First Comes Initial Certification...

Certification is the process of initially recognizing individuals who have satisfied certain standards within a profession. A person is certified by ARRT after graduating from an approved educational program, complying with the ethical and character standards, and passing a certification exam. Certification, without registration, does not authorize an individual to use the R.T. designation or to use the ARRT credential. Certification in bone densitometry is limited to five years. Recertification repassing the exam in bone densitometry will be required to renew registration after five years. [Please note: Effective July 1, 2003, the ARRT temporarily suspended the re-examination requirement pending an evaluation of the need for mechanisms to assure continued qualifications more generally. Those already certified or becoming certified in bone densitometry during the period of suspension will be subject to re-certification requirements as determined by the ARRT upon lifting of the suspension.]

Then Comes Annual Registration

Registration is the annual procedure required to maintain registration of the certification. ARRT registrants are those who, having already fulfilled the requirements for initial certification, continue to meet the requirements for annual registration. The ARRT annually registers the certificates of individuals who meet the following three criteria: agreeing to comply with the ARRT Rules and Regulations, continuing to comply with the ARRT Standards of Ethics and meeting the Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of Registration.

Only technologists who are currently registered — have renewed within the past year — may designate themselves as ARRT Registered Technologists and use the initials "R.T." after their names.

Some employers and state agencies may require ARRT certification, but not necessarily current registration. Unless they require current registration by ARRT, employers cannot assume that the person has complied with the ethical and moral character requirements or the continuing education requirements.

ARRT provides information on those who meet certification and registration standards. To that end, ARRT verifies the status of only those certificates that are currently registered; ARRT provides no information on individuals who are not registered. Individuals who are not registered are not authorized to use the R.T. designation.

To ensure that they have the most information including skills and ethics qualifications of a technologist, employers should require current registration with the ARRT.

Credential

Certification

Registration

Timing

Initial

Annual

Meaning

Individual has satisfied standards (listed below) for specific profession

Individual has satisfied standards for initial certification and for continued registration

Education

Graduate from approved educational program

Meets continuing education requirements

Ethics

Meets ARRT Standards of Ethics

Meets and agrees to comply with ARRT Standards of Ethics

Examination

Passes certification examination

No examination required

Fee

One-time payment of fee

Annual payment of fee

Duration

Permanent unless revoked by ARRT

Renewable each year

Documentation

Certificate

Current credential card

Metaphor

One is "certified" to drive a car after passing driver's test

One must periodically renew one's driver's license to be "registered" to drive a car