Radiologic Technology, AAS

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After completing prerequisites, students apply for admission to the Radiologic program.

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See approved General Education list for the AAS Degree.

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 See program recommendations or requirements.

Radiologic Technology Program Information

The TMCC Radiologic Technology Program prepares the graduate to practice as a registered radiologic technologist. The program meets the minimum degree requirements for the Associates of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree. The AAS degree in radiologic technology is awarded upon completion of the curriculum and the student will be eligible to apply to take the national certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiography.

After passing the ARRT certification examination the graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in the state of their choice. Each state has specific criteria for licensure eligibility. It is the student's responsibility to contact the state to ascertain eligibility requirements. Graduation from an accredited program and passing the ARRT certification examination may not be the only requirements of certain states and does not mean automatic licensure. The State of Nevada does not currently have licensure requirements for technologists however, most hospitals and clinics where radiography is performed requires employees to be ARRT certified.

The ARRT adheres to a strict code of ethics. The purpose of the ethics requirement is to identify individuals who have internalized a set of professional values that causes one to act in the best interests of the patient.The ARRT Standards of Ethics provides proactive guidance on what it means to be a qualified radiographer and to motivate and promote a culture of ethical behavior with the profession. The ethics requirements support the ARRT's mission of promoting high standards of patient care by removing or restricting the use of the credential by those who exhibit behavior inconsistent with the ethics requirements.

Graduates from TMCC’s Radiologic Technology Program are eligible to apply for and take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Examination for Radiographers. The ARRT is the only organization granting permission to take the examination. Persons with prior felony or misdemeanor convictions may be admitted to the program but may be prohibited by the ARRT from taking the examination due to the ethics requirements. The ARRT will conduct a pre-application review to determine the impact of a conviction on eligibility. Pre-application Review Forms may be requested from the Department of Regulatory Services at the ARRT office, 651-687-0048.

Background Check and Drug Testing

The hospitals associated with the program require a background check and drug testing to insure the safety of the patients treated by program students. Students selected for the program will be required to comply prior to starting the program (instructions to be provided by the program director after being selected for admission to the Radiologic Technology Program). If a student background check is unsatisfactory to the facility they are assigned or has an unsatisfactory drug test, the student will not be permitted to participate in the clinical portion of the program. Students will be withdrawn from the program if clinical requirements are not able to be met for any reason. TMCC will not be responsible for students obtaining background checks and will not receive the results of any background investigations.

Accreditation 

Truckee Meadows Community College is fully accredited by Northwestern Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). NWCCU is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education (USDE). The JRCERT is a programmatic accrediting body recognized by the USDE to accredit radiography programs. Both accrediting agencies are acceptable to the ARRT which allows students to sit for the national certification examination in radiography.

Admission to the Radiologic Technology Program

The Radiologic Technology Program begins each fall semester. Admission to the program is limited and requires specific admission requirements and procedures. Students are selected by means of a formal program application and the calculation of assigned points. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the beginning of the program.

Program Application Process

Complete the following:

• Submit an application for admission to the College.
• Have completed the following courses with a grade of “C” or better.

  Course List

  Code	Title	Units
  BIOL 190A	Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology	3
  BIOL 190L	Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory	1
  BIOL 223 & BIOL 224	Human Anatomy and Physiology I and Human Anatomy and Physiology II 1	8
  ENG 100	Composition Enhanced	3
  or ENG 101	Composition I
  or ENG 113	Composition I for International and Multilingual Students
  MATH 120	Fundamentals of College Mathematics (or higher)	3
  RAD 101	Exploration of Radiology 1	1
  Total Units		19

   

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  Must have been completed in the past five years with no more than two attempts including Audits and Withdrawals

• Document completion of Certified Nursing Assistant Training (CNA) within 5 years with no more than two attempts within the same 5 years including Audits and Withdrawals.
• Submit official transcripts of all previous college education to the records office.
• Have a minimum grade point average of 2.7 in all coursework applying to the Associate of Applied Science Radiologic Technology Degree.
• Submit an official transcript showing proof of high school graduation or official results of high school equivalency to admissions and records (persons with a recognized degree exempt).
• Schedule and complete the HESI pre-admission entrance exam.  Information regarding the HESI Entrance Exam as well as the online registration for the exam can be found at www.tmcc.edu/radiologic-technology-application-information/pre-admission-testing.
• Complete and submit the online Radiologic Technology Program application. The application can be found on the radiologic technology website at www.tmcc.edu/radiologic-technology-application-information/application.  

All application requirements must be submitted online by May 28th of the current year.

Selection to the Radiologic Technology Program will be based on information obtained from the admission requirements and the number of points the applicant receives. Eligible students will be numerically ranked according to total points. Points will be awarded for a previously completed degree, credentialed health occupation, completion of general education degree requirements, HESI score, prerequisite GPA, and support area. Admission will be offered to the applicants on the list with the highest points. The point system can be found at www.tmcc.edu/radiologic-technology. In the event of applicants having an equal number of points, the students’ HESI score will be used to break the tie. If the HESI score does not resolve the tie, lots will be drawn to decide selection. Selection to the Radiologic Technology Program is done on an annual basis. Applicants not selected must reapply for consideration the following year.

Acceptable Alternative Documentation for CNA

• Completion of a radiography program that is not ARRT certified.
• Completion of a registered nursing program
• Completion of the EMT, Paramedic or Medical Assistant programs is no longer acceptable.

Note: CNA or nursing courses from other accredited colleges may be acceptable, but must be approved by TMCC. These courses must be documented through official transcripts on file with TMCC’s records office before applying to the program. Certification is not required however the courses must be eligible to take the state licensure examination. Any alternative documentation for CNA must be approved by the radiologic technology program director before it is submitted with the application. 

After Acceptance to the Program

After selection for admission, in response to a letter from the program director, the student will provide documentation of the following prior to the first day of class:

• Evidence of current major medical insurance coverage.
• Evidence of two negative TB skin tests done within the past year within 3 months of each other (persons with prior positive TB test must see program director).
• Evidence of required immunization status for hepatitis B, Varicella, MMR, TDAP or TD, influenza, and Covid-19 vaccination.
• Evidence of a current Health Care Provider CPR card (preferably from the American Heart Association).
• Complete an Essentials Function form for Clinical Education.
• A background check (instructions to be provided by the program director).
• A drug test (instructions to be provided by the program director).