Continuing Education for Radiology Technicians

It’s important to understand continuing education for radiology technicians if you’re planning on going into this field. Fifteen years ago a new requirement was put into place by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, requiring that any ARRT registered rad tech complete 24 hours of continuing education credits in order to keep their professional status. At least half (or all) of these credits must be Category A, which means the activities are approved by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism.

You may think continuing courses are just a waste of time, but it is important for radiologic technicians to have this kind of training throughout their careers to stay informed and on top of their game. With all the constant advances in modern medical technology and shifts in healthcare protocol, it should be easy to see why anyone working in this field would need to brush up on their skills and knowledge every couple of years or so. This continuing education requirement is one way of making sure that happens.

If you are registered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists you must comply with the continuing program requirements to renew your registration. The ARRT has been performing random registration renewal checks since 1997, and if you can’t prove that you’ve earned 24 continuing education credits in the last two years you’ll have to complete them ASAP. Otherwise, you will lose this important professional designation.

Earning Category A activity credits isn’t difficult, though, so if you’re worried about fulfilling your first required continuing education for radiology technicians you can rest easy. These are simply activities that have been approved and evaluated by a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism. It shouldn’t be any more difficult than the courses you took to get your degree and become a certified radiologic technician in the first place, and if you’ve been working in the field none of the coursework should be so unfamiliar that you can’t grasp it.

Continuing program requirements ensure that radiology technicians are prepared to continue working in this field and can handle the technologies of the moment. It’s a good thing.