1. High School Diploma or equivalent: Complete high school or earn a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Good academic standing, particularly in science and math courses, is often required.
2. Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology: Enroll in an accredited radiologic technology program at a community college, technical institute, or hospital-based program. These programs typically take two years to complete and combine classroom instruction with clinical training.
3. Coursework: During the associate degree program, you'll take courses in:
- Radiographic positioning and procedures
- Radiation physics and safety
- Patient care and medical ethics
- Anatomy and physiology
- Imaging processing and quality control
4. Clinical Training: As part of the program, you'll participate in supervised clinical rotations where you'll gain hands-on experience in real-world medical settings.
5. Certification: After completing the program, you'll be eligible to sit for a national certification exam, such as the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam. Passing the exam will earn you the Registered Radiologic Technologist (R.T.) credential.
Some states may also require additional licenses or certifications. Check with your state's regulatory body for specific requirements.
Once you've obtained your associate degree, passed the certification exam, and met any state licensing requirements, you can practice as a radiological technician. With experience and continued education, you can advance your career by specializing in certain areas, such as mammography, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).