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Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Florida

    The colleges and universities in Florida offer a broad array of programs for earning a degree or certificate in radiologic technology, including programs that can help you earn certifications in specialties like radiotherapy and fluoroscopy. This guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Florida will help you understand your options and compare schools to find the right match for you. You can also consider online schools, which some students find to be a better match to their needs over traditional on-campus study. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Continue learning about radiologic technologist and technician schools in Florida below, where you will find a table of rad tech programs and student reviews.

    Quick Facts

    • There are 31 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Florida.1
    • 13 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.1
    • 29 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.1
    • 4 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.1
    • 1 school offers a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.1
    • 23 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).2
    • 13 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).3
    • 5 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).4

    Table of Contents

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

    School NameAssociate’s Imaging ProgramBachelor’s Imaging ProgramGraduate Imaging ProgramNational AccreditationCompletion Rate2Credential Exam Pass Rate2Job Placement Rate2Net Price1
    AdventHealth UniversityYesYesJRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT79%91%100%$27,329
    Bethesda College of Health SciencesYesJRCERT100%80%100%N.Av.
    Broward CollegeYesJRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT91%90%94%$15,252
    Cambridge College of Healthcare & TechnologyYesCAAHEP$19,071
    College of Central FloridaYesJRCERT94%$7,865
    Daytona State CollegeYesJRCERT92%$5,674
    Eastern Florida State CollegeYesYesJRCERT, CAAHEP76%92%100%$5,927
    Florida SouthWestern State CollegeYesJRCERT96%98%99%$7,792
    Florida State College at JacksonvilleYes$2,341
    Gulf Coast State CollegeYesJRCERT93%87%100%$5,725
    Herzing University-OrlandoYes$22,237
    Hillsborough Community CollegeYesJRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT84%91%100%$3,628
    Indian River State CollegeYesJRCERT76%97%100%$5,019
    Marion Technical CollegeYesJRCERT91%94%100%$4,922
    Miami Dade CollegeYesJRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT87%82%95%$5,478
    Northwest Florida State CollegeYesJRCERT82%96%97%$7,082
    Nova Southeastern UniversityYesYesCAAHEP$29,589
    Palm Beach State CollegeYesJRCERT, CAAHEP74%93%99%$10,549
    Pasco-Hernando State CollegeYes$3,919
    Pensacola State CollegeYesJRCERT89%89%100%$3,305
    Polk State CollegeYesJRCERT, CAAHEP80%92%100%$9,588
    Saint Johns River State CollegeYesJRCERT100%93%100%$6,187
    Santa Fe CollegeYesJRCERT, CAAHEP, JRCNMT90%97%93%$11,380
    Southeastern CollegeYesCAAHEP$30,989
    South Florida State CollegeYesJRCERT90%77%100%$2,579
    Southern Technical CollegeYesCAAHEP$20,733
    St. Petersburg CollegeYesJRCERT68%97%97%$2,132
    State College of Florida-Manatee-SarasotaYesJRCERT50%98%100%$13,451
    Tallahassee Community CollegeYes$3,138
    University of Florida Health Jacksonville (Certificate Only)JRCERT58%83%100%N.Av.
    Valencia CollegeYesYesJRCERT, CAAHEP88%100%90%$10,482

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

    Florida Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

    Hillsborough Community College

    Graduates of Hillsborough Community College’s (HCCFL) 22-month Associate in Science (AS) degree in Radiography will be eligible to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and apply for licensure in the state of Florida. The school boasts a high pass rate for graduates who have taken the ARRT certification exam over the past five years. Students will complete such radiologic technology coursework as Special Radiographic Procedures, Radiographic Positioning, and Radiographic Exposure in addition to doing lab work on campus and in clinical rotations at local medical facilities. Clinical rotations require students to work for 24 hours a week. The radiography program is extremely competitive, with 20 students accepted out of an average of 100 applicants each year. Applicants are required to complete all prerequisite courses prior to applying for the radiography program, and the GPA from those courses is heavily considered in determining who will be offered a seat in the program. Classes begin in August of every year.

    South Florida State College

    South Florida State College (South Florida State) offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography for students who want to pursue careers as radiologic technologists. Graduates of the 77-credit, two-year program will be eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam and pursue licensure in the state of Florida. Admitted radiologic technology students will complete clinical rotations each semester. Students of the program are encouraged to join the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), which allows for additional networking and educational opportunities. Prospective students may apply for the program between the second week in January and the second Friday in April. All applicants must complete three prerequisite courses before applying for admission, and admission standing is based on students’ grades in these courses: Anatomy & Physiology, Freshman English, and College Algebra.

    Tallahassee Community College

    Students who successfully complete the radiologic technology program at Tallahassee Community College (TCC) will earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology and will be eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam. The two-year program requires students to complete radiographic positioning, radiographic pathology, radiation biology, and radiation physics coursework in addition to clinical education at a local medical facility. Clinical rotations are required each semester of the program. Successful applicants to the competitive program begin their studies in the spring semester. All applicants must pass, with a minimum 75% score, the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) A2 exam, an entrance exam to assess academic readiness in math, grammar, reading, and vocabulary.

    University of Florida Health

    The University of Florida Health Jacksonville (UF Health Jacksonville) offers a Certificate of Completion in Radiologic Technology program. The 23-month program is accredited by JRCERT and requires a commitment of at least 40 hours per week from its students, in addition to six to eight hours per week for homework and projects. Only eight to 10 new students are accepted each year for the program start date in January. Admission is competitive and is based on a variety of factors, including prerequisite courses and an essay and interview. To be considered for the program, applicants must typically have already completed an associate degree or higher.

