How Much Does ARRT Certification Cost?

Published on September 30, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: January 2026
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

Certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is one of the most recognized credentials in medical imaging. It signals that a technologist meets standardized educational, ethical, and testing requirements. For candidates preparing to enter or advance in this profession, one of the most pressing questions is financial. How much does ARRT certification cost, both upfront and over time?

The answer involves more than a single exam fee. Initial application charges, annual renewals, post primary credentials, and the occasional late penalty can all add up. Understanding the full structure helps professionals budget properly and avoid unnecessary expenses.

Article Insights

• The ARRT exam application fee is $225.
• Annual renewal is $30 per credential through 2025, shifting to a flat $65 in 2026.
• Postprimary applications can cost up to $450.
• Hidden charges include reinstatement, ethics applications, and retake fees.
• Total ownership costs can reach $3,000–$4,000 over a career.
• Employer reimbursement and tax deductions can significantly reduce expenses.

How Much Does ARRT Certification Cost?

ARRT’s certification application fee costs $225 as of 2025. This is the amount most first-time radiography candidates will pay when they sit for the exam. Post primary credentials, such as MRI or mammography, typically also require a $225 application charge, though some specialized pathways can run closer to $450 depending on eligibility.

Renewal costs are modest compared to the exam itself. At present, technologists pay $30 per year per credential to maintain active status. This means someone holding multiple certifications may pay $60 or $90 annually. However, the ARRT has announced a structural change: starting in 2026, the annual renewal will become a flat $65 fee regardless of how many credentials are maintained.

For clarity, here is a concise table of ARRT’s major fees:

This structure makes ARRT certification one of the more affordable professional credentials in healthcare, though costs can still grow when adding multiple modalities.

The primary certification application fee, which covers credentials such as Radiography (R), Nuclear Medicine (N), and Radiation Therapy (T), is typically $225. Postprimary certifications, including specialties like Mammography (M) and Computed Tomography (CT), also cost about $225, while some advanced postprimary certifications requiring supporting credentials (e.g., from NMTCB or ARDMS) may cost up to $450.

Renewal fees for ARRT certification in 2025 generally remain below $50, with the first discipline renewal costing $30 and additional disciplines at $15 each. Online reinstatement for those who do not require re-examination is about $75, while reinstating certification by re-examination costs around $225. Other fees include a $100 charge for ethics pre-application, missed appointment penalties, and continuing education probation fees.

Additional expenses to consider include costs for study materials and preparation courses, which can range from about $50 to several hundred dollars depending on the provider. Continuing education credits, required biennially to maintain certification, may also account for several hundred dollars over the renewal period. Candidates are advised to budget for these additional costs when planning for ARRT certification and ongoing professional compliance.

Real-Life Cost Examples

To see how these fees play out, consider a new graduate in Ohio applying for initial radiography certification in 2025. They would pay $225 for the application. Once certified, they’d owe $30 each year to renew until 2026, at which point the annual fee becomes $65.

Also read our articles on the cost of Medical Coding certification, ITIL certification, or ACLS certification.

Now imagine a technologist in California who wants to add an MRI credential after already holding radiography. Their MRI application would be another $225, and under the current structure, they would owe $60 per year in renewals (two credentials at $30 each). From 2026 forward, their renewal cost drops to a flat $65, effectively lowering their ongoing expense.

A different scenario involves reinstating a lapsed credential. A technologist in Texas who forgot to renew in 2024 would need to pay both the renewal fee and a reinstatement charge that ranges between $75 and $150. Combined with the base $30 renewal, their out-of-pocket could reach nearly $180 just to get back in good standing.

Professionals with multiple credentials sometimes see the sharpest variation. A nuclear medicine technologist with radiography, CT, and MRI certifications currently pays $90 annually to maintain all three. By 2026, that will fall to $65, saving them $25 every year.

Cost Breakdown

The fees can be itemized into distinct categories.

• Application fees:
  • Primary exam: $225
  • Post primary exams: typically, $225, some advanced pathways up to $450
• Renewal fees:
  • Annual cost: $30 per credential through 2025
  • Flat $65 annual renewal starting 2026
• Reinstatement:
  • $75–$150 depending on the length of lapse
• Additional small charges:
  • Ethics pre-application: $100
  • Duplicate certificate: $25
  • Duplicate score report: $15
  • Appeals: $25–$50 depending on type

This breakdown shows that while the main application and renewal are predictable, smaller charges can catch professionals off guard if they misplace paperwork or delay deadlines.

Factors That Influence ARRT Costs

The exact amount an individual pays depends on several factors. The first is the type of credential. A standard radiography application is $225, while advanced post primary pathways can be nearly double. The number of credentials also matters until 2026, when each additional certification increases renewal costs by $30 annually.

Timing plays a role as well. Candidates who apply before fee changes lock in current rates, but those renewing after 2026 must prepare for the $65 flat renewal. This shift benefits those with multiple credentials but increases costs for those with only one.

