West Virginia Radiology Tech Careers and Degrees

Receiving your Radiologic Technologist Training in West Virginia

West Virginia offers several opportunities for training as a radiologic technologist at institutions of higher education. There are several colleges and universities and even medical education centers in the state that offer degree-earning programs to train as radiologist technicians, radiographers or nuclear medicine specialists. A few of these institutions only offer transfer degrees that require separate clinical training at other institutions approved by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). However, full programs are available at Bluefield State College, the University of Charleston and Southern Virginia Community and Technical College.

Most radiology tech programs are accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and are similar in courses and length to the other West Virginia schools. The Associate of Science program in radiologic technology requires the successful completion of 69 credit hours of classroom and clinical education over five semesters, including one summer session. These courses are designed to meet the licensing requirements in the state and the requirements for ARRT certification. However, some colleges also offers a Bachelor of Science program in imaging science with specializations in CT scanning, nuclear medicine or ultrasound.

Radiology Technician Licensing in West Virginia

Each radiology tech working in the state is required to be licensed by the West Virginia Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Board of Examiners. Original licenses require the payment of a $100 licensing fee and are valid for one year while annual renewals require a fee of $65. Other than the fee, the only requirements for licensure are successfully completing a program from any of the accredited radiology technician schools in the nation and passing the state examination, which is administered through ARRT.

Although West Virginia does not require radiologist technicians to be certified by ARRT, it is recommended that all practitioners earn a certificate and remain in good standing with the organization. The requirements for ARRT certification are identical to those of the West Virginia Board of Examiners. The only exception is that the national examination must be passed instead of the state-only examination. However, if taken first, the national examination meets the requirements for state licensing.

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Career Outlook for Radiology Tech Jobs in West Virginia

The career outlook for licensed radiologic technologists in West Virginia is very promising, and it should not take much time or effort for a new graduate to land a solid, entry-level position. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 61 percent of radiologists are employed in hospitals while the rest work in doctors’ offices, medical and diagnostic laboratories, outpatient care centers and government facilities. As of 2010, 219,900 radiologic technologists were employed in the U.S., and this figure is expected to grow by 28 percent through the next decade for a total of 281,000 jobs. This growth rate is extraordinary in that it is double the average growth rate of 14 percent for all U.S. occupations.

The median radiology technician salary in West Virginia as of 2013 was $62,000 per year, which is nearly $8,000 higher than the U.S. median of $54,340 and nearly $23,000 higher than the U.S. median salary for health technologists and technicians.

West Virginia

West Virginia University Hospital Departments of Rad Tech and Nutrition (Morgantown, WV)
Programs Offered:
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Certificate
Radiography Certificate