Healthcare

How to become a CT Technologist

From radiologic technologist: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

6–12 months

Typical pay

$68k–$88k

Starting from

Radiologic technologist

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from radiologic technologist and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   2 years

   Qualify as a radiologic technologist

   CT is a post-primary certification and radiography is the usual way in.

   ◆ ARRT (Radiography)

   Get it from American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) →

2. 2

   3–6 months

   Cross-train on the CT scanner

   Often a few months alongside your x-ray shifts rather than a separate course.

3. 3

   during cross-training

   Document your procedure list

   Head, chest, abdomen and contrast studies, signed off by a supervising tech.

4. 4

   Certify in computed tomography

   Post-primary ARRT exam. It usually comes with a pay step on the same ward.

   ◆ ARRT (CT)

   Get it from American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) →

5. ✓

   Destination

   CT Technologist

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