Radiology Tech Schools in Louisiana

  • According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Louisiana has 11 educational institutions that provide radiography programs, including radiologic technology, radiation protection, and radiobiology(1).
  • Some Louisiana institutions accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology include Delgado Community College, Louisiana State University, and McNeese State University.
  • The University of Holy Cross, North Oaks Medical Center, and Delgado Community College offer programs with high credential exam pass rate, job placement rate, and completion rate(2).
  • According to the United States (US) Bureau of Labor Statistics, rad techs in Louisiana earn an annual mean wage of $52,090(3).
  • In Louisiana, the highest-paid radiologic techs are in New Orleans and Metairie. Rad techs in the two cities have an annual average salary of $56,250(4).

List of Accredited Radiologic Tech Programs in Louisiana

The National Center for Education Statistics lists 11 institutions in Louisiana that offer the following programs:

  • Radiologic Technology
  • Radiobiology
  • Radiation Protection
  • Radiography(5)

Most of the institutions in the state offer accredited programs. The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) grants accreditation to programs in radiography, medical dosimetry, magnetic resonance, and radiation therapy.

The committee calculates the program effectiveness data, which includes the program’s completion rate, credential exam pass rate, and job placement rate. 

JRCERT publishes its findings on its website, www.jrcert.org.

The following schools offer JRCERT-accredited programs in Louisiana. The program effectiveness data is based on JRCERT’s latest findings(6). The data was retrieved on Sept. 14, 2020. 

School, Location Program Program Duration Application Requirements Program Effectiveness Data
Completion Rate % Credential Exam Pass Rate % Job Placement Rate %
Baton Rouge General Medical Center, Baton Rouge Certificate 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

56.27 88 100
Delgado Community College, New Orleans Associate of Applied Science  24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

85 98.64 94.56
Certificate 16 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

100 95 95
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Baton Rouge Associate in radiologic technology 21 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

82 89 100
Louisiana State University Alexandria, Alexandria Associate of Science in radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

88 72 100
Louisiana State University Eunice, Eunice Associate of Science in radiography 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

69 94 99
McNeese State University, Lake Charles Bachelor of Science in radiography 28 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

75 97.87 100
North Oaks Medical Center, Hammond Certificate 24 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

92 98.20 100
Northwestern State University, Shreveport Bachelor of Science in Radiography 29 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

75 89 100
Southern University at Shreveport, Shreveport Associate of Applied Science 27 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

57 87 99
University of Holy Cross, New Orleans Bachelor of Science in radiography 21 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

62.50 100 100
University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe Bachelor of Science in radiography 21 months High school GED

Prerequisite courses

82.76 89.60 94.25

Certificate/Diploma

Baton Rouge General Medical Center offers a certificate program in radiologic technology. The program seeks to offer education and training needed for students to start their education in diagnostic imaging.

The program also seeks to prepare students interested in continuing education designed for new and experienced imaging technologists.

Delgado Community College offers a certificate program in radiation therapy. The program provides education and training in both the classroom and clinical settings. 

Students under the program have broad exposure to various types of equipment in unique practice settings.

North Oaks Medical Center has a certificate program in radiologic technology. The program aims to prepare students in entry-level positions in the medical imaging field.

The program coursework includes clinical practice, fundamentals of radiologic science, and human anatomy and physiology.

Associate’s Degree

Delgado Community College offers an associate’s degree program in radiologic technology.

Graduates are eligible for advanced training and certification to work in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography, cardiac interventional radiography, bone densitometry, nuclear medicine technology, radiation therapy, and sonography.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University has an associate’s degree program in radiologic technology

The program provides students with lab and clinical experiences essential to their desired career path. The university offers financial aid and scholarships to students.

Louisiana State University Alexandria has an Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology program

The program accepts up to 32 students. It aims to prepare students for careers as radiology technicians and technologists. 

