Radiology Technician Classes Near Me

An instructor points at a full-body X-ray on a large screen while two radiology technician students in scrubs watch, with the text Radiology Technician Classes Near Me.

Radiology technician classes are available across the United States in two credential paths: a Limited Scope X-ray Operator certificate that takes about 8 to 12 months, or a full ARRT Radiography R.T.(R) credential earned through an 18-to-24-month JRCERT-accredited associate degree. Radiologic technologists and technicians earn a median of $77,660 per year (BLS, May 2024). The right school depends less on location alone than on whether its accreditation and clinical placement match the credential you want and the state where you plan to work. Below you can find radiology technician schools by city and state, the programs Dreambound has reviewed, and how to tell a strong program from a weak one before you commit.

Programs for you

Southern New Hampshire University

BA Psychology with concentration in Mental Health

Online

Complete your degree at your own pace
24/7 online accessibility

Financial aid (may be available)

Southern New Hampshire University

BS Healthcare Administration

Online

Complete your degree at your own pace
24/7 online accessibility

Financial aid (may be available)

Walden University

BS in Psychology

Online

Online program from an HLC- accredited institution.
Develop creative thinking skills to address behavioral & mental processes.

Financial aid (may be available)

CCI Training Center

Pharmacy Technician certification

Online

100% Online Job Training Program
Quick Training: Full program takes only a few short months

Financial aid (may be available)

Key Points

Radiology technician classes run along two credential paths: a Limited Scope X-ray Operator certificate (about 8 to 12 months) or a full ARRT Radiography R.T.(R) credential through a JRCERT-accredited associate degree (about 18 to 24 months)
Radiologic technologists and technicians earn a median of $77,660 per year, with the top 10% earning more than $106,990 (BLS, May 2024)
The full R.T.(R) credential requires a JRCERT-accredited program, and as of February 2026 JRCERT accredits 710 programs nationwide
Most states require a state license in addition to ARRT certification, and a few do not recognize Limited Scope certification at all
The ARRT Radiography exam fee is $225, with a first-time pass rate of 85.2% per the ARRT 2024 Annual Exam Report

Radiology Technician Programs on Dreambound

Dreambound is a free platform that helps you compare training programs across the United States. The programs below are organized by credential path, since your first decision is whether you want a faster Limited Scope certificate or the full ARRT Radiography R.T.(R) credential that hospitals and specialty roles ask for.

Radiology Technician Training (Online) — CCI Training Center

Format: Online
Length: 8 months (4 months online instruction, 4 months clinical rotations)
Accredited by ACCET; prepares you for ARRT Limited Scope certification

Radiology Tech Training (Hybrid) — CCI Training Center

Format: Hybrid
Length: Individual courses average three weeks; full program runs a few months
Accredited by ACCET; weekly live lectures with small class sizes, no prior experience required

Medical Radiography Associate's — ECPI University

Format: Hybrid
Length: As little as 18 months
JRCERT-accredited AAS; graduates are eligible for the national ARRT Radiography exam

CCI offers its Limited Scope training through two delivery formats, so compare both to see which schedule fits how you learn. Tuition is not listed here; open each program on Dreambound to see current cost, length, and start dates before you decide.

What Does a Radiology Technician Do?

A radiology technician, more formally a radiologic technologist or R.T., performs diagnostic imaging procedures. The role centers on positioning patients for accurate images, operating the imaging equipment, and following the radiation safety rules that protect the patient and the care team. Day to day, that includes preparing patients, shielding areas that should not be imaged, taking the images a physician orders, and keeping accurate records.

Radiologic technologist is an umbrella term for professionals who use various imaging methods, including X-ray, CT, MRI, and sonography. A diagnostic medical sonographer, by contrast, works specifically with ultrasound. Knowing which modality a program trains you for matters when you compare schools.

Radiology technicians work across several settings, which also affects schedule and pace:

Hospitals, where technicians operate a wide range of imaging equipment alongside physicians, nurses, and radiologists
Diagnostic imaging centers, which focus on outpatient X-ray, CT, and MRI with a steadier schedule
Physician offices, often in smaller teams supporting diagnosis and treatment planning
Urgent care clinics, where imaging supports rapid treatment decisions
Research institutions, where technicians support clinical studies using advanced imaging

Radiology Technician Classes by City

Dreambound lists radiology technician classes across the United States, organized by city. If you don't see your city, you can always search by zip code.

How to Become a Radiology Technician by State

State processes and requirements vary, so Dreambound publishes a separate guide for each state. Find yours below:

What to Look for in a Radiology Technician School Near You

The closest school is not always the right one. Four signals separate a program worth your time and money from one that leaves you with a credential your state or employer will not accept:

Accreditation that matches your credential goal. For the full R.T.(R) associate degree, the program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), the only accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for radiography. For a Limited Scope certificate, the course must be approved by ARRT. Verify accreditation in JRCERT's directory before you commit.
Clinical placement support. Radiography requires substantial supervised clinical hours. Confirm whether the school arranges your clinical placement or expects you to find a site yourself, and whether it places students in your area.
A credential path that fits where you want to work. Limited Scope qualifies you for a defined set of X-ray procedures in settings like physician offices, chiropractic clinics, and urgent care. The full R.T.(R) is the credential hospitals and large imaging centers ask for, and it opens specialty paths in CT, MRI, and mammography.
State recognition. A few states do not license Limited Scope X-ray operators at all. Confirm your state recognizes the credential you plan to earn by checking your state's radiologic licensing board before you pay for a program.

