- Various educational institutions in North Carolina offer radiology-related programs to individuals interested in pursuing medical imaging jobs such as radiologic technologists or X-ray technicians.
- X-ray technicians and radiologic technologists in North Carolina do not need a separate license from the state(1). On the other hand, employers typically seek ARRT-certified radiologic technologists.
- As of May 2022, X-ray technicians in North Carolina have an estimated annual salary of $58,357(2). X-ray technicians with more than ten years of experience might make up $69,684 each year.
List of X-Ray Colleges in North Carolina
Several institutions in North Carolina provide medical imaging programs that can assist job seekers in obtaining radiology or imaging-related employment, such as X-ray technicians or radiologic technologists (also called rad techs). The following are some of these schools:
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 398-7900 - Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
2855 Hickory Boulevard, Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 726-2200 - Cape Fear Community College
411 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
(910) 362-7000 - Carolinas College of Health Sciences
1200 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203
(704) 355-7689
- Carteret Community College
3505 Arendell Street, Morehead City, NC 28557
(252) 222-6000
- Catawba Valley Community College
2550 US Hwy 70 SE, Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-7000 - Duke University School of Medicine
2301 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705, United States
(919) 684-2711 - Edgecombe Community College
225 Tarboro Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27801
(252) 823-5166
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28303
(910) 678-8400 - Forsyth Technical Community College
2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
(336) 723-0371 - Guilford Technical Community College
601 East Main Street, Jamestown, NC 27282
(336) 334-4822 - Johnston Community College
245 College Road, Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-3051 - Randolph Community College
629 Industrial Park Avenue Asheboro, NC 27205
(336) 633-0200 - Robeson Community College
5160 Fayetteville Road, Lumberton, NC 28360
(910) 272-3342 - Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (North Campus)
1333 Jake Alexander Boulevard S, Salisbury, NC 28146
(704) 216-7222 - Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (South Campus)
1531 Trinity Church Road, Concord, NC 28027
(704) 216-7222 - Sandhills Community College
3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374
(910) 692-6185 - South College-Asheville
140 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 398-2500 - Stanly Community College
141 College Drive Albemarle, NC 28001-7458
(704) 982-0121 - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
216 Lenoir Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
(919) 962-2211 - Vance-Granville Community College (Main Campus)
200 Community College Road, Henderson, NC 27537
(252) 492-2061 - Wake Technical Community College
9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 866-5000 - Wilkes Community College
1328 South Collegiate Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 838-6100
Programs and Course Information
Radiology programs to become X-ray technicians or radiologic technologists differ in coursework and duration.
The North Carolina colleges and universities offer radiologic science degree programs listed below, including the length of the program, the program’s success in job placement, and passing credentialing examinations(3):
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Program: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Radiography
Duration: 40 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 95%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%
- Completion Rate: 74%
-
-
- Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 40 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 100%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 75%
- Completion Rate: 35%
-
- Cape Fear Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 37 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 96.6%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%
- Completion Rate: 84%
-
- Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Program: AAS in Radiologic Technology
Duration: 36 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 98%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%
- Completion Rate: 72%
-
- Carteret Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 44 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 98%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98%
- Completion Rate: 83%
-
- Catawba Valley Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 28 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 98%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 97%
- Completion Rate: 80%
-
- Edgecombe Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 40 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 97.4%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 83.6%
- Completion Rate: 69.2%
-
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 60 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 92%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98%
- Completion Rate: 69%
-
- Forsyth Technical Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 71 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 98%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94%
- Completion Rate: 84%
-
- Guilford Technical Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 36 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 93%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94%
- Completion Rate: 61%
-
- Johnston Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 64 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 91.8%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 97%
- Completion Rate: 77.4%
-
- Pitt Community College
Program: Certificate in Radiation Therapy Technology
Duration: 32 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 95%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 86%
- Completion Rate: 92%
-
- Randolph Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 36 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 95%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 81%
- Completion Rate: 81%
-
- Robeson Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 22 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 94.7%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 92.5%
- Completion Rate: 87.5%
-
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 64 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 99%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%
- Completion Rate: 83%
-
- Sandhills Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 36 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 96%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96%
- Completion Rate: 77%
-
- South College – Asheville
Program: AAS in Radiologic Technology
Duration: 29 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 84%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 73%
- Completion Rate: 80%
-
- Stanly Community College
Program: Associate in Radiologic Technology
Duration: 40 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 98%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 98%
- Completion Rate: 45%
-
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Program: Bachelor of Science in Radiography
Duration: 40 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 100%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 96%
- Completion Rate: 94%
-
- Vance-Granville Community College
Program: AAS in Radiologic Technology
Duration: 68 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 95%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 94%
- Completion Rate: 65.6%
-
- Wake Technical Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 77 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
-
- Job Placement Rate: 91.5%
- Credential Examination Pass Rate: 100%
- Completion Rate: 80%
-
- Wilkes Community College
Program: AAS in Radiography
Duration: 20 months
Program Effectiveness Data:
-
- Completion Rate: 60%
X-Ray Technician vs. Radiology Technologist Program
Many radiology-related courses differ from school to school. However, programs leading professions such as a radiologic technologist or X-ray technician are often similar(4).
Still, a notable distinction above is that radiologic technology programs often require at least two years to complete. This curriculum entails working in a medical setting that involves radiographic procedures and hours of intense fieldwork, such as clinical rotations and patient care.
However, based on the school, X-ray technician school programs can last anywhere from nine months to two years.
For instance, a radiology certificate is a minimum qualification for entry-level work, such as a limited-scope X-ray technician.
What Is an X-Ray Technician?
X-ray technicians produce images of the human body using medical imaging equipment, usually an X-ray machine. Doctors use these photos to identify and treat diseases and injuries.
Technicians may assist in calming down individuals who are undergoing X-ray operations and ensuring that these patients get the minimum radiation exposure necessary to produce high-quality images.
“X-ray tech” and “X-ray technologist” may mean the same profession and are frequently interchangeable(5) terms.
Moreover, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational handbook classifies medical X-ray imaging as a specialization in radiologic technology(6).
Colleges and organizations use the phrases “radiologic technician” and “radiology technologist” interchangeably because these titles generally relate to the same profession(7). Other terms that are similar to these titles include:
- Radiographer(8)
- Radiology tech
- Radiologic tech
Radiologic technologists may specialize in different areas, such as:
- Vascular interventional radiograph
- Mammography
- Sonography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Cardiac-interventional radiography
How to Become an X-Ray Tech in North Carolina
An individual should complete the following steps to work as a radiologic technologist or X-ray technician in North Carolina:
- Earn a high school diploma.
- Accomplish an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree program.
For an X-ray tech, an associate degree typically takes two years to finish, while a bachelor’s degree may take four to five years. - Obtain a license or certification in North Carolina.
Even though the state is interested in passing legislation that would define training and licensure standards for medical imaging specialists, X-ray techs or radiologic technologists do not need to register with a licensing body(9).
However, employers of X-ray technicians or radiology technologists may require their employees to have certification from another state, the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT).
Students and health care professionals in this profession should plan to take the ARRT exam to keep their career options open.
The following is a usual certification procedure for X-ray techs:
- Finish an accredited radiologic technology degree or certificate program: The individual’s training should be appropriate to the radiography the individual wants to practice. Moreover, applicants for ARRT certification must have at least an associate’s degree.
- Register for the ARRT exam and pass it: Prospective radiology techs must pass a test related to the modality they plan to practice, according to the ARRT.
- Apply for ARRT certification: ARRT certification is not automatic. Thus, after passing the exam, the candidate must complete the application process.
- Continued education is necessary. Individuals may have to complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to keep their certification.
Admission Requirements
The standards for admission differ from one school to the other. As a result, students interested in becoming an X-ray technician or other radiology specialist should contact their chosen institution to learn about the program’s prerequisites.
For instance, the Carolinas College of Health Sciences (CCHS) requirements to enroll in the school’s radiologic technologist program include the following(10):
- Application: The applicant must fill out and submit the school’s application form for radiologic technology before the deadline.
