ARRT PRIMARY PATHWAY · CURRENT THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2027
ARRT Radiography Study Center
Use ARRT’s current content specifications to organize review for the Radiography certification exam. The current outline covers patient care, safety, image production, and procedures; a revised version takes effect March 1, 2027.
START WITH THE VERSION FOR YOUR EXAM DATE
The ARRT Radiography exam at a glance
ARRT’s current outline is based on entry-level radiography tasks. It applies through February 28, 2027. The primary eligibility pathway also includes education and ethics requirements, so check ARRT’s current handbook for application rules.
One important date: The current outline remains in effect through February 28, 2027. Revised Radiography content specifications start March 1, 2027. Check the version that applies to your appointment.
MAP THE 200 SCORED ITEMS
Current Radiography exam content areas
These counts and percentages follow the ARRT outline in effect through February 28, 2027. The percentages are planning weights based on scored-item counts, not a predicted score.
Area 1
Patient Care
33 · 16.5%
Prepare across patient interactions and management.
- Ethical and legal aspects
- Communication, patient education, and safe handling
- Monitoring, infection control, hazardous materials, emergencies, and pharmacology
Area 2
Safety
50 · 25%
Review radiation science and the ways radiographers reduce exposure.
- Radiation physics and radiobiology: 21
- Radiation protection: 29
Area 3
Image Production
51 · 25.5%
Connect acquisition choices and equipment operation to image quality.
- Image acquisition and evaluation: 26
- Equipment operation and quality assurance: 25
Area 4
Procedures
66 · 33%
Study positioning, anatomy, adaptations, and image evaluation across regions.
- Head, spine, and pelvis: 18
- Thorax and abdomen: 20
- Extremities: 28
The four areas total 200 scored items. ARRT also includes 30 unscored pilot items.
A BLUEPRINT CHANGE IS SCHEDULED
What changes on March 1, 2027?
ARRT has approved revised content specifications for exams beginning March 1, 2027. The scored-item total remains 200, but the distribution changes. Use the new outline only when its effective date applies to your exam.
Through Feb. 28, 2027
Current outline
200 scored
Patient Care 33 · Safety 50 · Image Production 51 · Procedures 66
Subcategory counts: 33; 21 and 29; 26 and 25; 18, 20, and 28.
From Mar. 1, 2027
Revised outline
200 scored
Patient Care 31 · Safety 46 · Image Production 51 · Procedures 72
Subcategory counts: 31; 21 and 25; 26 and 25; 20, 22, and 30.
Keep your materials aligned. The updated outline changes several topics as well as the category weights. ARRT’s current Radiography page links both versions and explains their effective dates.
MAKE YOUR REVIEW PRACTICAL
A study plan built around the outline
Use the official content map as a checklist, then connect each topic to your program materials, lab work, and instructor guidance.
Confirm your outline
Match your exam date to the current or March 2027 version before you set a topic list.
Map each area
Break Patient Care, Safety, Image Production, and Procedures into smaller review blocks.
Explain your choices
For positioning, protection, and image-quality topics, say what you would check and why, using your program’s authorized materials.
Keep an error log
Record the topic, the reasoning step you missed, and the next action for your review.
GO TO THE SOURCE
Official ARRT resources
ARRT maintains the Radiography requirements, content specifications, eligibility guidance, and score information. Use these documents to verify details for your own exam date.
Official sources checked October 14, 2026. ARRT requirements, schedules, and documents can change; confirm the current version before applying or scheduling.
QUICK ANSWERS
ARRT Radiography exam questions
How many questions are on the Radiography exam?
How long is the ARRT Radiography exam?
What are the four current Radiography content areas?
What changes on March 1, 2027?
What score do I need to pass?
Which eligibility pathway applies to Radiography?
Is this the Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam?
OTHER EXAM CENTERS
Check the right exam outline
ARRT offers distinct exams for radiography and other imaging disciplines. The Limited Scope of Practice in Radiography exam is a separate state-licensing route. Browse the Online Centers directory for other available study centers.
KEEP THE CURRENT GUIDE CLOSE
Turn the outline into your next review session
Choose one task from the version that matches your exam date. Review it with your program materials, then note what to revisit before moving to another area.
Check ARRT’s Radiography requirements ↗
This independent study center does not contain practice questions and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ARRT. ARRT is the source for current certification, eligibility, examination, and score requirements.
Source note
- ARRT Examination Content Specifications—through February 28, 2027 — current scored-item counts and outline.
- ARRT Radiography Content Specifications 2027 — effective date and upcoming content distribution.
- 2026 Primary Eligibility Pathway Handbook — exam time, appointment, and score requirements; plus the ARRT Radiography credential page.
This page offers general study guidance. ARRT is the authority for current Radiography requirements and examination policies.