How Much Radiology Technician School Costs and How Long It Takes

Cost and timeline track closely with the credential path. A Limited Scope certificate is the faster and lower-commitment route at roughly 8 to 12 months. A full R.T.(R) associate degree is the longer route at about 18 to 24 months, and counting certification and licensing, most students on that path reach working status in roughly 2 to 3 years.

Tuition varies widely by school type. Community college associate degrees are typically the lowest-cost route to the full credential, though seats can be limited and waitlists are common. Private and accelerated programs cost more but often start sooner and run on a fixed schedule. The cheapest program and the fastest program are usually not the same program, which is why comparing by both cost and start date matters more than picking the nearest option. The cheapest and fastest guide linked below breaks down the full range.

Radiology Technician Certification Explained

Most employers require certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The path runs through five stages:

Earn a high school diploma or GED to qualify for a training program.
Complete an accredited program. As of February 2026, JRCERT accredits 710 radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry programs nationwide; Limited Scope courses are approved by ARRT instead.
Complete the required clinical hours, which every accredited program builds in.
Pass the matching ARRT exam. The primary application and examination fee for first-time Radiography applicants is $225, effective January 1, 2026.
Meet your state's licensing requirements, which often sit on top of ARRT certification.

To keep your certification active, you complete 24 continuing education credits every two years and follow ARRT's Standards of Ethics.

State licensing rules vary widely. The ARRT publishes state licensing resources covering each state's requirements. As examples for 2026: California requires the California Radiologic Technologist Certificate (CRT) through the Radiologic Health Branch, with separate permits for procedures like fluoroscopy; Texas issues a General Medical Radiologic Technologist certificate through the Texas Medical Board and requires a state Jurisprudence exam; and Florida certifies by examination or endorsement through the Florida Department of Health. If you are considering starting earlier, see how to become a radiology technician in high school.

Radiology Technician Salary and Job Outlook

Radiology technicians earn a median annual wage of $77,660, about $37.34 per hour, per BLS May 2024 data. The lowest 10% earn under $52,360, roughly where new graduates start, and the top 10% earn more than $106,990. California pays the highest average at about $103,150 per year.

The BLS projects 4% growth for radiologic technologists and technicians from 2024 to 2034, rising to 5% when combined with MRI technologists, with about 15,400 openings projected each year on average. Demand is reinforced by a documented staffing gap: the American Society of Radiologic Technologists reported medical imaging and radiation therapy vacancy rates ranging from 11.1% to 24.4% across U.S. regions. That level of interest shows up on Dreambound too: Dreambound's 2025 Student Choice and Interest Report ranks radiology technician as the #4 most-saved program with 1,126 saves, its first time in the top five.

Specialty credentials raise earning potential. MRI technologists earn a median of $88,180 per year, and nuclear medicine technologists, a separate but adjacent ARRT-recognized credential, earn a median of $97,020 (BLS, May 2024).

Compare radiology technician programs on Dreambound by city, format, length, and credential path to find the schools near you that fit your timeline and budget.

Compare Radiology Technician Training With Other Healthcare Programs

Weighing radiology technician training against another healthcare path? These side-by-side guides compare the two roles on training, certification, and pay:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a radiology technician in the United States?

You earn a high school diploma or GED, complete an accredited program (an ARRT-approved Limited Scope course or a JRCERT-accredited associate degree), pass the matching ARRT exam, and apply for any license your state requires. The full R.T.(R) path takes about 18 to 24 months; Limited Scope takes about 8 to 12.

How long is radiology technician school?

A Limited Scope X-ray Operator certificate takes about 8 to 12 months. A full ARRT Radiography R.T.(R) credential takes an 18-to-24-month JRCERT-accredited associate degree. Counting certification and licensing, most students on the full path reach working status in roughly 2 to 3 years.

Do you need a state license to work as a radiology technician?

In most states, yes. The majority require a state license in addition to ARRT certification, a few require a separate state exam, and a small number require no state license at all. A few states also do not recognize Limited Scope certification, so confirm your state's rules before you commit to a program.

Can a foreign-trained radiology professional work in the United States?

A radiologist is a physician and follows a separate medical licensing route. A foreign-educated radiologic technologist can work in the United States after completing an ARRT credential evaluation through its Foreign Educated Pathway, passing the ARRT exam, and meeting the licensing requirements of the state where they plan to work.

Choosing a Radiology Technician School Near You

If you are still deciding, start with the credential question rather than the map. Limited Scope gets you working faster in clinics and physician offices, while the full R.T.(R) opens hospitals and specialty roles like CT and MRI. The right answer depends on your timeline, budget, and where you want to work.

If you are comparing options, use the city and state lists above to see what is available where you live, then check each program against the four signals: accreditation match, clinical placement support, credential-path fit, and state recognition.

If you are ready to act, filter programs by format, length, and start date so you can line up an accredited school that matches the credential you want and the state where you plan to work.