Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Kentucky

This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Kentucky will help you find information you can use to compare schools and make an informed decision on the best school for you. Kentucky’s colleges and universities offer a range of programs in general radiologic technology as well as specialties like Computed Tomography (CT). You may also find that online radiologic technologist and technician schools offer comparable courses of study with additional benefits such as flexibility in attending classes and completing assignments and reduced travel times. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Find out more about your career options and radiologic technologist schools in Kentucky by reading below, where you will find a table of rad tech programs, student reviews, and more.

Quick Facts

• There are 14 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Kentucky.¹
• 5 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 11 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 3 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 1 school offers a master’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 13 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• 5 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).³
• No schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

Table of Contents

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

Kentucky Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Kentucky on a variety of factors. You should check with the Kentucky Board of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (KBMIRT) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

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

Select Schools in Kentucky with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Jefferson Community and Technical College

Jefferson Community and Technical College’s (JCTC) 21-month, full-time radiologic technology program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography. Successful applicants are notified in the spring, attend an orientation over the summer, and begin their studies the following fall. The program combines coursework with clinical studies and prepares students to meet the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam requirements. Radiography courses cover medical terminology, patient care, radiographic procedures, radiographic pathology, and radiation protection. Students will be assigned clinical rotations at medical facilities in the Louisville area, where they will work between one and four days each week. Admission into the program is selective. The program does not require a minimum GPA for admission, but preference may be given to students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and over 10 or more college credits. Graduates are prepared for entry-level clinical practice in radiography.

Morehead State University

Morehead State University (MSU) features an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Sciences that prepares students to sit for the ARRT certification exam. The full-time, two-year program requires students to fulfill general education and pre-radiological courses before beginning radiography coursework and clinical rotations. Admission to the program is based on an applicant’s GPA in pre-admission classes, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 required in all pre-radiologic sciences courses and a 2.0 GPA required overall. Clinical rotations and classes may take place during the day or in the evenings. Students will complete clinical rotations at two different facilities in the spring of their sophomore year and the fall of their junior year at one of the university’s affiliated medical facilities, which include Clark Regional Medical Center, Georgetown Community Hospital, Three Rivers Medical Center, and Pikeville Hospital. Students interested in continuing their education may apply for MSU’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Leadership in Medical Imaging.

Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) affords students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Science. The curriculum is divided into two phases. Phase 1 is taken in the first year and includes general education courses. Phase 2 encompasses the radiologic and clinical coursework and requires separate admission. Students will complete a full range of radiologic technology courses in addition to getting hands-on experience in the university’s radiographic laboratory. Labs allow students to get firsthand experience and prepare for their clinical rotations. Students are assigned clinical rotations at affiliated medical facilities, including St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Dearborn County Hospital in Indiana, Mercy Hospital Anderson, and the Jewish Hospital-Kenwood in nearby Cincinnati, Ohio. Admittance to the program is competitive, with approximately 24 students offered a spot each year. Applicants are admitted based on their GPA, grades in prerequisite courses, total credits earned, and relevant healthcare experience. Admitted students begin taking radiologic technology courses during the summer after their freshman year. NKU also offers a BS in Radiation Therapy.

Somerset Community College

Somerset Community College (SCC) offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography that can help students meet the education requirements for the ARRT exam within two years. Students in the 66-credit hour program will take a mixture of classroom and clinical courses. The curriculum requires six general education courses. Two courses, Human Anatomy & Physiology I and College Algebra Functions, must be taken before beginning the program. Applicants to the program must have an ACT score of 20 or above, a GPA of at least 3.0, an “A” in each prerequisite course on the first attempt, and residency in Kentucky. Once admitted, students will take radiographic courses such as Image Analysis; Pharmacology for Radiographers; and Patient Care and Ethics for Radiographers. SCC also offers certificates in Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for students seeking to expand to different disciplines.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Kentucky

The KBMIRT requires that any individual who operates radiation-emitting equipment in a medical setting be licensed. The KBMIRT grants a general radiation license in the categories of radiography, nuclear medicine (including nuclear medicine advanced associate), radiation therapy, and radiology assistant. Candidates for licensure must complete the following steps:

