The ARRT CE Biennium Explained: A New Grad's Guide
June 25, 2026
Every ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologist must complete 24 CE credits every two years. Your biennium starts the moment you pass your boards. Here is what new grads need to know about the CE cycle, deadlines, and how to find approved credits before your first deadline arrives.
The moment you pass your ARRT boards, your continuing education clock starts. Most new radiologic technologists do not think about the ARRT CE biennium until the renewal deadline is approaching, and by then cramming 24 credits into a short window is stressful and expensive. Here is how the biennium works and how to stay ahead of it from day one.
What the ARRT CE Biennium Is
A biennium is a two-year continuing education cycle. Every ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologist is required to earn 24 approved CE credits per biennium, regardless of how many ARRT credentials they hold. The only exception is sonographers with an ARRT Sonography credential, who have different requirements. Registered Radiologist Assistants (RRAs) must complete 50 credits per biennium.
When Your Biennium Starts and Ends
Your biennium is tied to your birth month, not to when you passed your exam. The cycle runs from the first day of your birth month in one year to the last day of the month before your birth month two years later.
Example: if you were born in October and passed your boards in June 2026, your first biennium runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2028.
This means if you pass your exam in a month far from your birth month, you may have a shorter first cycle. Check your specific dates in your ARRT account and do not assume you have a full two years.
What Counts as an Approved CE Credit
ARRT recognizes two categories of continuing education activities:
- Category A: Structured educational activities with a post-assessment, offered by ARRT-approved CE sponsors. Most online CE courses fall here. Up to 12 of your 24 required credits may be Category A+, which are ARRT self-developed activities.
- Category B: Less structured activities such as journal reading, in-service education, or attending professional conferences without a formal post-test. These have a lower per-credit value and can only satisfy a portion of your requirement.
ARRT maintains a searchable CE database at apps.arrt.org/FindCE/, where you can filter by modality, credit type, format, and number of credits.
One Rule New Grads Often Miss
You cannot repeat a CE course within the same biennium and receive credit for it twice. Plan your credits across the two-year cycle rather than taking the same courses back-to-back.
ARRT CE Biennium Quick Reference
| Credential Type | Credits Required | Cycle Length | Tied To |
|---|---|---|---|
| R.T. (any modality) | 24 credits | 2 years | Birth month |
| R.R.A. | 50 credits | 2 years | Birth month |
How to Stay Ahead of Your Deadline
The simplest system: complete 4 CE credits every 4 months. That pace spreads 24 credits evenly across the biennium, keeps cost low, and ensures you are never in a deadline crunch. Log each credit in your ARRT account as you complete it.
What Happens If You Miss Your Deadline
Failure to complete and report your CE credits by your biennium deadline results in your credential lapsing. A lapsed credential means you cannot legally practice in your credentialed role until it is reinstated. Reinstatement requires completing the CE requirement plus paying a reinstatement fee. Most employers will not hold your position while your credential is lapsed.
Your Credential Is Leverage
Keeping your credential current is not just compliance. Imaging vacancy rates remain elevated across nearly every modality, and a credentialed technologist in good standing is negotiating from a strong position.
When you are ready to use your credential to find your first or next role, RadiologyJobs uses intelligent matching to connect imaging professionals with positions suited to their specific modality and career stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many CE credits do I need per ARRT biennium?
Most ARRT-credentialed radiologic technologists must complete 24 approved CE credits per two-year biennium, regardless of how many ARRT credentials they hold.
When does my ARRT biennium start?
Your biennium is tied to your birth month. It begins on the first day of your birth month after you earn your credential. Check your specific dates in your ARRT account.
Where do I find ARRT-approved CE courses?
ARRT maintains a searchable database at apps.arrt.org/FindCE/. You can filter by modality, credit type, format, and number of credits.
Can I take the same CE course twice in one biennium?
No. ARRT does not allow the same CE activity to be repeated for credit within the same biennium.
What happens if I let my ARRT credential lapse?
A lapsed credential means you cannot legally practice until it is reinstated. Reinstatement requires completing the CE requirement plus a reinstatement fee.