    How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Florida

    Florida requires radiologic technologists and technicians to be certified by the Department of Health’s (Florida Health) Council on Radiation Protection to work in the state. Florida Health offers licensure as a Certified Radiologic Technologist. The basic process includes the following steps:

    1. Earn a diploma, certificate, or degree in radiography, radiation therapy, or another modality. When applying for a Certified Radiologic Technologist license, you must choose your specific modality and meet the appropriate education qualifications for that modality.
    2. Pass the ARRT or JRCNMT exam. For certification in most modalities, Florida Health recognizes the associated ARRT exam; however, prospective nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs) must have passed the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) exam.
    3. Submit an application. Florida Health encourages applicants to use its online licensing portal, though paper copies of the required forms are also provided on its website.
    4. Receive your license. Online applications that include all required documentation are typically processed within 13 business days, though paper license applications may take longer.
    5. Pursue ARRT certification, if desired. Certification by the ARRT is a separate process from the licensure exam, which can add to your professional credentials. Read more about voluntary credentialing here.
    6. Complete continuing education. Florida radiologic technologists are required to complete continuing education to maintain their licenses. This typically includes 12 hours of general professional education and one hour in HIV/AIDs education per renewal period.

    Florida Health also offers limited-scope x-ray licensure for Basic X-Ray Machine Operators (BXMO). Before applying for a BXMO license, you should have completed a formal certificate or diploma program in limited scope radiography or the equivalent and be ready to take the ARRT exam in Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography. Once your application is approved, you will be scheduled for the ARRT exam. You must receive a passing score on this exam to be issued a BXMO license.

    Florida Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

    Projected Job Growth

    16.2%

    Radiology Techs in Florida from 2020-20305

    Estimates predict healthy job growth of approximately 16.2% for radiology techs in Florida between 2020 and 2030, which is above the nationwide estimates of 8.6% job growth for radiologic technologists and technicians during the same time period.5 There were 14,740 radiologic technologist and technician positions in Florida in 2022, with that number expected to rise to 17,130 by 2030.5,6 The mean annual wage for radiologic techs in Florida, who typically hold an associate’s degree, was $62,270 in 2022.6 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Florida has the third-highest number of employed radiologic techs of any state in the US.6 Although the BLS does not provide employment data for limited-scope x-ray technicians, technicians typically earn less than radiologic technologists due to the lower educational requirements and scope of responsibility. Radiologic technologists and technicians generally secure employment in hospitals, physicians’ offices, imaging centers, and other medical facilities in Florida, such as AdventHealth, Jupiter Medical Center, the University of Central Florida Lake Nona Hospital, MedExpress, Holy Cross Health, and HCA Florida Healthcare. Estimates are based on national data, not school-specific information; data accessed in July 2023.

    Florida Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

    CityNumber Employed7Average Annual Salary7
    Cape Coral-Fort Myers470$64,750
    Gainesville430$63,160
    Jacksonville1,230$61,600
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach3,600$63,930
    Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford2,120$60,510
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater2,020$65,310

    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.

    Broward College
    4205 Bonaventure Blvd
    Weston, FL 33332
    (954) 201-8501
    https://www.broward.edu/

    Student Review: “This is a great program over here at Broward college. This is a very professional school and the staff is very helpful and courteous. The program director is Dr. A, and she is very knowledgeable about the subject of radiation therapy. She teaches most of the classes associated with the program, so there is a great level of continuity in the program. The classes are tough, but you learn a lot and there is help with tutoring available on campus should you need it. All in all, this is an excellent program that more than prepares you for the field of radiation therapy.” -Student at Broward College
    stars-4

    Eastern Florida State College
    3865 N Wickham Rd
    Melbourne, FL 32935
    (321) 632-1111
    https://www.easternflorida.edu/

    Student Review: “Attending the Radiography program at Eastern Florida State College was one of my best decisions. This was an excellent field of study that really opened the door to my healthcare career. After completing my required clinical work, I was allowed to explore other related fields such as mammography, MRI, CT, and Radiation Therapy. The teachers were very easygoing and explained all the information clearly in class. They gave lots of real-world examples and allowed us ample time for hands-on practice in the classroom. The hospitals and medical facilities that were available had many techs in the Radiology department that were happy to help the students learn. After graduating I continued my studies to get a Bachelor’s Degree before I started working in the field. I would absolutely recommend this program to anyone interested in this field.” -Student at Eastern Florida State College
    stars-5

    Valencia College
    1800 S Kirkman Rd
    Orlando, FL 32811
    (407) 299-5000
    https://valenciacollege.edu/

    Student Review: “I am in my second to last semester of the radiologic science bachelor’s degree at Valencia college and couldn’t be happier. All of my professors have been accessible and friendly, the content is interesting and enriching and I feel it is helping me to not only improve but advance in my current field. I feel in time a bachelor’s degree will not only be a plus for the profession, but it will eventually be mandatory. The education I am receiving is helping me improve my patient care skills, improving my technical abilities, and overall helping me to be a better employee and technologist. I recommend this program to anyone and everyone I know, it has been an enriching and enlightening experience for me.” -Student at Valencia College
    stars-4

    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: 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