Before You Enroll: What Every Future Radiologic Technologists Needs to Know
Understanding accreditation, state approval, and what protects your license
🩺 Why I’m Writing This
If you’re in a radiologic technology program—or thinking about applying—this message is for you.
In the last week, I’ve received messages from students asking questions like:
“I thought my school was accredited—why can’t I get licensed now?”
“How do I know if my program will lead to a license where I live?”
“What’s the difference between JRCERT and ARRT again?”
These aren’t just good questions—they’re essential.
A recent decision in New York made it clear: accreditation alone isn’t always enough.
Licensing depends on multiple approvals, and if one piece is missing, students can find themselves with a degree… but no clear path forward.
🎓 Let’s Clear This Up
When you’re choosing a radiologic technology program, it’s easy to assume that “accredited” means “approved.” But here’s what you really need to understand:
🧾 The Four Layers of Approval
✅ Institutional Accreditation (e.g., ACCSC, SACS, HLC)
This allows a school to operate, receive financial aid, and offer degrees.
✅ Programmatic Accreditation (e.g., JRCERT)
This applies to specific programs—like radiography, MRI, or radiation therapy—and often includes stricter clinical and curriculum requirements.
✅ Certification Eligibility (e.g., ARRT)
Passing the ARRT exam allows you to earn national credentials—but only if your program meets ARRT’s standards.
✅ State Licensure
Each state decides who they’ll license. You may need to graduate from a state-approved or JRCERT-accredited program—even if you passed the ARRT.
📍So What Happened in New York?
Without diving into controversy, here’s what you need to know:
A school that was institutionally accredited and ARRT-eligible was removed from New York’s approved list. As a result, some students found themselves unable to get licensed in the state—even with a valid degree and passing exam scores.
That’s why it’s important to research both accreditation and state approval before you apply.
🧠 What You Can Do Right Now
Whether you’re a student, parent, or advisor—these three steps can save time, money, and stress:
Look up your state’s list of approved programs
Most departments of health publish them online.Ask your school what kind of accreditation they hold
Is it institutional? Programmatic? Both?Confirm ARRT eligibility and licensure alignment
Just because a program prepares you for the ARRT exam doesn’t mean your state accepts it for licensing.
📥 Need help sorting it out?
I created a free guide to help you:
Understand the different types of accreditation
Know what to ask before enrolling
Create a checklist to review any program (community college or private)
Learn what to do if your program loses approval
👉🏽 Download The Radiology Student’s Guide to Choosing a Radiologic Technology Program
Guide for Radiologic Technology Students
👩🏽⚕️ Final Thought
I didn’t write this to scare you—I wrote it to equip you.
Most radiology tech students don’t find this out until it’s too late. But now that you know, you can ask better questions, choose smarter, and feel confident that the school you’re investing in will get you where you want to go.
If you’re navigating this now or helping someone who is, you’re not alone.
You’re just getting wiser.
—Chaun
RT(R)(MR)(CT) | Content Creator | Podcast Host | Author