Radiologic Technologist School Information – Minnesota

In Minnesota, having national certification indicates a higher status than just having state licensing. You can be licensed as an X-ray Operator if you pass the Limited Scope X-ray Operator Exam. If you want national certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, though, you’ll need to meet a more rigorous set of educational requirements; ultimately, you’ll need to pass a more prestigious exam.

Find radiology technician programs and radiologic technologist programs in Minnesota.

This is the level of credentialing that many employers seek. If you do a job search on a site like Indeed.com, you’ll find employers asking for ARRT certification (or a willingness to achieve certification within a specified time frame).

This is not to say that you won’t find a position with the lower licensing; you will see some positions with titles like x-ray operator or Rad Support.

If you do decide to go for the limited license, you will find a list of approved short programs on the board site. These courses should provide adequate preparation for the limited scope exam. You can opt for the bone density exam or the exam that covers chest, skull/ sinuses, feet, extremities, and spine. This exam has multiple sections: a core plus additional modules which cover different parts of the body. As long as you pass the core and some of the modules, you are allowed to perform x-rays in the areas you have passed.

Radiologic Technologist Certification in Minnesota

And if you decide to pursue certification? Programs at this level can be competitive. Before enrolling in a program, you will want to make sure that it meets the ARRT’s standards and that it will qualify you to sit for the examination. It should hold program-level accreditation through JCERT and/ or school-level accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency. It must prepare you to meet ARRT clinical standards. The ARRT does not automatically consider you qualified just because your school has a particular accreditation; your program director will need to sign that you have performed all the required clinical procedures.

Unless you already have a degree at the associate’s level or higher, you should enroll in a degree-granting program. The ARRT currently certifies technologists who have diplomas or certificates in radiology technology; beginning in 2015, though, candidates will be required to hold degrees. Many Minnesota employers are ahead of the game. Some specify, in job ads, that applicants should have two-year degrees.

You will find a list of programs on the site of the Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists. You can also do a search using the ARRT or JCERT site.

As you near program completion, you will submit application materials to the ARRT. Your program director will sign the necessary paperwork. You will demonstrate that you meet the ARRT’s ethics requirements. (If you are unsure, you may want to do a pre-screening before enrolling in a program.)

You will schedule your own exam through Pearson VUE. You will need to wait until you have received your candidate status report before doing so.

Radiologic Technologist Career Outlook in Minnesota

Minnesota’s radiology technology profession has been projected to grow 24% between 2008 and 2018. This translates into about 180 job openings a year.

Minnesota radiology technologists saw an average $58,720 during 2011. In Rochester, the average was much higher: $69,100. Rochester is, of course, home to the Mayo Clinic. Positions at premier hospitals can be more competitive but also more lucrative.

Contact Information for Radiologic Technologist Professional Organizations in Minnesota

  • Licensing Agency: Minnesota Department of Health X-ray Operator Licensing

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  • Professional Organization: Minnesota Society of Radiologic Technologists

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