Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in Tennessee

There are numerous colleges and universities in Tennessee where you can earn a degree or certificate in radiologic technology. The following overview of radiologic technologist and technician schools in Tennessee provides the information you need to make an educated choice. Online radiologic technologist and technician schools can also provide avenues for earning a degree or certificate and may offer greater flexibility, reduced commuting times, and opportunities for independent study that can be a match for your educational needs. Read about the difference between radiology technologists and radiology technicians. Read on to discover further information about careers in radiologic technology and radiologic technologist and technician schools in Tennessee, including a table of rad tech programs, student reviews, and salary data.

Quick Facts

• There are 11 not-for-profit colleges and universities with radiologic technology degree programs in Tennessee.¹
• 4 schools offer a certificate program in radiologic science.¹
• 7 schools offer an associate’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• 3 schools offer a bachelor’s degree in radiologic science.¹
• No schools offer a master’s or advanced degree in radiologic science.¹
• 9 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).²
• 4 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).³
• 3 schools have medical imaging programs accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).⁴

Table of Contents

• Tennessee Medical Imaging Schools Comparison
• Select Schools in Tennessee with RT Programs
• How to Become an RT in Tennessee
• Tennessee RT Salary and Job Outlook
• Tennessee RT Career Interview
• Student Reviews

Tennessee Medical Imaging Schools Comparison

We have designed the following table to allow you to easily compare all the not-for-profit radiologic technology and medical imaging programs in Tennessee on a variety of factors. You should check with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners to ensure that the program you are considering will meet licensure requirements.

• — indicates none.
• N.Av. indicates no data available.

Select Schools in Tennessee with Radiology Technologist Degree Programs

Columbia State Community College

Columbia State Community College’s (CSCC) competitive Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology incorporates on-campus coursework and clinical rotations at local hospitals and medical facilities. The majority of clinical rotations take place during day shifts, but students must also work the evening shift for at least a portion of each assigned clinical rotation. Applications for the program are due October 15. The application process is highly competitive; to be considered for an interview, prospective students must have a GPA of 2.5 or above, have completed CSCC’s course Introduction to Medical Imaging with a grade of “C” or higher, and meet other prerequisites including college-level courses in Human Anatomy and Physiology. CSCC reports a high historical job placement rate for graduates in recent years; some graduates go on to earn bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges and universities.

Southwest Tennessee Community College

Southwest Tennessee Community College (STCC) offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiologic Technology that is designed to prepare competent, entry-level radiographers. Successful applicants to the seven-semester program begin their studies in the summer with two courses: Radiographic Procedures and Intro to Radiography. A combination of coursework, on-campus labs, and clinical rotations prepare students to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam and to begin work in entry-level radiology technologist positions. Students will begin their first clinical rotation at a local hospital or facility during the first fall semester and complete a clinical rotation each semester thereafter. During the summer between the first and second years of the program, students will complete two clinical rotations, requiring 35 hours of work a week, across the two summer sessions. Prospective students must therefore be prepared to commit to the program full-time. Admission requirements include a GPA of at least 2.5; completion of the courses Introduction to Medical Imaging and Medical Terminology with a grade of “C” or better; and an acceptable score on the Health Occupations Aptitude Exam (HOAE).

Volunteer State Community College

Volunteer State Community College (Vol State) features a two-year program leading to the Associate of Science (AS) in Radiologic Technology. Students must first complete general education requirements, which generally takes two semesters, prior to applying to and beginning the five-semester radiology technology program, which combines intensive radiology coursework with clinical rotations. Students should be prepared to be on campus or at a clinical rotation Monday through Friday with a full-time schedule. Students also complete a 32 hour per week clinical rotation during the summer between the first and second year of the program. The summer clinical rotation may require students to work, in addition to typical day shifts, designated weekend and evening shifts. Successful applicants to the program are notified of their acceptance in July and will begin the program in August. Only 30 students are accepted to the program each year under the competitive admissions process, which considers letters of recommendation, GPA, and performance in prerequisite courses, among other factors.

How to Become a Radiology Technologist in Tennessee

As of late 2023, Tennessee did not have a process for radiologic technologists and technicians (RTs) to be licensed, although rule changes were pending with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners (TBME). The proposed rules would require ARRT certification for prospective radiologic techs, which is also a typical preference of employers. Following are the steps to ARRT certification, though you should check with the TBME for up-to-date information on state-level rules.

1. Graduate from a diploma, certificate, or degree program in a radiologic modality. To qualify for ARRT certification, which is a licensure requirement, the program must meet ARRT education requirements for the modality that you wish to practice and you must have at least an associate degree. The associate degree can be from the same program as the training in your modality, but does not have to be.
2. Take the ARRT certification exam. Candidates must pass the specific ARRT certification exam(s) for each modality that they wish to practice.
3. Apply for ARRT certification. ARRT certification is not automatic upon passing the required exams.
4. Meet continuing education requirements. ARRT-certified radiology techs must complete 24 continuing education credits every two years to renew and maintain their certification.

The TBME licenses Limited X-ray Machine Operators (LXMOs). LXMOs may take x-rays of designated parts of the body while under supervision. LXMOs must have passed the ARRT Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam and be ARRT-certified as limited scope operators. After meeting these requirements, prospective LXMOs may apply to the TBME for a license.

Tennessee Radiology Tech Salary and Job Outlook

Projections call for job growth of 15.6% for radiologic technologists and technicians in Tennessee between 2020 and 2030.⁵ This is higher than the expected job growth of 8.6% nationwide for radiologic techs between 2020 and 2030.⁵ There are an estimated 4,850 radiologic technologist and technician positions in Tennessee.⁶ The annual average salary for radiologic technologists in Tennessee is $58,630.⁶ Although the BLS does not track occupational data for x-ray technicians, technicians typically earn less than RTs due to the lower educational requirements and work responsibilities. Radiologic technologists and technicians generally secure employment in hospitals, physicians’ offices, imaging facilities, and other medical facilities. Organizations that hire radiologic technologists and technicians in Tennessee include Chattanooga Imaging, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Diagnostic Health, Baptist Memorial Health Care, Vanderbilt University, Summit Medical Center, and Hickman Community Hospital.

Tennessee Radiologic Technologist Salary by Metro Area

Tennessee Radiologic Technologist Career Interview

• Miranda Lester, Tennessee Radiologic Technologist

Student Reviews

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Baptist Health Sciences University
003 Monroe Ave
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 575-2247
https://www.baptistu.edu/

Student Review: “Overall the Radiography program is great. I was super excited when I got accepted. I love the fact the instructors are so hands-on with us. What I do not like is the fact that we are thrown into our clinical’s as soon as we began. We barely have any training and we are expected to learn as we go. I feel that they should train us a little better before we are thrown to the wolves. Other than that, the program is amazing. I cannot wait until I am finished so that I can start making money doing it.” -Student at Baptist Health Sciences University

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology Program Effectiveness Data: https://www.jrcert.org/program-effectiveness-data/
3. Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs: https://www.caahep.org/students/find-an-accredited-program
4. Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology: https://www.jrcnmt.org/programs/
5. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm
6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages 2019, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292034.htm
7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates 2019: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm