Healthcare

How to become an MRI Technologist

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

Time to get there

1–2 years

Typical pay

$72k–$95k

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 first

   MRI is a post-primary pathway: you need ARRT radiography before you can certify in it.

   ◆ ARRT (Radiography)

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

2. 2

   6–12 months

   Move into an MRI department

   Cross-train where you already work — hospitals fund this far more often than they advertise.

3. 3

   during cross-training

   Log the required clinical procedures

   ARRT sets a documented procedure list before it will let you sit the exam.

4. 4

   Certify in MRI

   Post-primary ARRT exam in magnetic resonance imaging.

   ◆ ARRT (MRI)

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

5. ✓

   Destination

   MRI Technologist

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