Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in New Mexico
There are several programs to choose from to earn a degree in radiologic technology in New Mexico. This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in New Mexico provides key information that can help you start a career in this field. Online radiologic technologist schools can be an alternative to traditional on-campus programs for students seeking greater flexibility and less time commuting to courses. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians on our Careers page. Continue learning about radiologic technologist and technician schools in New Mexico with our table of rad tech programs, student reviews, profiles of select programs, salary and employment projections, and more below.
Quick Facts
- There are 4 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in New Mexico.1
- 3 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.1
- 3 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
- 3 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).2
- 2 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).3
- 1 school has a medical imaging program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).4
- New Mexico Medical Imaging Schools Comparison
- Select Schools in New Mexico with RT Programs
- How to Become an RT in New Mexico
- New Mexico RT Salary and Job Outlook
- New Mexico RT Career Interview
- Student Reviews
Table of Contents
New Mexico 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 New Mexico on a variety of factors. You should check with the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) Radiation Control Bureau (RCB) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.
| School Name | Associate’s Imaging Program | Bachelor’s Imaging Program | Graduate Imaging Program | National Accreditation | Completion Rate2 | Credential Exam Pass Rate2 | Job Placement Rate2 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College | Yes | — | — | JRCERT, CAAHEP | 88% | 93% | 86% | $4,742 |
| Clovis Community College | Yes | — | — | JRCERT | 62% | 88% | 94% | $5,034 |
| Doña Ana Community College | Yes | — | — | JRCERT, CAAHEP | 88% | 90% | 100% | $5,518 |
| University of New Mexico-Main Campus | — | Yes | — | JRCNMT | — | — | — | $10,633 |
- — indicates none.
- N.Av. indicates no data available.
Select Schools in New Mexico with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs
Central New Mexico Community College
Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology that prepares students to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. Admission to the five-semester program requires a minimum GPA of 2.75, a sufficient score on either the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) or the Health Education Systems Incorporates (HESI) A2 exam, and a grade of “C” or higher in all prerequisite classes. The curriculum includes a mixture of didactic coursework and clinical experience. Clinical rotations begin in the second semester of the program at CNM’s clinical affiliates, such as Duke City Urgent Care, Christus St. Vincent, or Lovelace Medical Center. Didactic courses include Biomedical Ethics, Radiographic Imaging, Patient Care for Radiography, and a Radiologic Technology Capstone that is meant to help prepare students for jobs as rad techs and the ARRT exam. Students accepted into the program will undergo a criminal background check and drug screen. CNM also offers an AAS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Clovis Community College
Students at Clovis Community College (CCC) can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. Applicants to the five-semester program must finish or be enrolled in all prerequisite and general education courses before applying for the program and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The curriculum consists of 86 credit hours and includes the following courses: Fundamentals of Radiography, Radiographic Positioning, Patient Care, Radiobiology/Radiation Protection, and Radiographic Pathology. In addition, students are expected to complete five semesters of clinical education (one for each semester of study) at affiliated clinical facilities such as Guadalupe County Hospital, Clovis Family Healthcare, and Plains Memorial Hospital. Clinical shifts take place during the day with two days per week during the first year of the program. This increases to three days per week with the possibility of evening shifts in the final two semesters. Upon graduation from the program, students are qualified to sit for the ARRT exam and work in entry-level positions as radiologic technologists.
Doña Ana Community College
New Mexico State University’s Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is a two-year educational institution that offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. Students in the program complete a sequential radiologic science curriculum including courses such as Radiographic Positioning; Special Radiologic Modalities; Radiographic Pathology; Radiation Biology and Protection; and Radiographic Image Critique. Along with classroom instruction, students participate in clinical rotations and laboratory classes to learn proper patient positioning and hands-on skills. In the first year of the program, students attend clinical rotations one day per week for three-and-a-half hours per shift. Students in the second year spend 32 hours per week in clinical rotations and may be required to work some evening or weekend shifts. The program is selective and accepts a maximum of 24 students each year in a competitive process based on factors such as GPA, TEAS scores, and grades in individual prerequisite and general education classes.
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Medicine offers a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) Medical Imaging degree completion program designed for students who are registered radiologic technologists and nuclear medicine technologists seeking to further their education. The degree completion program requires students to reach a total of 123 credit hours between transfer credits and UNM courses and includes some general education requirements in addition to the radiologic technology classes. Students in the Medical Imaging program may choose to pursue additional certifications in Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), both of which offer some program elements online. Certification programs will require both didactic and clinical education. The Medical Imaging curriculum includes courses such as Human Cross-Sectional Anatomy; Medical Imaging Pathology Biology for Health Sciences; and Healthcare Delivery and Compliance. Applicants to the BSRS in Medical Imaging must be ARRT certified and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher in previous coursework. The BSRS also offers a concentration in Nuclear Medicine for applicants interested in a full four-year degree plan.
How to Become a Radiology Technologist in New Mexico
The RCB’s Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Program (MIRTP) grants licenses to radiologic technologists and radiation therapists in New Mexico. The RCB requires that all candidates for licensure first be certified by a credentialing organization. For radiologic technologists, ARRT certification is recognized as the necessary professional credential. The steps for earning ARRT certification and licensure in New Mexico are as follows:
- Complete an educational program in your chosen discipline. The ARRT requires that all candidates for certification first complete an educational program in their chosen radiologic discipline and an associate’s degree. These do not have to be, but may be, the same program.
- Take and pass the ARRT exam. Candidates must apply for and pass the ARRT exam in their discipline. A score of 75 or higher is required to pass an ARRT exam.
- Apply for a license. Once certified, candidates must submit an application, any applicable fees, and proof of their professional credentials to the MIRTP.
- Maintain your certification and license. Licenses must be renewed every two years. Licensees are required to maintain a professional credential to meet the continuing education (CE) requirement. The ARRT requires renewal annually and 24 hours of CE every two years.
The RCB also offers a Limited Radiography (LR) permit. This permit allows limited scope x-ray technicians to take x-rays of select parts of the body under supervision. Prospective LRs must complete an acceptable education program and apply to the RCB for permission to take the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam. Once permission has been granted and the exam has been passed, an LR permit can be issued.
New Mexico Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook
Projected Job Growth
13.3%
Radiology Techs in New Mexico from 2020-20305
Radiologic technologist and technician employment in New Mexico is projected to increase 13.3% in the decade ending in 2030, faster than the national average estimate for rad tech job growth of 8.6% during the same time period.5 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2022, about 1,250 radiologic techs were employed in New Mexico, earning an average annual salary of $66,480.6 Although the BLS does not track occupational data for x-ray technicians, technicians typically earn less than RTs due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Graduates of radiologic technology programs in New Mexico may find employment at medical centers such as the University of New Mexico Hospital, Heart Hospital of New Mexico, or Presbyterian Hospital. Radiologic technologists and technicians in New Mexico may also find employment opportunities at private radiology and imaging centers such as Los Alamos Medical Center, Lovelace Sandia Health System, Santa Fe Imaging, and X-Ray Associates of New Mexico.
New Mexico Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area
| City | Number Employed7 | Average Annual Salary7 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | 700 | $67,800 |
| Las Cruces | 110 | $61,390 |
| Santa Fe | 80 | $69,930 |
New Mexico Radiologic Technologist Career Interview
- Chandra Gerrard, Past Vice President, New Mexico Society of Radiologic Technologists
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.
Doña Ana Community College, New Mexico State University
3400 Espina St
Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 527-7500
https://dacc.nmsu.edu/
Student Review: “The Doña Ana Community College Radiologic Technology program was fast-paced, but enjoyable. The labs helped to reinforce what we learned in the classroom, and the clinical sites were for the most part very helpful. During the first year the program is mainly classroom and labs, and the second year is when most clinical hours are completed. Our program even paid for us to attend the NMSRT conference both years. My main complaint would be the lack of flexibility in clinical hours, which made this program a challenge to complete while still working while going to school. I would definitely recommend this program to someone interested in this field, but be aware that if you are working while going to school it will be difficult.” – Student at Doña Ana Community 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