Radiology Technician Classes Near Me in Scranton
To work as a radiology tech in Scranton, you complete an accredited radiography program and earn ARRT certification. Pennsylvania does not issue an individual state license for radiology technicians, so ARRT certification is the credential employers commonly ask for, though the state does regulate how X-ray operators are trained and kept current. In the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre metro, the median wage for the role is $68,740 a year, about $33.05 an hour, as of May 2025. Training usually takes about two years, and understanding how Pennsylvania handles the credential helps you choose a program that qualifies you for the ARRT exam.
Key Points
- Pennsylvania does not issue an individual state license for radiology technicians, so ARRT certification is the credential employers commonly require.
- The state still regulates X-ray operators: DEP rules require operators to be trained and competent and to complete continuing education, at least every two years for high-risk procedures and every four years for others.
- The standard path is an accredited radiography program plus the ARRT Radiography exam, usually about two years of training.
- In the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre metro, BLS reports a median wage of $68,740 a year, or $33.05 an hour, for the role, as of May 2025.
- A 2026 bill, House Bill 2173, would create state licensure for imaging professionals; a House committee advanced it in June 2026, but it is not yet law.
Working as a Radiology Tech in Pennsylvania Without a State License
Pennsylvania does not issue an individual occupational license for radiology technicians. That does not mean the work is unregulated. Under Department of Environmental Protection rules, anyone who operates an X-ray system has to be adequately instructed and competent in its safe use, and operators must complete continuing education, at least every two years for high-risk procedures and every four years for others. DEP also registers and regulates the X-ray machines and the facilities that run them.
What the state does not set is a single professional credential, so employers fill that gap. Most hospitals and imaging centers in Pennsylvania ask for ARRT certification in Radiography. To qualify for ARRT certification, you earn an associate degree or higher and complete an ARRT-approved radiography program. JRCERT accreditation is one recognized route, though not the only one ARRT accepts.
This picture could change. In February 2026, lawmakers introduced House Bill 2173, which would create state licensure and set education, certification, scope-of-practice, and renewal standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. The House Professional Licensure Committee advanced it unanimously in June 2026, after which it was recommitted to the House Rules Committee. As of now it has not become law, so the ARRT-plus-accredited-program standard is what applies.
Radiology Technician Salary in Scranton
In the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre metro, radiology technicians earn a median of $68,740 a year, or about $33.05 an hour. How much you earn within that range depends mostly on your experience and where you work.
The national outlook for the role is 4% growth from 2024 to 2034, and BLS expects the openings that do arise to come mostly from technicians retiring or moving into other fields. Major employers across the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area include Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center near Wilkes-Barre, and Lehigh Valley Hospital-Dickson City.
Some coursework may be offered online, but an ARRT-eligible radiography program requires hands-on clinical education, so it cannot be completed entirely remotely. On Dreambound, you can line up radiology technician programs by delivery format and location to see which ones fit your schedule.
How to Become a Radiology Technician in Scranton
Here is what the path looks like in Pennsylvania:
- Complete an ARRT-approved radiography program with supervised clinical rotations, usually about two years.
- Pass the ARRT Radiography certification exam.
- Apply for radiography jobs, since Pennsylvania has no separate state license to obtain first.
Because there is no state licensing step, your timeline is set by the program and the ARRT exam rather than a state application. If your employer requires ARRT certification, you maintain it under ARRT's own renewal and continuing-education requirements, and you meet the DEP operator continuing-education rules on the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to work as a radiology tech in Pennsylvania?
No, not an individual state license. Pennsylvania does not license radiology technicians as a profession, so there is no state credential to apply for. The state does require X-ray operators to be trained and competent under DEP rules, and employers commonly require ARRT certification in Radiography, which you earn by completing an accredited program and passing the ARRT exam.
Is Pennsylvania creating a state license for radiology techs?
There is a bill in progress. House Bill 2173, introduced in February 2026, would create state licensure and set education, certification, scope-of-practice, and renewal standards for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. A House committee advanced it unanimously in June 2026, and it moved to the House Rules Committee, but it has not become law. It is worth tracking if you are planning several years ahead.
Can you work in radiography in Pennsylvania without ARRT certification?
Pennsylvania does not require ARRT by law, so the requirement comes from the employer. In practice, most hospitals and imaging centers require ARRT certification, and it is the credential that opens the widest range of roles. Regardless of ARRT, anyone operating an X-ray machine still has to meet the state's DEP training and continuing-education rules for operators.
Do Pennsylvania radiology programs need to be accredited?
For the ARRT path, effectively yes. To qualify for the ARRT Radiography exam, you complete an ARRT-approved radiography program and earn an associate degree or higher. JRCERT accreditation is one recognized route, though not the only one ARRT accepts. Confirming a program meets ARRT's requirements is the step that keeps the credential within reach.
Getting the Credential Right in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's setup is the piece to plan around: there is no state license to earn, so your ARRT certification and an ARRT-eligible program are what carry you into the field, while DEP's operator rules govern safe practice on the job. Keeping an eye on House Bill 2173 makes sense if you are planning a few years out, but the accredited-program-plus-ARRT path is the reliable route today. The Scranton and Wilkes-Barre area's Geisinger and Lehigh Valley hospitals give certified technicians several places to build a career. Compare radiology technician programs on Dreambound by accreditation and format to find one that sets you up for the ARRT exam.
