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United States · Certification exam

ARRT CT certification: the postprimary computed tomography credential

Computed tomography (CT) is a postprimary credential from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), so you add it on top of a first credential such as Radiography. Before you apply for ARRT CT certification, you complete 16 hours of structured education and a set list of clinical procedures. The exam has 165 scored questions and follows content specifications that took effect on September 1, 2026.

  • 16 hoursStructured education before you apply
  • 75%First attempts passed in 2025
  • 195 minutesTest time, for 195 questions
Where to study

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

Who can earn the ARRT CT certification?

You need a supporting credential in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology or Radiation Therapy. For Nuclear Medicine Technology it can come from ARRT or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). Then, within the 24 months before you apply:

  • Complete 16 hours of structured education aimed at the CT content specifications, with at least one credit in each major content category
  • Perform and document the clinical procedures in ARRT’s CT Clinical Experience Requirements, and have a verifier confirm them

ARRT doesn’t accept remote scanning: you must be at the facility with the patient and equipment. Structured education can also count toward your biennial continuing education. The application fee is higher if your supporting credential is from NMTCB.

ARRT: Computed Tomography ↗ARRT: Structured education ↗ARRT fees, including postprimary →All ARRT credentials and their letters →

What the ARRT CT exam covers

The CT content specifications effective September 1, 2026 split the 165 scored questions like this:

SectionQuestions
Patient interactions and management21
Radiation safety and dose21
Image formation30
Image evaluation and archiving22
Head, spine and musculoskeletal25
Neck and chest22
Abdomen and pelvis24

The exam adds 30 unscored pilot questions, for 195 in 195 minutes. ARRT’s postprimary handbook books 215 minutes in all, with the tutorial, nondisclosure agreement and survey. SI (International System of Units) units are the main units of radiation measurement.

ARRT: CT content specifications, effective September 1, 2026 (PDF) ↗

CT pass rate and practice

In 2025, 4,966 people took the CT exam for the first time and 75% passed, with a mean scaled score of 79.3, ARRT’s annual report says. The passing score is the same scaled 75 as every ARRT exam.

For practice, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) offers a CT SEAL (Student Exam Assessment Library) of five 85-question tests. ARRT endorses no review products.

ARRT exam prep options →ASRT: Exam preparation ↗

Applying for CT

If you’re already an ARRT technologist, log in and choose Pursue Postprimary under Complete Business. You log your structured education and clinical procedures in ARRT’s online postprimary tool. NMTCB credential holders who aren’t ARRT technologists start with ARRT’s online account access form.

ARRT: 2026 Postprimary Eligibility Pathway Handbook (PDF) ↗
Sources: ARRT · ASRT and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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