing individuals qualified to perform the role of a radiographer, and it treats state licensing as a separate subject with its own overview page. Many states have their own licensure requirements, which can differ from ARRT's. Check your state's requirements in addition to ARRT's credential requirements.
What is the smartest order to study in?
Start with the Examination Content Specifications, because ARRT states they outline the topics that appear on the exam. Then use the Task Inventory to see which job responsibilities are emphasized, and cross-check the Didactic and Clinical Competency Requirements for procedures you may have seen only briefly in clinical rotations. Build your schedule around the specification outline, not around whichever textbook you happen to own.
What are the most common ways candidates lose points?
Candidates who study only positioning and procedures tend to be weakest on the physics and radiation protection material the content specifications include, and on patient care and education topics that seem like common sense but have specific correct answers. Another frequent problem is preparing from an outdated version of the content specifications or task inventory. Verify which version applies to your test date first.