ARMRIT vs ARRT (MR)
Two organizations certify MRI technologists in the US. This page only states what each registry's official pages say. Checked 2026-10-24.
Not legal or licensing advice. Laws and board rules change. Always confirm with the state licensing board before you take a job or apply. "Not confirmed" means we have not found an official state source that answers the question; it does not mean no license is required. Employers and accreditors may require ARRT (MR) or ARMRIT even where the state does not.
| ARMRIT | ARRT (MR) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, a not-for-profit that certifies MRI technologists (source) | American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; MRI is one of its disciplines (source) |
| Ways to qualify | Per ARMRIT's 2026 application: graduate of an ARMRIT-accredited MRI program, applying within 3 years of graduating (at least 1,000 documented MRI clinical hours); graduate of a USDOL registered apprenticeship, within 3 years of graduating (2,000 hours); graduate of a non-ARMRIT state-licensed MRI program, within 3 years of graduating (2,000 hours); cross-trainer from another imaging or allied health field (2,000 hours); or on-the-job equivalency (4 years / 6,240 hours, or an associate degree plus 2,000 hours); foreign medical graduates can also apply, with their education evaluated by a U.S. organization (source) | A primary eligibility pathway (education program) or a postprimary pathway for ARRT R.T.s and for NMTCB or ARDMS credential holders, with structured education and clinical experience requirements (source) |
| Accredited schools | ARMRIT's Commission on Accreditation lists its accredited MRI programs (source) | Not compared here (not confirmed) |
| Recognition ARMRIT lists | ACR MRI accreditation (as of Sept 17, 2020), The Joint Commission, IAC, RadSite, the VA, and several states (source) | — |
| Named in state MRI licensing rules | All 6 confirmed licensing states in our table (NH, NM, ND, OR, WA, WV) name both ARRT (MR) and ARMRIT. See the state table. | |
What we don't say
We don't rank the credentials or say which employers prefer which. Employer-by-employer acceptance is not confirmed yet.
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