ARRT® Credential Renewal Guide: CE, CQR & Deadlines
- TakeCE Team
- Jul 3
- 7 min read
Quick Answer: How Do I Renew My ARRT® Credential?
To keep your certification and registration active, most R.T.® certificants and registrants must:
Renew annually through their online account.
Complete continuing education every two years.
Earn 24 approved Category A or A+ CE credits each CE biennium, unless a special rule applies.
Report CE credits during renewal when CE reporting is due.
Keep CE certificates in case your records are audited.
Complete CQR if your credential is subject to Continuing Qualifications Requirements.
Check state license rules separately, because state CE requirements may differ from registry requirements.
Annual Renewal, CE, and CQR: What’s the Difference?
Credential maintenance has three main parts. They are related, but they are not the same requirement.
Requirement | How Often | What It Means |
Annual renewal | Every year | Renew your certification and registration and pay the renewal fee. |
Continuing education | Every 2 years | Complete and report approved CE credits during your CE biennium. |
CQR | Every 10 years, if applicable | Complete the Continuing Qualifications Requirements process for eligible time-limited credentials. |
The most common mistake is confusing the CE completion deadline with the annual renewal deadline. CE is usually due before your renewal deadline.
Annual Renewal Deadline
Annual renewal is due by the last day of your birth month.
When your renewal window opens, log in to your online account and follow the steps shown on your dashboard.
During renewal, you may need to:
Confirm your personal information.
Complete required attestations.
Report CE credits if this is your CE reporting year.
Pay the renewal fee.
Save your renewal confirmation.
CE Requirements: How Many Credits Do You Need?
Most R.T.® certificants and registrants need 24 approved CE credits every two years.
Credential Situation | CE Requirement |
Most R.T.® certificants and registrants | 24 Category A or A+ CE credits every two years |
R.T.® certificants and registrants with Sonography | 24 CE credits total; at least 16 must be sonography-specific |
R.R.A.® certificants and registrants | 50 CE credits every two years; at least 25 must be Category A+ |
If you hold multiple credentials, you generally do not complete 24 CE credits for each credential. Your dashboard is the best place to confirm your exact CE biennium, renewal deadline, and reporting status.
What Is a CE Biennium?
A CE biennium is the two-year period when you complete your required CE credits.
For most certificants and registrants:
Your CE biennium begins on the first day of your birth month.
Your CE biennium ends on the last day of the month before your birth month.
Your annual renewal deadline is the last day of your birth month.
Your CE reporting deadline is also the last day of your birth month when CE reporting is due.
Example
If your birth month is March:
Your CE completion deadline is usually February 28 or 29.
Your renewal and CE reporting deadline is March 31.
CE completed in March generally applies to the next biennium, not the biennium that ended in February.
Do not wait until your birth month to complete CE.
What CE Credits Are Accepted for Certification and Registration Renewal?
For most radiologic technologists, the simplest option is to complete Category A or Category A+ CE activities.
Accepted CE may include:
Category A or A+ CE activities approved by ARRT®-approved third-party accreditation mechanisms.
Approved academic courses.
Certain advanced life support courses when accepted under registry rules.
CQR-prescribed CE, if assigned and eligible.
Structured education, when applicable for postprimary credential requirements.
Most R.T.® credentials do not require specific CE topics, but there are important exceptions. R.R.A.® and Sonography credential holders have special CE requirements.
Category A vs. Category A+: Simple Definition
Category A CE means the activity has been evaluated through a recognized CE approval process or accepted through another recognized route.
Category A+ CE is used for certain advanced-level content. R.R.A.® certificants and registrants have specific Category A+ requirements.
For most R.T.® certificants and registrants, both Category A and A+ credits can count toward the standard 24-credit biennial CE requirement.
How to Report CE Credits
CE reporting is completed through your online account during the renewal process when CE reporting is due.
Use the details printed on your CE completion certificate.
For TakeCE certificates, use the following:
Reporting Field | What to Enter |
Course title/name | Course name on the certificate |
Number of CE credits and category | See certificate |
Completion date | Date of completion on certificate |
Approval reference number | Printed in green on the certificate |
CE approver | As stated on the certificate |
Does TakeCE Report CE Credits?
No. For this credential renewal, the technologist is responsible for reporting CE credits directly through the registry’s online account.
TakeCE provides the certificate and reporting information, but you must self-report the CE activity during your reporting window.
You can instantly access your TakeCE CE completion certificate here:
Who Accepts TakeCE Radiology CE Credits?
TakeCE Category A/A+ radiology CE courses are accepted for the ARRT® certification & registration.
Many states also accept CE courses that are accepted for registry renewal, but state rules vary. Some states have specific requirements for:
Course topic
Credit type
Renewal cycle
Reporting method
Digital radiography
Fluoroscopy safety
Radiation safety
Human trafficking training
Before purchasing CE, check both:
Your registry renewal requirements.
Your state radiology license requirements.
This is especially important for states such as California, Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.
What Is CQR?