1. Complete an accredited educational program in a recognized discipline. Candidates for licensure must complete an educational program in their chosen discipline. The KBMIRT recognizes programs accredited by the JRCERT, the JRCNMT, or an accrediting agency recognized by the ARRT.
2. Complete a certification exam. Candidates who have completed the educational requirement may apply to take the ARRT or the NMTCB certification exams.
3. Apply to the KBMIRT for a license. Once a candidate is certified by either the ARRT or NMTCB, they must submit an application and all necessary documentation to the KBMIRT.
4. Renew your license and complete any continuing education. Rad tech licenses are renewed annually and require a renewal application, fee, and proof of continuing certification (CE) by either the ARRT or NMTCB. Every two years, licensees must complete 24 hours of CE.

A Limited X-ray Machine Operator (LXMO) license is also offered by the KBMIRT. This license allows holders to perform x-ray examinations of designated parts of the body under supervision. To pursue this license, candidates must first complete a KBMIRT-approved x-ray technology program. Candidates must also pass the Kentucky Limited Scope Exam. Qualified candidates may submit a completed application to the KBMIRT, and approved applicants will be granted a license.

Kentucky Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Predictions suggest that radiologic technologists and technicians in Kentucky will see job growth of 7.9% between 2020 and 2030.⁵ This is slower than the projected job growth of 8.6% for radiologic technologists and technicians nationwide for the same period.⁵ An average of 310 positions are expected to open in Kentucky each year through 2030, including vacancies due to both growth and replacements.⁵ As of 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that radiologic technologists and technicians earned an average annual wage of $60,300 in Kentucky.⁶ As of 2022, Kentucky had the highest concentration of jobs and highest location quotient in radiologic technologists and technicians for nonmetropolitan areas in the US, with radiologic technologists making up 3.09 of every 1,000 jobs.⁶ The BLS does not track occupational data for limited-scope x-ray technicians. However, limited-scope technicians typically earn less than fully-licensed radiologic technicians due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Lexington Diagnostic Center, LivingWell Radiology, University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare, Baptist Health, Georgetown Community Hospital, and Logan Memorial Hospital are among the medical facilities in Kentucky that hire radiologic technologists and technicians.

Kentucky Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

Student Reviews

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
600 College Street Rd
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
(270) 769-2371
https://elizabethtown.kctcs.edu/

Student Review: “The Radiography program at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College was always challenging, but the instructors were always extremely helpful and wanted nothing more than for you to succeed. I was always sent to diverse locations for my clinical rotations, which I feel greatly contributed to a well-rounded education and experience prior to graduation. The information given in the didactic portions of school were complete but concise. Information that was presented during lectures would often be put in formats that would be like questions on our registry boards. The instructors were extremely friendly and personable. They were always more than happy to come in early, stay late, or meet during off-hours to work with students if they were struggling with certain topics. Overall, I feel that the program at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College was more than adequate to prepare me for boards and for the career field post education.” -Student at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

Jefferson Community and Technical College
109 E Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 213-5333
https://jefferson.kctcs.edu/

Student Review: “I had a wonderful experience at the JCTCS Radiology program in Louisville, KY. I feel that it prepared me for my career in the field of Radiology. The program put me in clinicals that taught me the educational foundation that I needed to excel in my profession. It taught me what real life was like in the hospital and what my future held. I feel like the focus and dedication that I put into the program have paid off. I never felt lost or uneducated while out in the field. I would recommend JCTCS as a great place to receive your Radiology foundation. The staff was always willing to help you prepare for your future.” -Student at Jefferson Community and Technical College

Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College
700 College Rd
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-2145
https://southeast.kctcs.edu/

Student Review: “I attended Southeast KY Community and Technical College where I studied radiography. I had two incredible instructors who sincerely invested a lot into my education and personal life. They were never mean or hard to communicate with. All feedback on tests and exams was meant to help us grow in the field. The instructors were very personable and this made it easy to ask questions when necessary. They routinely asked us to stop by their offices if we needed to talk about life or needed help with the material. If our grades were slipping, they made a point to schedule an office visit to discuss what might be going on and how we could improve on the next test or evaluation. Our instructors made us feel like a family and made sure they taught us everything they knew about the science before unleashing us into the world of radiography.” -Student at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College

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