X Ray Certification

How To Get Your X Ray Certification

Do you need to be certified to be able to start working as radiologic technologist? How do you go about obtaining your x ray certification? Health care involves treating people with disease, illness or injuries. To help in the diagnosis imaging technology, like x-rays, are used. When subjected to the x ray machine, certain body parts are exposed to radiation to take a picture of beneath the skin. That's why it is important that an x ray technician be qualified to operate the equipment and be aware of safety procedures.

X Ray Certification vs Licensure

Certification for x ray technician is on a voluntary basis. It is proof you have met specific requirements relative to your field of study, in this case, radiology. But employers are increasingly requiring applicants to have passed the certification tests administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to be awarded the Registered Technologist (RT) status. With an RT designation, both employers and their patients are at least guaranteed their medical needs are being handled by a competent and skilled x ray technician, who is aware of safety procedures, ethics and laws. Certification is issued by a professional regulatory body not by the state.

Licensure is administered by the state and is different from certification. A license is a permit to practice your profession after having passed certain requirements. A licensed x ray technician is bound by law and violation of these laws could result in a fine, a loss of the license or even imprisonment. Each state has their own requirements to qualify for a license and you should check on these even before you start with your x ray technician training so everything you do towards preparing for your career will comply with them.

Although the state can make its own licensure tests, many use the ARRT exams for licensure purposes. Not all states require a license for x ray technologists, but x ray certification will go a long way in proving your credibility as a professional and could mean better paying opportunities. What do you need to obtain this certification?
 
Getting certified

1. Formal training - You first need to complete a diploma, associate or bachelor's program for radiologic technology training from any x ray technician schools accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. To be admitted, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or its GED equivalent. The training consists of didactics, laboratory and clinical training, with internship usually making up more than 50% of total program hours. You need at least a GPA of 2.5 in your coursework to qualify for the x ray certification exam. 

2. Pass the certification test - The test is four hours long with 220 multiple choice questions that are checked with a pass or fail mark. Get at least a grade of 75% to pass the test and you will be awarded the Registered Technologist status. You have three chances to pass. Before the fourth attempt, you will need to re-take your training course.

3. Certification Renewal - You are required to take 24 hours of continuing education credits within two years as a requirement for renewing your certification. Continuing studies is not only for this purpose but helps add to your credentials when seeking advancement in your career.

Certification is an important factor in determining your x ray technician salary. It is also a way to show patients you are among the best to give the health care service they need. 

X ray certification is not only for the traditional imaging modality. But if you decide to specialize in other modalities like computed tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) there are also separate certifications given by the ARRT.

Remember, x ray certification is a seal of your competence so it will be to your advantage to begin your career with this.

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