Louisiana State University Eunice offers an associate’s degree program in radiologic technology. The university aims to enhance health care in local and regional communities by producing radiology graduates with diverse and qualitative education.

Southern University at Shreveport offers a radiologic technology program that involves diverse instructional methods.

The program aims to promote an environment that develops critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and cooperative learning.

Bachelor’s Degree

McNeese State University offers a bachelor’s degree program in radiologic sciences. Under the program, students learn to provide patient care as part of a healthcare team.

The program teaches students to conduct diagnostic imaging procedures while minimizing the risks of radiation use.

Northwestern State University offers a bachelor’s degree program in radiologic sciences. The program accepts up to 78 students.

Graduates of the program can practice cardiovascular-interventional radiography, mammography, MRI, CT, and medical equipment sales.

The University of Holy Cross has a bachelor’s degree program in radiologic technology. Coursework includes human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and radiologic technology.

The University of Louisiana Monroe offers a bachelor’s degree program in radiologic technology. Students under the program learn in an X-ray laboratory equipped with a computed radiography (CR) system, a conventional film system, a C-Arm, and a darkroom with an operating processor.

Accreditation of Radiology Programs in Louisiana

Students have to complete an accredited program to be eligible for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) exam.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) awards accreditation to education programs in health sciences.

The following institutions in Louisiana offer radiology programs accredited by CAAHEP:

  • Baton Rouge Community College
  • Delgado Community College
  • Louisiana State University Eunice

The Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) is responsible for awarding accreditation to postsecondary nuclear medicine technology programs. 

In Louisiana, Delgado Community College is one of the institutions that offers a JRCNMT-accredited radiography program.

Radiography Programs vs. Radiology Programs

Most educational institutions in Louisiana offer radiography programs. The program directors teach and train students to become competent radiographers.

Educational programs for radiographers typically focus on the production of medical imagery production using diagnostic imaging equipment. Aspiring radiographers may take one to four years to complete a program.

Coursework usually includes radiation safety, anatomy, medical ethics, pathology, patient care, and radiation physics.

Graduates of radiography programs may begin their careers as radiologic technicians and technologists.

Radiographers may specialize in various medical imaging procedures, including mammography, X-ray, MRI, and positron emission tomography (PET).

Radiographers may develop medical images to help radiologists. However, they are not authorized to diagnose medical conditions or prescribe a treatment.

Meanwhile, radiology programs are for medical professionals who want to specialize in using radiation to diagnose and treat patients. 

Radiologists may specialize in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, or radiation oncology. 

Radiologists also have to complete more training and education compared to radiographers.  They spend approximately 15 years in academic and clinical training.

Unlike radiographers, radiologists have to complete a residency program to gain more experience and learn advanced imaging procedures. They also have to take more examinations before becoming a board-certified radiologist.

Radiologists interpret medical images produced by radiographers, like X-ray, CT, and MRI technicians.

Radiologists can also help referring physicians in diagnosing medical conditions. They can also advise physicians in planning radiation therapy treatments for cancer patients.

How Does One Become a Radiologic Tech in Louisiana?

After completing an accredited radiography program, students have to take and pass the ARRT exam. Becoming certified makes applicants eligible to take the state licensing exam.

In Louisiana, radiologic technologists and technicians are required to have a license to work in the state. The Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners processes license applications and license renewals.

After securing a Louisiana license and ARRT certification, medical practitioners must apply for renewal every two years. Radiologic technologists and technicians in Louisiana are required to complete 24 credit hours of continuing education to be eligible for license renewal.

How Long Does It Take to Be a Radiologic Tech?

A radiography program can take up to one year to 4 years to complete, depending on the student’s level of credential desired. 

Students taking certificate programs have to complete one year of training. Meanwhile, students taking associate’s degree programs have to complete two years of training.

A Bachelor of Science degree in radiologic technology takes four years to complete.

After graduating from radiologic technology programs, students also have to take the exam for national certification. Radiographers in Louisiana are also required to take and pass the licensure exam to work in the state.

