Eligibility Requirements

CRA Exam Eligibility

Eligibility for the CRA exam is based on a point system, with 7 points required to be eligible to take the exam. Points are earned through a combination of experience, education, and/or credentials. Anyone who accumulates the 7 points and submits a complete and valid application with required documentation and fees may sit for the exam.

Experience

Experience points are granted for every year of work experience in a management, supervisory, or administrative role in radiology or medical imaging with responsibility for activities in each of the following domains:

  • Asset Resource Management
  • Fiscal Management
  • Human Resource Management
  • Operations Management
  • Communication and Information Management

Note: Fiscal and Human Resource domain requirements may be met through experience outside of imaging.

Resources

Education

  • Maximum of 4 points
  • Applicants for the CRA exam must have either: (a) at least 1 point earned through education, or (b) have a minimum of 10 years experience without an education point. Points are credited as follows:
Education Discipline Point Value
High School n/a 0
AA or AS degree (non-imaging) Any 1
AA/AS or Certificate program in radiology, MRI, sonography, radiation therapy, or NM Hospital-based or college-based (ARRT, RDMS, CNMT) 2
BA/BS Any 3
Masters or Doctorate degree Any 4

Note: Education points are not cumulative. Only the highest education level applies. For example, if you have both a certificate and a BS degree, you may only claim the 3 points for the BS degree.

Credentials

  • Maximum of 1 point — not required
  • The credential must be imaging related and from a nationally recognized credentialing authority. It must be current at the time you take the CRA exam. Examples include:
    • ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
    • ARDMS (American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers)
    • NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board)
    • RCC (Radiology Certified Coder)

Plan Your CRA Application and Exam: Exam Dates and Locations