Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Maine

The following guide to radiologic technologist and technician schools in Maine is designed to help you make an informed decision on the best school for you. Maine’s colleges and universities offer a range of programs in radiologic technology, from general practice in radiography to specialized study in areas like diagnostic sonography and mammography. You can also consider online radiologic technologist programs for earning a degree or certificate in this field. Some students find that an online format is a more convenient and efficient way to earn an education that will support their future careers. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Learn more about radiologic technologist schools in Maine and potential career tracks by continuing below to our table of rad tech programs, profiles of select schools, and career and salary information.

Quick Facts

• There are 5 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Maine.¹
• 1 school offers a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 5 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 2 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.¹
• 4 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• No 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

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

Maine 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 Maine on a variety of factors. You should check with the Radiologic 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 Maine with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Eastern Maine Community College

Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) offers an Associate of Science (AS) in Radiography that qualifies graduates to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and pursue licensure in the state of Maine. The program is available through either a two-year or a three-year track and is divided between on-campus study and clinical rotations. Students will take classes such as Principles of Imaging Physics, Pathology, and Imaging Modalities. Clinical rotations take place at sites such as Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. Students will perform clinical rotations two to four days a week, primarily during daytime and evening hours. To gain entry into the program, applicants must complete prerequisite courses, pass an admission exam, and attend an information session.

Kennebec Valley Community College

Students in Kennebec Valley Community College’s (KVCC) 73-credit hour Associate of Science (AS) in Radiologic Technology program can earn their degree in as few as five semesters, including one eight-week summer session. To be accepted to the program, students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and receive a satisfactory score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. Radiologic technology coursework is combined with clinical rotations to prepare students to begin work in entry-level positions after graduation. Students take classes in Radiographic Positioning; Ethics and Quality Assurance; and Radiographic Physics. Students will be assigned to five different clinical sites to complete their clinical education requirements. KVCC is affiliated with several area medical facilities, such as Northern Light Inland Hospital, Northern Light Mayo Hospital, Togus VA Medical Center, and Northern Light CA Dean Hospital. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, with a minimum grade of “C” in all program courses. Graduates are eligible to take the ARRT certification exam and apply for RT licensure in Maine.

Maine College of Health Professions

The Maine College of Health Professions (MCHP) features an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology program that combines clinical education and classroom coursework. The full-time, five-semester program requires students to take on-campus classes two days a week and attend clinical rotations three days a week. Students will take courses such as Radiographic Quality Assurance, Radiographic Pathology, and Applied Physics. Beginning in the first semester, students will travel to clinical sites such as Down East Community Hospital, Bridgton Hospital, and Southern Maine Healthcare. Clinical rotations typically occur during the day; however, radiology technologist students must also complete some evening and night shifts. Admission to the program is selective, with only 24 students in each cohort. Applicants must have completed the prerequisite courses with a “C” or higher. Graduates of the program are eligible for certification by the ARRT and licensure in Maine. MCHP also offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Medical Imaging and Advanced Certificates in Computed Tomography (CT), Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Mammography.

Southern Maine Community College

Graduates of Southern Maine Community College’s (SMCC) Associate of Science (AS) in Radiography are eligible to sit for the ARRT certification exam and to apply for licensure in the state of Maine. The four-and-a-half semester program requires applicants to complete the necessary prerequisites in English, math, and anatomy and receive a satisfactory score on the entry exam. Students must take 80 credit hours to complete the program, including classes such as Radiographic Procedures, Radiographic Exposure, and Principles of Quality Assurance. In addition to radiography coursework, the program places students in hospitals and orthopedic offices in Portland and throughout Southern Maine, providing hands-on experience in a variety of radiologic tasks.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Maine

The Board issues radiologic technologist licenses to radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, and radiation therapy technologists in the state of Maine. The Board requires rad techs to receive a professional credential from either the ARRT or the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB) before being licensed. Attaining a professional certification and licensure in Maine requires the following steps:

1. Complete an accredited education program in a radiologic discipline. Candidates for certification and licensure must first complete an approved educational program in their chosen discipline. Certification by the ARRT also requires an associate’s degree or higher, which may either be in radiologic technology or a different field. These may, but are not required to, be the same program.
2. Pass a certification exam. The Board requires candidates to pass a professional certification exam. Candidates seeking licensure as nuclear medicine technologists may take either the ARRT or NMTCB exams, but all other candidates must take the ARRT exam in their discipline.
3. Apply to the Board for a license. Applications for licensure may be completed online or sent by mail and require applicants to submit proof of professional certification and any fees along with the application.
4. Maintain and renew your license. Rad tech licenses are renewed biennially on August 31 of even years. Licensees must complete 24 hours of continuing education for every two-year renewal period.

Prospective limited-scope x-ray technicians may choose to apply for a Limited Radiographer (LR) license. LRs may perform x-ray examinations of select areas of the body under supervision. Prospective LRs must have completed an approved education program in x-ray technology that includes clinical training logs meeting Board requirements. Applicants must also have completed a Processor Quality Control Program and be able to provide a letter of recommendation for licensure from a licensed supervising practitioner. Candidates who meet these requirements must first apply for permission to sit for the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam. Once this exam has been passed, the candidate may apply for the LR license.

Maine Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Projections call for job growth of 1.7% for radiologic technologists and technicians in Maine between 2020 and 2030.⁵ That’s considerably lower than the expected job growth of 8.6% for radiologic technologists and technicians nationwide in the same 10-year period.⁵ The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of 2022, an estimated 1,040 radiologic techs were working in Maine.⁶ As of 2022, rad techs in Maine earned an average annual wage of $66,750.⁶ 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. Maine Medical Center; Northern Light Acadia Hospital; Pen Bay Medical Center; MaineGeneral Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging; the Department of Veterans Affairs; and Northern Light Mercy Hospital are among the hospitals, medical facilities, imaging centers, and private doctors’ offices that employ radiologic technologists and technicians in the state.

Maine 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