External credentials also influence expenses. For example, someone holding an ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography) certificate may pursue ARRT post primary approval at reduced fees or require dual renewals if they maintain both.

Alternative Certifications & Their Costs

ARRT is not the only credentialing body for imaging professionals. The ARDMS charges an initial application fee of $150, with exam costs between $225 and $400, and an annual renewal of $95 as of 2024. The NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board) exam fee is $190, with a yearly renewal of $40.

Compared with these, ARRT’s $225 application is in the same range, though its $30 renewal is less than both ARDMS and NMTCB until 2026. After the flat $65 takes effect, ARRT’s cost structure will be higher for single-credential technologists but still favorable for those maintaining two or more.

State-level licenses add another layer. In New York, a radiologic technologist license application is $177, while Florida’s initial licensing fee is $90 plus renewal every two years. Professionals working across states often juggle multiple renewals alongside their ARRT bill.

Ways to Reduce Certification Expenses

Candidates often offset fees with employer programs. Large hospital systems, such as Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, have reimbursement policies for certification expenses. Many cover both the initial exam and annual renewals, saving technologists hundreds of dollars over their careers.

Budgeting early is another strategy. Setting aside $20 a month covers the renewal fee and leaves room for small unexpected charges. Renewing on time avoids the reinstatement penalties that can more than triple the usual annual cost.

Continuing education, which is required to maintain ARRT credentials, can be expensive, but many courses are tax-deductible. Employers often partner with professional associations like the ASRT (American Society of Radiologic Technologists), giving staff discounted or free CE access that indirectly reduces certification maintenance costs.

Expert Insights & Professional Tips

Dr. Melissa Jackman, director of a radiography program at the University of Minnesota, advises students to “treat certification like tuition—budget for it every year, and you won’t be caught off guard.” She encourages graduates to save for both the exam fee and at least two years of renewals.

Experienced technologists echo this advice. Sarah Lopez, a CT technologist in Dallas, notes that “the exam was the big hit, but it’s the small charges that surprise you—missing a renewal email or needing an extra score report.”

Compliance officers in major hospital networks emphasize employer reimbursement programs. According to Cleveland Clinic’s 2024 HR guidance, employees in eligible allied health fields can receive full reimbursement for certification and renewal fees if they remain employed for one-year post-exam.

Total Costs

Direct fees are only part of the expense. Many candidates purchase exam prep resources, ranging from $50 study guides to $400 online review courses. Travel to Pearson VUE centers can add $50 to $150 depending on distance.

Continuing education requirements add another recurring cost. Most technologists need 24 CE credits every two years, which can cost $200–$400 unless covered by employers or associations.

Adding everything together, a realistic projection for a new graduate could be $225 for the exam, $150 for renewals through 2026, $300 in prep materials, and $200 in CE courses over the first two years. That totals around $875. Over a decade, including CE, renewals, and the occasional certificate replacement, the total investment could reach $3,000–$4,000.

Hidden & Unexpected Costs

Beyond the standard fees, technologists should plan for occasional penalties and extras.

• Late renewal: adds $25 to the base fee.
• Lapsed reinstatement: up to $150.
• Ethics pre-application: $100 if required.
• Rescheduling exam: $25–$50 depending on timing.
• Exam retake: another $225 if the first attempt is unsuccessful.

While none of these are guaranteed, they highlight why timely scheduling and careful record keeping help avoid unnecessary expenses.

Financing & Employer Support 

Many allied health employers cover certification fees through tuition assistance. Hospitals often view ARRT credentials as essential for compliance and quality, making reimbursement common. Some programs require passing the exam before reimbursement, while others pay fees upfront.

Tax benefits also help. The IRS allows professional licensing fees to be claimed as job-related expenses if they are necessary for employment. While tax law varies, many technologists deduct renewals and continuing education costs.

Payment planning strategies are straightforward. Setting up a personal savings account specifically for credential expenses helps smooth annual renewals and exam retakes. Professionals adding multiple certifications can stagger them over several years to spread costs.

Answers to Common Questions

How much does the ARRT exam application cost?

The application fee for primary and most post primary ARRT exams is $225 as of 2025.

How much will the annual renewal fee be in 2026?

Starting in 2026, the renewal fee will change from $30 per credential to a flat $65 regardless of the number of certifications.

What’s the cost for reinstating a lapsed certification?

Reinstatement typically costs between $75 and $150, in addition to the renewal fee.

Do fees differ for multiple credentials?

Through 2025, renewals cost $30 each, so multiple credentials increase the total. From 2026 onward, renewals are a flat $65, making additional credentials cheaper to maintain.

Are ARRT fees tax-deductible?

Yes, professional licensing fees can often be claimed as job-related expenses, though eligibility depends on individual tax circumstances.

Sources:

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), 2025 – https://www.arrt.org

American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), 2024 – https://www.asrt.org

ARDMS Certification Fees, 2024 – https://www.ardms.org

NMTCB Fee Schedule, 2024 – https://www.nmtcb.org

Cleveland Clinic HR Reimbursement Policy, 2024 – https://my.clevelandclinic.org