- High School Transcripts: The CCHS requires a minimum 2.5 weighted high school grade point average (GPA).
- College Transcripts (if applicable): The school also requires a minimum 2.5 cumulative college GPA.
- SAT or ACT Test Scores: A minimum of 900 on the scholastic aptitude test (SAT) or 19 on the American college test (ACT) is necessary. The school uses only the critical reading and math sections when calculating the SAT score.
The CCHS radiologic technology program has accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)(11).
Additionally, the program awards graduates with an associate of applied science degree. Moreover, graduates are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) national examination(12).
Accreditation
A JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology or radiography program provides the techniques and teaching methods that a student requires to be ready for a future job in radiology.
As per JRCERT.org, JRCERT can accredit educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and medical dosimetry(13).
Completing an authorized program also gives the participant the option to pass the ARRT-administered national registry tests after program completion.
Career Opportunities
Many radiology-related experts work in North Carolina‘s leading healthcare institutions.
The majority of these facilities are in cities like Charlotte and Durham. However, regional physicians’ offices and local clinics offer similar job options.
The following North Carolina healthcare institutions employ certified radiology professionals(14):
- Carolinas Medical Center
1000 Blythe Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28203-5871
(704) 355-2000 - Duke University Medical Center
2301 Erwin Road Durham, NC 27710-0001
(919) 684-8111 - Duke Regional Hospital
3643 North Roxboro Road Durham, NC 27704-2763
(919) 470-4000 - First Health Moore Regional Hospital
155 Memorial Drive Pinehurst, NC 28374-8710
(910) 715-1000 - High Point Medical Center
601 North Elm Street High Point, NC 27262-4398
(336) 878-6000 - Mission Hospital
509 Biltmore Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-4690
(828) 213-1111 - Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
Medical Center Boulevard Winston-Salem, NC 27157-0001
(336) 716-2011
Salary
As of May 11, 2022, the estimated annual salary for an X-ray technician in North Carolina is $58,357(15). X-ray techs with more than ten years of experience may earn up to $69,710 annually.
FDA Recommendations
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that medical imaging specialists follow two guidelines for radiation protection for patients(16):
- Justification: The imaging method should undergo regular evaluation to ascertain if it is more beneficial than harmful. As a result, all ionizing radiation exams are only necessary to resolve a medical issue, treat an illness, or guide treatment.
- Optimization: X-ray exams should apply suitable techniques to deliver the least amount of radiation while still producing an image of sufficient quality for diagnosis or action. This aim may require the X-ray techs to use their mathematical skills and critical thinking.
- Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in North Carolina
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/north-carolina/ - X-ray Technician salary in North Carolina
https://www.indeed.com/career/x%20ray-technician/salaries/NC - Where to Study Medical Imaging in North Carolina
https://radiologyed.org/schools/north-carolina/ - Differences Between Radiologic Technicians and X-Ray Techs
https://work.chron.com/differences-between-radiologic-technicians-xray-techs-25424.html - 5 Differences Between RT (Radiologic Technologist) and LMRT (Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist)
https://www.chcp.edu/blog/5-differences-between-rt-and-lmrt/ - What Radiologic and MRI Technologists Do
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-2 - What’s the Difference Between a Technician and Technologist in Radiology?
https://www.cambridgehealth.edu/blog/whats-the-difference-between-a-technician-and-technologist-in-radiology/ - What Radiologic and MRI Technologists Do
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiologic-technologists.htm#tab-2 - Radiology Technologist Schools and Careers in North Carolina
https://www.radiologyschools411.com/north-carolina/ - Radiologic Technology Program
https://atriumhealth.org/education/carolinas-college-of-health-sciences/academic-programs/radiologic-technology - Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
https://www.jrcert.org/ - Where to Study Medical Imaging in North Carolina
https://radiologyed.org/schools/north-carolina/ - X-ray Technician salary in North Carolina
https://www.indeed.com/career/x%20ray-technician/salaries/NC - Medical X-ray Imaging
https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/medical-imaging/medical-x-ray-imaging#principles