The ARRT radiography exam is 230 questions, administered over 4 hours and 10 minutes at a Pearson VUE test center. If you have studied and earned your eligibility, the exam itself is the last variable, and it does not need to be one. Here is exactly what happens from the moment you arrive.

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What do you need before scheduling the exam?

You cannot schedule your exam until ARRT issues your Candidate Status Report (CSR). Submit your application through your ARRT account; your CSR arrives within 2 business days online or by mail for paper applications. The CSR contains your ARRT ID number and your specific exam window, both required to book through Pearson VUE. Once eligible, you have 3 years and 3 attempts to pass.

What should you bring to the ARRT exam?

Two forms of acceptable identification are required. The first must be government-issued with a photo and signature (driver's license, passport, or military ID). The second can be a credit card or secondary ID with a matching name. The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your ARRT registration. If it does not, call ARRT at 651-687-0048 before exam day.

Leave everything else in your car or a locker. No phones, no notes, no food or drinks in the testing room. Wear layered clothing because test room temperatures vary and you cannot leave to retrieve a jacket.

What happens during check-in?

Arrive 15 to 30 minutes early. You will present both IDs, complete a palm vein scan, and have your photo taken. The proctor will inspect your pockets and wrists. Personal items go into a provided locker. You will be given scratch paper or an erasable whiteboard for notes during the exam.

What is the ARRT exam format?

The ARRT radiography exam contains 230 questions. Thirty of those are unscored pilot questions. They look identical to graded questions and you will not know which they are. Passing requires a scaled score of 75 on ARRT's 1 to 99 scale. This is not a percentage, and the exact number of correct answers needed varies by exam version. Total seat time including the orientation tutorial, NDA acknowledgment, and post-exam survey is 4 hours and 10 minutes (250 minutes). Pure testing time is 230 minutes.

ARRT Radiography Exam Structure (Source: ARRT, 2025)
Section	Questions
Patient Care	33
Safety (Radiation Physics and Protection)	50
Image Production	51
Procedures	66
Unscored Pilot Questions	30
Total	230

How should you manage your time during the exam?

You have roughly 60 seconds per question. Flag questions you are uncertain about and return to them. The interface allows you to mark and revisit. Read every question to the end before selecting an answer. Distractors are designed to look plausible. Trust your preparation and do not second-guess answers you were confident about on the first pass.

When do you get your ARRT exam results?

Unofficial pass/fail results are displayed on the Pearson VUE screen immediately after you submit. Official results are posted to your ARRT account within a few business days. If you pass, your credential is active. If you do not pass, ARRT will provide a diagnostic report indicating which content areas need work before your next attempt.

What happens after you pass the ARRT exam?

Passing the ARRT exam begins your biennium, the two-year continuing education cycle tied to your birth month. From the moment you are credentialed, you are responsible for completing 24 CE credits before your biennium deadline. Most new registrants do not think about this until a year in. Start tracking now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my ID name does not match my ARRT registration?

You will not be admitted to the test center. Call ARRT immediately at 651-687-0048 to correct the discrepancy before your appointment.

Can I take a break during the exam?

Yes, but the exam clock does not stop. Any break time comes out of your 230 minutes of testing time.

How soon can I retake if I do not pass?

ARRT requires a waiting period between attempts. You have 3 attempts within a 3-year window from your initial eligibility date.

What is the passing score for the ARRT radiography exam?

Passing requires a scaled score of 75 on ARRT's 1 to 99 scale. This is not a percentage, and the exact number of correct answers needed varies by exam version. The 30 pilot questions are not counted.

How long is the ARRT radiography exam?

The exam is 230 questions with a total seat time of 4 hours and 10 minutes (250 minutes), including the orientation tutorial, NDA acknowledgment, and post-exam survey. Pure testing time is 230 minutes, and it is administered at a Pearson VUE test center.

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