CQR stands for Continuing Qualifications Requirements.
CQR applies to:
Certificants and registrants who earned an applicable credential on or after January 1, 2011.
All R.R.A.® certificants and registrants.
CQR is completed every 10 years for each eligible credential. The process includes:
Professional Profile
Structured Self-Assessment
Prescribed CE, if assigned
CQR is separate from annual renewal and biennial CE, but CQR-prescribed CE may also count toward your biennial CE when eligible.
CQR Opt-Out Option
You may skip the Structured Self-Assessment and accept the maximum prescribed CE credits for your discipline.
If you choose this option, you must first receive confirmation of approval in your dashboard. Your CQR CE certificates must show completion dates after the opt-out approval date.
For more detail, see: CQR vs. CE Credits: Understanding the Difference.
TakeCE offers CQR CE options for multiple disciplines, including Radiography, CT, MRI, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiation Therapy, Cardiac Interventional Radiography, and Vascular Interventional Radiography.
How TakeCE Simplifies Your CQR Journey
Personalized CQR Calculator (highly recommended)
Every technologist’s SSA results are different. To make sure you only buy what counts, Use our instant CQR Credit Calculator.
Enter the CQR CE credits from your CQR CE prescription, and click Calculate Now. Your low-cost CQR solution and promo code matched to your needs will appear immediately. The offer will cover the CQR categories and credits you entered. These credits may also apply toward your 2-year 24 CE renewal requirement.
Complete CQR Packages (Opt-Out Friendly)
If you prefer to skip the SSA, TakeCE offers ready-made discounted packages that cover the full CQR credits required for your discipline:
✔ Covers the maximum CQR credit requirement
✔ Instant access and certificates
Renewal Checklist
Before your deadline:
Log in to your online dashboard.
Confirm your annual renewal deadline.
Confirm your CE biennium dates.
Complete CE before your CE completion deadline.
Save your CE certificates.
Report CE during renewal if this is your CE reporting year.
Check whether CQR applies.
Check your state license CE rules.
Submit renewal and save confirmation.
Common Renewal Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting Until Your Birth Month to Complete CE
Your CE completion deadline is usually the last day of the month before your birth month.
Assuming TakeCE Reports CE for You
TakeCE provides your certificate, but you must report CE directly through your online account when reporting is due.
Repeating the Same Course in the Same Biennium
Do not claim the same CE activity twice in one CE biennium.
Ignoring State Requirements
Registry and state license rules are separate. A course may meet registry rules but still need to be checked against your state requirements.
Forgetting CQR
CQR applies every 10 years for eligible credentials. Check your dashboard so you do not miss your CQR window.
What Happens If You Miss CE or Renewal?
If you do not complete required CE by the end of your CE biennium, you may be placed on CE probation after renewal.
If you miss annual renewal, your certification and registration may be discontinued. Reinstatement requirements depend on your status and how long the credential has been discontinued.
If you are on CE probation, discontinued status, retired status, or have a special credential situation, contact the registry directly for instructions.
How TakeCE Helps With CE Renewal
TakeCE helps radiologic technologists complete CE online with a simple, self-paced process:
Order your course online.
Study using the course materials.
Complete the open-book test.
Get instant grading.
Download your certificate immediately after passing.
Report your CE using the certificate details.
Popular TakeCE radiology CE categories include:
TakeCE courses are designed for busy imaging professionals who need affordable, online CE without subscriptions or recurring fees.
FAQ: ARRT® Credential Renewal
How often do I renew my credential?
You renew your certification and registration every year by the last day of your birth month.
How many CE credits do I need?
Most R.T.® certificants and registrants need 24 Category A or A+ CE credits every two years. R.R.A.® and Sonography credential holders have additional or different requirements.
When do I report CE credits?
You report CE every other year during your annual renewal process. CE must usually be completed by the last day of the month before your birth month.
Are TakeCE courses accepted for ARRT® renewal?
Yes. TakeCE Category A/A+ radiology CE courses are accepted for the ARRT® certification & registration. Always choose courses that match your credential, state, and any special requirements.
Does TakeCE report my CE credits?
No. You must self-report CE credits directly through your online account. Your TakeCE certificate includes the information needed for reporting.
Where can I find my TakeCE certificate?
You can access your certificate at www.takece.com/myce. Certificates are generated immediately after successful test completion.
What is CQR?
CQR means Continuing Qualifications Requirements. It applies every 10 years to eligible credentials and may include a Professional Profile, Structured Self-Assessment, and prescribed CE.
Complete Your CE Credits Online
TakeCE makes credential renewal simpler with online Category A/A+ radiology CE courses, open-book testing, instant grading, and immediate certificates.
Browse TakeCE Radiology CE courses and complete your CE credits on your schedule.
Disclaimer
ARRT®, R.R.A.®, and R.T.® are registered trademarks owned by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Take CE LLC is not licensed by, endorsed by, or affiliated with ARRT®. For complete requirements, always verify directly with ARRT® and your state licensing board.