VI (ARRT) - Registered Technologist in Vascular-Interventional Radiography (ARRT)

The Registered Technologist in Vascular-Interventional Radiography (R.T.(VI) certification offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), is a specialized credential for radiologic technologists working in the field of interventional radiography. This certification signifies proficiency in performing diagnostic and therapeutic vascular interventional procedures, which include catheterizations, angioplasties and stent placements.

Eligibility

Candidates earn R.T.(VI)(ARRT) credentials through the postprimary eligibility pathway, meaning they must hold a credential through ARRT in a supporting category. For vascular-interventional radiology, the only category is R.T. in Radiography. To earn the R.T.(R)(ARRT) credential, candidates must:

• Earn an associate degree or higher in any subject from an accredited institution recognized by ARRT 

• Can be before, during or after the completion of a radiography program

• Beginning January 1, 2025, a degree must be earned no more than 3 years after completing a radiography education program

• Complete an educational program in radiography

• Apply for ARRT certification and registration within 3 years

Once the applicant has their primary registration and certification, to earn R.T.(VI)(ARRT) certification, they must also:

• Meet structured education requirements (16 hours earned within 2 years prior to applying)

• Meet clinical experience requirements (200  repetitions of vascular interventional radiography procedures, within 2 years prior to applying and with a maximum of 10 procedures logged daily)

• Demonstrate good moral character and answer ethics-related questions

Completion Time: 3.5 hours

Cost: Primary application: $225 / Re-application: $200

Exam Format

You have three years and three attempts to pass ARRT’s R.T.(VI) exam. It’s a computer-based test administered by Pearson VUE and includes 160 scored questions and 50 unscored questions. Scored content includes the following number of questions in these categories:

• Patient Care: 22

• Image Procedures: 26

• Procedures: 112

You have 3.5 hours to complete the exam, but the entire appointment time is about 4 hours. The additional time includes an 8-minute tutorial, 2 minutes to sign the nondisclosure agreement and a 10-minute survey.

You receive a preliminary score at the end of the exam that doesn’t indicate whether you passed or failed. Within 30 days, you receive an official score report in the mail from ARRT. The Verify Credentials page on ARRT will reflect your certification and registration status within approximately 4 weeks of completing your exam. 

ARRT uses a scaled scoring system, not raw scores. You must earn a scaled score of 75 or greater to pass. If you fail on your first or second attempt, a reapply button appears on your ARRT dashboard to allow you to apply to take the exam again. If you fail a third time, you’re no longer eligible to sit for the exam and receive details in your account on how to requalify.

Application Process

1. Create an account on arrt.org

2. Access the postprimary documentation tool

3. Follow on-screen instructions

4. Request ADA accommodations if applicable

5. Sign the Agreement of Candidates

6. Submit application and fee

7. Receive Candidate Status Report

8. Wait 24 hours to schedule your examine

9. Take the R.T.(VI) certification exam within the 365-day window

Vascular-Interventional Radiography RTs must renew their credentials every year, complete continuing education every 2 years and fulfill continuing qualification requirements every 10 years. Annual renewal requirements include being current on your biennial continuing education (CE) requirements. The annual renewal deadline is always the last day of your birth month and can be completed online. 

Renewal Fees

• First Discipline: $30

• Additional Disciplines: $15

• First Discipline without ARRT supporting category: $45

• Additional Disciplines without ARRT supporting category: $15

Maintaining R.T.(VI)(ARRT) certification requires ongoing education in radiographic science, technology updates and patient care, with continuing education (CE) requirements every 2 years. CE can be achieved through workshops, seminars, approved online classes and self-study, with 24 CE hours required. Report CE activities every 2 years by the last day of the month prior to your birth month every other year as part of the annual renewal process. Your CE deadline and annual renewal deadline are different dates.

The ARRT offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Postprimary Eligibility Pathway Handbook

• VI Clinical Experience

• VI Content Specification

• VI Education Requirements

• VI Task Inventory

Before pursuing the R.T.(VI)(ARRT) credential, applicants must earn the R.T.(R)(ARRT) credential first. After earning primary eligibility pathway registration and certification, applicants can pursue other credentials through ARRT. Currently, it supports 14 additional credentials besides vascular-interventional radiography in a range of disciplines, including:

• Bone Densitometry (BD)

• Breast Sonography (BS)

• Cardiac Interventional Radiography (CI) 

• Cardiovascular Interventional Radiography (CV)

• Computed Tomography (CT) 

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 

• Mammography (M) 

• Nuclear Medicine Technology (N)

• Quality Management (QM)

• Radiation Therapy (T) 

• Radiography (R)

• Registered Radiologist Assistant (R.R.A.) 

• Sonography (S)

• Vascular Sonography (VS)