Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in West Virginia

The colleges and universities in West Virginia offer an array of radiologic technology programs from the certificate to the bachelor’s degree level. This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in West Virginia will provide you with information to help you understand and compare your options. As an alternative to on-campus programs, some students find online radiologic technologist programs to be a better match to their needs. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Discover further information about careers in radiologic technology, employment and salary projections for rad techs, a table of rad tech programs and profiles of radiologic technologist and technician schools in West Virginia by reading below.

Quick Facts

• There are 9 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in West Virginia.¹
• 2 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 8 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 3 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.¹
• 5 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

Table of Contents

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

West Virginia 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 West Virginia on a variety of factors. You should check with the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners (the Board) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

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

Select Schools in West Virginia with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Bluefield State College

Bluefield State College offers a two-year Associate of Science (AS) in Radiologic Technology that meets the educational requirements to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and qualify for licensure in West Virginia. To be considered for admission, students must complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher. The curriculum is split between classroom and clinical study, beginning in the first semester. Classroom-based courses are conducted at either the Bluefield main campus or at the Erma Byrd Higher Education Center in Beaver and include Medical Terminology for Imaging Professionals; Imaging Equipment and Acquisition; and Integration of Radiographic Principles. To graduate from the program, students must receive a “C” or higher in all required courses. Registered technologists with a certificate who are seeking an associate’s degree may pursue the AS in Radiologic Technology by taking 23 credits of general education courses. Bluefield also offers an online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Imaging Science with concentrations in Computed Tomography, Nuclear Medicine, and Sonography.

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College

Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College (SWVCTC) awards the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology to students who successfully complete the two-year, full-time program. The 60-credit program requires a mixture of classroom and clinical education and meets the educational requirements to sit for the ARRT certification exam. Classroom study covers topics such as radiation protection, healthcare ethics, and computed tomography. Students work at affiliated hospitals and medical facilities each semester of the program, including the summer between the first and second years, which requires 40 hours of work each week. Students are required to maintain CPR certification to participate in clinical rotations. During their second year, all students in the program must become members of the West Virginia Society of Radiologic Technologists (WVSRT) and participate in the organization’s annual conference. Participation includes submitting a research paper/exhibit or serving on the board of directors. Applicants to the program are required to complete a job shadowing experience as part of the admissions process.

University of Charleston

The University of Charleston (UC) offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Radiologic Sciences program that students may apply for during their freshman year. Applicants to the program must have completed at least 34 credits of Radiologic Science courses and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7. Acceptance into the BS program is based on a point system, with points awarded based on GPA, courses completed, and any previous degrees. Students in the program will spend between 25 and 38 hours per week in class or clinical rotations. Clinical rotations are scheduled on weekdays during the day or evening at a variety of medical facilities, including trauma centers, cardiac centers, and pediatric hospitals. The 122-credit hour degree requires 69 credits of radiologic coursework, including Radiation Physics, Osteology, and Radiation Biology. To graduate, students must pass a comprehensive final exam with a score of 85% or higher. Students who hold an associate’s degree and are ARRT-certified may apply for the accelerated ASRT to BSRT concentration.

West Virginia Northern Community College

West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) features a full-time, two-year radiologic technology program leading to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. The 61-credit program blends on-campus coursework with clinical rotations at local hospitals and medical facilities. The Radiologic Technology curriculum includes classes in Radiography, Advanced Imaging Modalities, and Radiography Procedures. Students begin their first clinical rotation during the second semester of the program and are required to complete clinical work each semester thereafter, including the summer between the first and second year. Graduation from the program requires students to receive a “C” or better in all program coursework and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. Applicants to the program must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher and sufficient scores on the ACT or SAT.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in West Virginia

In West Virginia, radiologic technologists must receive a license from the Board. Licensed rad techs may work in radiography, computed tomography, bone densitometry, mammography, and vascular and cardiac interventional radiography. Additional licensing is required to work in nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Licensing is not required to work in ultrasound. Radiologic technologists seeking a license must complete the following steps:

1. Complete an accredited educational program in a recognized modality. The Board requires candidates to complete an educational program in radiologic technology that meets the standards of accrediting agencies such as the JRCERT, JRCNMT, or the CAAHEP, or are deemed equivalent by the Board. Candidates seeking ARRT certification must complete an associate degree or higher.
2. Pass a Board-approved exam. Candidates for licensure must take and pass a professional examination that has been approved by the Board. The Board accepts exams from the ARRT and the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB).
3. Apply for a license. Candidates must submit proof of completing an approved educational program and proof of passing an approved exam, along with an application and all necessary fees to the Board. Applications usually take about 30 days to process.
4. Renew your license and complete any continuing education. Licenses must be renewed annually. Rad techs must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years.

West Virginia Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Projections Central reports expected job growth of 13.9% for radiologic technologists and technicians in West Virginia between 2020 and 2030, which is above the projected national rate of job growth for rad techs of 8.6% during the same time period.⁵According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2022, an estimated 1,670 radiologic technologist and technician positions existed in West Virginia.⁶ As of 2022, the average annual salary for radiologic technologists in West Virginia was $61,330.⁶ The BLS reports that West Virginia had the highest concentration of rad techs of any state in the country in 2022, with rad techs making up 2.46 of every 1,000 jobs.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. Radiologic technologists commonly find positions in hospitals, doctors’ offices, imaging centers, universities, and government agencies. Organizations that hire radiologic technologists and technicians in West Virginia include CAMC Imaging Centers, St. Mary’s Medical Center, and West Virginia University Medicine.

West Virginia 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