If you’d like to embark on a career in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), you’ll need to get your MRI certification. Below, we’ll breakdown the steps needed for certification.
Decide on ARRT or ARMRIT Certification
There are two distinct pathways to become certified in the field of MRI. Here are some key differences between ARMRIT vs ARRT MRI certification:
| Feature | ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) | ARMRIT (American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists) |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition | Most widely recognized and accepted in hospitals and clinics across the U.S. | Recognized in some outpatient and private MRI centers; less common in hospitals |
| Eligibility Requirements | Typically requires certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiation Therapy + MRI-specific education and clinicals | Open to individuals who complete an ARMRIT-approved MRI program, even if they are not radiologic technologists |
| Certification Type | General imaging certifying body; MRI is a post-primary credential | MRI-only credentialing body |
| Accreditation | Widely preferred by hospitals, academic centers, and state boards | Some states and employers accept it; others may require ARRT |
| Continuing Education (CE) | 24 CE credits required every 2 years | 12 CE credits required annually |
In general, ARRT is considered the gold standard, especially for hospital and cross-modality careers whereas ARMRIT is the more accessible path for non-radiographers, but with limited recognition in some settings.
Steps to Get Your MRI Certification
| Step | ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) | ARMRIT (American Registry of MRI Technologists) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Meet Eligibility Requirements | Must already be certified in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiation Therapy (for Post-Primary Pathway) or if new to imaging (for Primary Pathway), must complete an ARRT-approved educational program in MRI (associate degree or higher), or be trained in a military program that meets ARRT’s requirements. | Must either be a graduate of an ARMRIT-approved MRI program, have military training that meets ARMRIT’s requirements, or on-the-job experience (4,000+ hours). |
| 2. Complete MRI Education | 16+ hours of ARRT-recognized structured MRI education required. | Must complete a formal MRI program or prove training (typically 1,000+ hours didactic + clinical). |
| 3. Gain Clinical Experience | Must document 125+ clinical MRI procedures across required categories, supervised by a registered MRI technologist. | Clinical training included in ARMRIT-approved programs OR validated job experience (4,000+ hours). |
| 4. Apply for Certification Exam | Apply through ARRT’s website; submit clinical log and education verification. | Apply via ARMRIT’s website with transcript or experience documentation. |
| 5. Pass the MRI Exam | Computer-based exam (~200 questions). Covers physics, procedures, safety, anatomy, and patient care. | Computer-based exam. Focuses on MRI physics, anatomy, scanning procedures, and safety. |
| 6. Maintain Certification | Renew annually; complete 24 CE credits every 2 years. | Renew annually; complete 12 CE credits per year. |
MRI Certification Courses and Preparation
ImagingU, the world’s leading MRI and CT education platform offers an online MRI Post-Primary Pathway Certification. This course is designed to help students pass the MRI registry and fulfill the post-primary eligibility pathway requirements set by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The course offerings cover all core content required by ARRT:
- MRI physics
- Pulse sequences
- Patient care
- Anatomy and pathology
- Safety and screening
ImagingU also offers dedicated MRI registry review materials, including:
- Practice exams and quizzes
- Animated lectures and image-based case studies
- Topic-specific review modules aligned with the ARRT exam outline
This helps users master test content and build confidence for exam day.
The Online Advantage
With ImagingU, learners can move at their own pace and review the material as much as they’d like. It’s also presented in multiple formats — such as animations, visual aids, and slides — that are more engaging and interactive than a typical textbook. Not only does this encourage students with different learning styles to absorb the information, but it also supports knowledge retention.
Whether you’re new to healthcare or already working in the imaging field, ImagingU’s MRI certification programs are the perfect way to prepare for your certification exam.
Ready to sign up? Explore our complete collection of MRI courses. Have questions or want to learn how to bring online MRI courses to your organization? Get in touch through our contact form.