Radiology Requirements in Louisiana

Aspiring radiologist assistants, radiation therapists, radiologic technologists and technicians, nuclear medicine practitioners, and fusion imaging technicians must pass the ARRT exam before applying for a state license.

After becoming ARRT-certified, they have to take and pass the state licensing exam to receive a license from the Louisiana State Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners

A radiographer in Louisiana has to renew their license every two years.

Career Opportunities for Radiologic Techs in Louisiana

Hospitals, private physician offices, medical facilities, and imaging centers in Louisiana hire radiologic technologists and technicians.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, institutions in Louisiana have employed 3,030 radiologic techs as of May 2019(7).

During the same year, employers hired 210 radiation therapists, 1,110 diagnostic medical sonographers, 420 nuclear medicine technologists, and 710 MRI technologists(8).

Cities in Louisiana with a high employment level for radiologic techs include Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Metairie, Shreveport, and Bossier(9).

Licensed radiographers in Louisiana can send their resumes to St. Tammany Parish Hospital, Baton Rouge General Hospital, North Oaks Health System, Lafayette General Medical Center, Diagnostic Imaging Services and Imaging Center of Louisiana.

Salaries of Radiology Techs in Louisiana

According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), the average starting salary for a radiographer in the US is $57,865 as of 2019(10).

In Louisiana, radiologic technologists and technicians have an annual mean wage of $52,090(11).

The highest-paying cities are New Orleans and Metairie, where rad techs earn an annual mean salary of $56,250(12).

Other cities with high wages for rad techs include Baton Rouge, Hammond, and Monroe(13).

Employers in Louisiana are hiring radiologic technicians with an average salary offer of $36.35 per hour(14).

In Kenner, employers hiring X-ray technicians are paying an average of $39.38 per hour. In Shreveport, recruiters hire X-ray techs with an average pay of $38.02 per hour(15).

X-ray tech employers in Metairie are paying $35.67 per hour, while recruiters in New Orleans pay $34.83 per hour(16).

Conclusion

Louisiana has several institutions that provide educational programs in radiologic technology, radiation protection, and radiobiology.

The Delgado Community College, Louisiana State University, and McNeese State University are some educational institutions that offer JRCERT-accredited programs.

The University of Holy Cross offers a radiography program with a 92.30% completion rate, a 100% exam pass rate, and a 100% job placement rate(17).

North Oaks Medical Center and Delgado Community College also offer radiography programs with high program effectiveness data(18).

As of 2019, radiologic techs in Louisiana have an annual mean wage of $52,090(19).

The highest-paid radiologic techs in Louisiana are in New Orleans and Metairie, with rad techs in these cities earning an annual mean salary of $56,250(20).


  1. National Center for Education Statistics. College Navigator. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=LA&p=51.0907+26.0209+51.0916+51.0911+51.0814&l=91+92+93+94
  2. Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Accredited Educational Programs. Retrieved from https://portal.jrcertaccreditation.org/accredited-educational-programs/search
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. Retrieved from https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/geoOcc/Multiple%20occupations%20for%20one%20geographical%20area
  4. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics. May 2019 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm
  5. NCES. College Navigator. op. cit.
  6. JRCERT. Accredited Educational Programs. op. cit.
  7. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. op. cit.
  8. Ibid
  9. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics. op. cit.
  10. Houston Chronicle. The Average Starting Salary for a Radiologic Technologist. (July 2020). Retrieved from https://work.chron.com/average-starting-salary-radiologic-technologist-3783.html
  11. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. op. cit.
  12. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics. op. cit.
  13. Ibid
  14. Indeed. How Much Does an X-ray Technician Make in Louisiana? Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career/x%20ray-technician/salaries/LA
  15. Ibid
  16. Ibid
  17. JRCERT. Accredited Educational Programs. op. cit.
  18. Ibid
  19. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics Query System. op. cit.
  20. BLS. Occupational Employment Statistics. op. cit.
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