Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Arizona

This overview of radiologic technologist and technician schools in Arizona that will provide you with key facts to inform your decision on where to go to school. The universities and colleges in Arizona offer a variety of programs for earning a certificate or degree in radiologic technology to support your career goals. Online radiologic technologist and technician schools can also be a suitable match for some students and can make it easier to balance commitments outside of school compared to traditional on-campus course scheduling. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Continue reading this page, which includes a table of rad tech programs and profiles of accredited radiologic technology programs in Arizona to help you learn more about where a degree or certificate in radiologic technology can take your career.

Quick Facts

• There are 7 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Arizona.¹
• 3 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 7 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 1 school offers a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.¹
• 6 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• 1 school has medical imaging programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).³
• 1 school has medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

Table of Contents

• Arizona Medical Imaging Schools Comparison
• Select Schools in Arizona with RT Programs
• How to Become an RT in Arizona
• Arizona RT Salary and Job Outlook

Arizona Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare all the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Texas on a variety of factors. You should check with the Arizona Department of Health Sciences Bureau of Special Licensing (AZBLS) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Select Schools in Arizona with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Arizona Western College

Arizona Western College’s (AWC) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology typically admits 20 students per cohort, who begin the program during the summer semester. To be considered for admission, applicants must complete prerequisite courses and entrance testing as well as an in-person presentation designed to assess communication skills. The six-semester, year-round, full-time program begins with an orientation course in the summer to prepare students for their first clinical rotation in the fall. Clinical rotations start at 12 hours a week during the first semester of the program and can increase to a maximum of 40 hours a week by the end of the program. During clinical rotations, students will be required to work evenings and weekends to ensure they are exposed to a wide range of routine and emergency situations.

Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College’s (CAC) highly competitive Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology program follows a cohort format and takes two academic years to complete. Students take a total of 23 credits of general education and 55 credits in the radiologic technology core. Graduates of the program will be prepared for entry-level employment and will be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. Students will be required to complete intensive on-site clinical rotations in addition to coursework. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an information session, which will earn them points in the admissions process, and to complete as many of the general education requirements as possible prior to applying for the program to increase their chances of acceptance. Applications are accepted from May 1 to June 30, with accepted applicants beginning the program the following January.

Pima Community College

Pima Community College (PCC) features an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) of Radiologic Technology that prepares students to sit for the ARRT certification exam and to secure entry-level employment as a radiologic technologist. Prior to applying for the program, applicants must complete a series of prerequisites in medical terms, algebra, and anatomy and physiology. Students will complete coursework on campus, focusing on medical imaging and radiographic positions, in addition to completing intense clinical rotations at local medical facilities and hospitals. Clinical work, which generally takes place weekdays during the week, totals a minimum of 1,800 hours in compliance with the rules set by the Arizona Department of Health Sciences Bureau of Special Licensing (AZBLS).

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Arizona

The state of Arizona requires radiologic technologists and technicians to apply for licensure through the Arizona Department of Health Services Bureau of Special Licensing (AZBLS). Licenses recognized in the state include Certified Mammographic Technologist (CMT), Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT), Certified Radiation Therapy Technologist (CTT), Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT), Certified Radiologist Assistant (CRA), and Certified Technologist in Computed Tomography (CTCT). The process may vary according to an individual’s background and practice area, but in general, applicants for a Medical Radiologic Technology (MRT) license will follow these steps:

1. Earn a certificate, diploma, or degree in your practice modality. The AZBLS requires MRT applicants to hold at least a certificate in their desired practice area. For most applicants, the program must be from an approved school.
2. Pass the associated practice exam. Applicants for MRT licensing generally must pass a recognized exam in their primary practice area, such as those offered by the ARRT or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).
3. Apply for a license. The AZBLS provides detailed application packets for each radiologic modality on its website, along with detailed instructions and requirements.
4. Receive your license. Applicants may not practice radiologic technology in the state until the Board has issued MRT certification.
5. Maintain your MRT certification. To maintain licensure in Arizona, radiology techs must typically complete 24 credit hours of continuing education every two years. Radiology techs may also sit the exam for ARRT certification. ARRT-certified radiology techs will complete 24 continuing education credits every two years prior to renewing their certification.

Arizona also offers a limited scope x-ray technician license, the Certified Practical Technologist in Radiology (CPTR). CPTRs may only take x-rays of select areas of the body and must always work under the direct supervision of an authorized medical professional. To qualify as a CPTR, candidates must take an x-ray technician program that has been approved by the AZBLS, pass the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography Exam, and submit a completed application for licensure to the department.

Arizona Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Employment projections for radiologic technologists and technicians in Arizona look favorable with a projected 40% job growth rate between 2020 and 2030, which is much higher than the national projected average of 8.6% growth during the same time period.⁵ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 3,920 rad techs worked in Arizona as of 2022.⁶ The average annual salary for radiologic technologists in Arizona is $71,770.⁶ The BLS does not track data for x-ray technicians; however, x-ray technicians typically make less than radiologic technologists due to the lowered education requirements and scope of responsibility. Radiologic technologists and technicians typically find employment in hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, and doctors’ offices. Major employers who hire radiology techs in Arizona include the University of Arizona Medical Center, Mayo Clinic-Phoenix, the Department of Veterans Affairs, HonorHealth, and NextCare Urgent Care.

Arizona Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Program Effectiveness Data: https://www.jrcert.org/program-effectiveness-data/
3. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program
4. Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: https://www.jrcnmt.org/programs/
5. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm