Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Arkansas

This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Arkansas will help you find the information you need to make an informed choice on where to attend school. There are a variety of radiologic technologist programs available in Arkansas from the certificate to the bachelor’s degree level that can help you reach your career goals. You may also consider online radiologic technologist and technician programs, which can offer avenues for independent study and can be more flexible than traditional on-campus classes. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Keep reading this page to learn more about career prospects for radiologic technologists in Arkansas, as well as a table of rad tech programs, profiles of select programs, and more.

Quick Facts

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

Table of Contents

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

Arkansas 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 Arkansas on a variety of factors. You should check with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

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

Select Schools in Arkansas with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Arkansas State University

Graduates of Arkansas State University’s (ASU) Bachelor of Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) program will be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam. BSRS students will begin by studying radiography in their junior year and move into a specialization during their senior year. Specializations offered include Cardiovascular Interventional Technology (CVI), Magnetic Resonance Imaging/Computed Tomography (MRI/CT), Mammography/Breast Sonography, Medical Imaging Informatics, Radiation Therapy, and Sonography. The curriculum has a mix of on-campus study at the ASU campus or online and clinical rotations at affiliates throughout northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri. Classes taken by all BSRS students include Image Acquisition and Evaluation; Radiobiology; and Imaging Pathology. Admission into the program requires the completion of prerequisite coursework, including an associate degree in radiography, with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. Acceptance into the senior specialization tracks may require a minimum GPA of 3.0. Students who have previously completed a radiography track may apply directly to a specialization track or ASU’s Bridge Program in General Radiography Imaging Specialist track.

East Arkansas Community College

East Arkansas Community College (EACC) offers a full-time, two-year program leading to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology. The 65-credit program offers classroom and clinical education that will meet the requirements to sit for the ARRT certification exam. Clinical education begins in the first semester and continues throughout the program. The curriculum covers subjects such as physics for radiologic technology, radiologic pathology, and imaging procedures. The application deadline for the program is in May with successful applicants beginning the program in the fall semester. As part of the application process, all applicants must spend four hours observing a radiologic department. To be considered for admission, applicants must also complete prerequisite courses, pass the entrance exam, and have a GPA of at least 2.8 prior to the application deadline. Upon acceptance to the program, students must become CPR certified, submit to a drug screen and background check, show proof of health insurance, and show proof of all required vaccinations. Retention in the program requires a “C” or better in all required classes and a satisfactory clinical performance review. Students may repeat one class before dismissal from the program.

North Arkansas College

North Arkansas College (Northark) confers the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology to students who successfully complete the full-time, two-year program. Students must complete between 24 and 26 general education credits as a part of the 72 to 74 credit curriculum. Radiologic technology coursework includes Radiographic Imaging, Radiation Protection, and Special Procedures. Clinical rotations begin on two days a week during the first semester of the program, increase to four days a week during the summer semester, and to three days a week in year two. Students will gain clinical experience in a variety of areas, such as surgery, the emergency room, mammography, ultrasound, and bone density. Applicants must first be admitted to Northark before applying to the program, with successful applicants beginning in the fall semester. Students applying for the program must complete prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 before and during the program.

University of Arkansas Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas Fort Smith (UAFS) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography designed to help students gain the technical and professional skills necessary for entry-level radiographer positions. Admission to the five-semester program is selective. Applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 in all college coursework, complete all prerequisites with “C” or better, and complete the Psychological Services Bureau (PSB) Health Occupations Aptitude Exam. Once enrolled, students will take a combination of didactic courses and clinical rotations beginning in the first semester. Clinical rotations will be held at affiliated medical facilities such as Baptist Health Fort Smith, Johnson Regional Medical Center, and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Classes are held at the UAFS campus and include Imaging Equipment, Medical Terminology, and Radiation Physics. Clinical and didactic obligations are scheduled Monday through Friday and not for more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Arkansas

Radiologic technologists in Arkansas are licensed by the ADH Radiologic Technology Licensure Program. Licenses are available to Radiologic Technologists (RT), Nuclear Medical Technologists (NMT), and Radiation Therapists (RTh). There is also a Limited Specialty License (LSL) for invasive cardiovascular imaging procedures which requires credentialing through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS). The requirements for licensure vary by specialty but generally involve the following steps:

1. Complete an accredited educational program in your specialty. Candidates for licensure must graduate from an accredited program that meets the requirements to take either the ARRT or Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) certification exams. The ARRT requires candidates to obtain an associate’s degree or higher to sit for the exam.
2. Take and pass a professional credentialing exam. The ADH requires all candidates to complete either the ARRT certification exam or, for NMTs, the NMTCB certification exam.
3. Apply to the ADH for a license. Candidates who have met the qualifications must submit an application and any necessary forms and fees to the ADH.
4. Complete the continuing education requirements and renew your license. Licensees must complete at least six hours of continuing education (CE) every year, at least three of which must be in radiologic technology. Licenses are renewed annually. Maintaining professional credentials with the ARRT of NMTB requires 24 hours of CE every two years.

The ADH also offers Limited Licensed Technologist (LLT) licenses for x-ray operators. LLTs may only x-ray certain parts of the body, typically limited to the extremities and certain parts of the skeletal system. Prospective LLTs must pass the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography Exam and apply to the ADH for a license.

Arkansas Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Radiologic technologist and technician employment in Arkansas is projected to increase 6.5% between 2020 and 2030. This is somewhat lower than the national projection of 8.6% job growth for rad techs in the US during the same time period.⁵ 160 average annual openings for rad techs are expected in the state each year through 2030.⁵ The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of 2022, the 2,380 radiologic techs in Arkansas earned an average annual salary of $55,180.⁵ The BLS does not track occupational data for limited-scope x-ray technicians. However, limited-scope technicians typically earn less than fully-licensed radiologic technologists due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Technologists and technicians may be able to find employment opportunities in hospitals, physicians’ offices, imaging centers, and other clinical settings.⁶ Baptist Health, Arkansas Heart Hospital, and Northwest Medical Center are among the medical centers that hire rad techs in Arkansas. Imaging centers in the state that employ rad techs include Arkansas Medical Imaging and Open MRI, Mercy Imaging Services, and Prime Medical Imaging.

Arkansas 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